The district shall adopt and maintain a general transit plan for the district. The district may designate one of the transit plans it is otherwise required to prepare as the general transit plan.

The general transit plan, or any element or amendment thereof, shall be adopted in the manner provided in this article.

Before adopting the plan, or an element or amendment thereof, the board shall refer the plan or element or amendment thereof to the advisory commission, if the commission has been established under Article 3 (commencing with Section 102140) of Chapter 4 of this part. Failure of the advisory commission to consider such matters within a reasonable time as established by the board shall not prevent the board from acting under this article.

Before adopting the plan, or an element or amendment thereof, the board shall hold a public hearing. Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given at least 30 days before the hearing. The notice shall be published pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code and written notice shall also be mailed to each city council and board of supervisors in the district. The hearing may be continued from time to time.

The adoption of the general plan, or an element or amendment thereof, shall be by resolution of the board.

The Sacramento Area Council of Governments shall be the long-range planning agency advising the district.