For a city of more than 100,000 people, there are not a lot of options for getting in and out of Chico.

"It takes a lot of effort! I'm always surprised when I fly to an east coast city that I can just step out and get on a bus or train to my destination," said Chico resident Michael Worley.

More than 3,000 people in Butte County work in the Sacramento area.

Add to that thousands of others who travel for business meetings, medical appointments, shopping.

"It's the economic center of the central valley, and to think that thousands of people only have one way to get there - getting on (Highway) 70 and trying not to speed," said Chico City Councilman Karl Ory.

So, the Butte County Association of Governments is working on an inter-city bus system. They've applied for two grants: $2.8 million to buy 5 electric buses, with solar charging stations along the way.

Another $2 million green grant could cover operating costs.

"The more connected we are - better freeways, airports, trains - we're going to prosper as a local community, we're going to stay connected," said Ory.

"We're looking at starting the service here in Chico, then go to Oroville, maybe Marysville and then into Sacramento," said Jon Clark, Executive Director at BCAG.

Clark says these cities can help by starting to think about options for bus stops and park-and-rides.

And other local transportation agencies applying for similar grants are working alongside BCAG to offer interconnecting services across the state, including a passenger train to Oroville in the next 5 years.

"To have the depot which is an iconic train depot, be open again and new service brought up form Bakersfield to Oroville is exciting, not just for Oroville but for the North State," said Oroville Mayor Linda Dahlmeier.

If the grants are award this Spring, the bus system could be up and running by 2019.