DATE
The Honorable Toks Omishakin
Secretary, California State Transportation Agency
915 Capitol Mall, Suite 350B
Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: 2022 Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) Application for the Sonoma Regional Bus and Rail Connectivity Improvements Project
Dear Secretary Omishakin,
_____________________________________ is writing to express our strong support for the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) grant application requesting $24.85 million in funding for the Sonoma County Regional Bus and Rail Connectivity Improvements Project. This project is a collaborative partnership between SCTA, Petaluma Transit, Santa Rosa CityBus, Sonoma County Transit, Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART), and the Mendocino Transit Authority.
Improved bus transit and passenger rail is an essential component of the future of our transportation network, and this critical investment will benefit communities throughout Sonoma County. The proposed projects will enhance connections for residents and visitors traveling within Sonoma County and connecting to the rest of the Bay Area and to the North Coast.
The proposed projects will bring significant benefits for the Northern California Megaregion:
• Procurement of 30 zero-emission buses and associated charging infrastructure • Passenger amenities for Petaluma Transit
• Construction of the SMART Petaluma North commuter rail station • Network integration planning and implementation to build on existing integration efforts between Petaluma Transit, Santa Rosa CityBus, Sonoma County Transit, and to improve connections to SMART, the Mendocino Transit Authority, and other transit operators within Sonoma County
• Reduced air pollution, GHG emissions, and VMT. Improving options for mode shift to bus transit and commuter rail will be essential to meet the goals of SCTA’s 2050 Comprehensive Transportation Plan.
_______________________________ strongly supports this application for improved passenger rail and bus transit. This project is an important strategy to reduce congestion, improve quality of life, promote transit-oriented development, improve access to equity priority communities, and pursue a comprehensive and more sustainable transportation network for our future.
Thank you for considering the SCTA grant application.
Sincerely,