Electrifying the Capitol Corridor would enable fast, frequent travel between the South Bay, East Bay and Sacramento. It would connect the economic and political capitals of Northern California– but powerful interests are pushing unproven hydrogen trains technology that could instead lock in poor train service for decades. The Capitol Corridor is the spine of Northern […]
In board meetings on Wednesday and Thursday this past week, the SamTrans and Caltrain boards acknowledged progress in amendments and negotiations on SB1031, the authorizing legislation for a regional transportation funding measure. The boards retained their positions to oppose the legislation unless amended, with the rationale that this would provide the greatest amount of negotiating
On, Friday April 12, the Metropolitan Transportation Legislation Committee approved a set of proposed amendments to SB1031. The amendments refine the funding formula to ensure funding for all counties including those that have fewer agencies facing post-pandemic fiscal challenges; clean up language about a consolidation study; and set guardrails on MTC’s authority to coordinate service.
Initial analysis from MTC’s Connected Network Plan reveals the service gaps that transit users experience on the southern transbay bridges between San Mateo and Alameda Counties. For the first time in history, the Bay Area is approaching its long-range transportation planning with an assessment of travel demand and the level of service needed to address
At last week’s BART board budget workshop addressing the agency’s financial challenges, a number of BART board members encouraged exploring consolidation with other agencies. Board Chair Janice Li suggested that BART explore expanding the BART district to incorporate San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties into the BART district. Li also encouraged exploring consolidations, especially focusing
Clipper BayPass – the Bay Area’s successful all-agency transit pass pilot – is taking an important step forward, expanding from the first set of institutional customers – public colleges/universities and affordable housing communities – to employers by the end of this year. The program’s first phase is showing impressive results – users with the all-agency
Key decisions about Bay Area rail and transit service will be made in the coming months. Electrified Caltrain service is expected to come online in 2024. Caltrain will start planning its electric service next month, and is rolling out out promotions and programs to regrow ridership. Across the region, plans for a more connected
New polling data from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission shows that voters support transit but want improvements – and there’s a virtuous cycle between better transit and voter support. At its workshop in Napa on April 26, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission discussed the new polling about potential ballot measures for public transportation and housing. Overall, voters
In late February, the BART board held its annual board workshop. Major themes this year were financial stability and improving customer experience to regrow ridership. The need for a sustainable funding strategy including new funding was front and center given the change in work patterns affecting BART revenue. BART’s ridership historically has closely tracked downtown
A new study funded by the State of California concluded that there are potential benefits to be gained from regionalizing capabilities of the region’s fragmented rail system. ‘Regionalized’ capabilities would be led and managed by a single entity across the region. The Regional Rail Partnership Study was conducted by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in partnership
In highly populated areas near railroad crossings, train horns can blare dozens of times a day at up to 110 decibels, disrupting the lives of current residents and making new development near railroads less attractive. The path to quiet zones When passing through at-grade railroad crossings, trains are required by law to blare their horn
What travel needs would be met by a second transbay rail crossing between San Francisco and the East Bay? How might the project benefit or impact equity priority communities? What opportunities for housing and access to jobs? On January 26, transit groups including Friends of Caltrain, San Francisco Transit Riders, Transbay Coalition, Streets for People,
At its July 14 meeting, the AC Transit Board reviewed its priorities for restoring service that had been cut early in the pandemic. Lines that had the highest ridership and serving disadvantaged communities were understandably given high priority. Unfortunately, this leaves the M bus, which had been the only public transit line on the
Free or discount transfers. An all-agency fare cap so you can go anywhere you want with a maximum price for a day, week or month. Go-anywhere passes for people in housing developments, job sites, downtowns, even neighborhoods. Standardized fares for trains, regional buses and ferries. These are some of the options that are going to
Around the world rail services commonly use the same train tracks to serve both regional and local trips. Using the same tracks for more kinds of trips helps to generate high ridership, social and economic benefits, reduce car dependency and increasing access to jobs, housing and educational institutions for residents and travelers alike. For the
On Thursday July 1, the Caltrain board will receive a presentation about its proposed service restoration for August, timed to increase service when BART does. The proposed new schedule addresses popular demand to bring back baby bullet trains. It continues the Covid-era improved connect to BART at Millbrae. It also keeps and improves on
The above photo was an actual slide presented at a February 5th update to advocates regarding VTA’s Fast Transit Program. The program, according to VTA staff, is designed to improve bus speeds on VTA’s existing frequent, high-ridership routes. This includes routes such as the 23 Alum Rock – one of the slowest routes in the
Great news! The language for the bill to improve bus travel times on the Bay Bridge and the approaches has been filled out and is a lot closer to being finalized. You can view the language for the bill, “AB-2824 Bay Bridge Fast Forward Program (Bonta)” here. Before, there was just “placeholder language” which is
Imagine a quick and reliable ride between the East Bay and San Francisco. Imagine healthier air and a reduction in carbon emissions. We want to turn that imagination into a reality. Will you join us?
