AGENDA REPORT CITY HALL - ONE FRANK H. OGAWA PLAZA, 2ND FLOOR - OAKLAND - CA 94612 DAN KALB (510) 238-7001 Councilmember District 1 [email protected] DATE: March 5, 2022 TO: Members of the City Council and Members of the Public FROM: Councilmember Kalb SUBJECT: RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 917 (BECKER) THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TO DEVELOP AND ADOPT A CONNECTED NETWORK PLAN, ADOPT AN INTEGRATED TRANSIT FARE STRUCTURE, DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE, STANDARDIZED REGIONAL TRANSIT MAPPING AND WAYFINDING SYSTEM, DEVELOP AN IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE STRATEGY AND FUNDING PLAN AND ESTABLISH OPEN DATA STANDARDS, AND REQUIRE BAY AREA TRANSIT AGENCIES TO COMPLY WITH THESE NEW SYSTEMS AND PLANS. Dear Colleagues and Members of the Public, It is high-time we address longstanding transit connectivity and equity issues in the Bay Area. Our residents deserve a first-class, seamless experience that improves access to jobs and housing. This is especially important given our region’s overall climate goals and the adverse impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on public transit ridership. As of November 2021, transit ridership recovered to just 40% of pre-pandemic levels, while traffic of the majority of Bay Area bridges exceeded 90% of pre-pandemic levels. I want to thank Senator Becker for putting forth this legislation and the Blue Ribbon Transit Recovery Task Force for its great work in developing the Bay Area Transit Transformation Action Plan. This plan outlines critical elements for a seamless and connected transit experience. Its 27 actions include fare integration, all-agency passes, reduced-cost transfers, and a common fare structure. SB 917 is sponsored by Seamless Bay Area, the Bay Area Council, and TransForm. It is also supported by a broad coalition of Bay Area transit advocates. Assemblymember Bill Quirk, D-Hayward, is a principal coauthor of SB 917. Other coauthors include Senator Bill Dodd, D-Napa, Senator Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Kevin Mullin, D-South San Francisco, Assemblymember Alex Lee, D-San Jose, and Assemblymember Marc Levine, D-Marin County, and Assemblymember Phil Ting, D-San Francisco.
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For questions regarding this report, please contact Councilmember Dan Kalb at [email protected]. . Respectfully submitted, __________________________ Councilmember Dan Kalb
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The Seamless Transit Principles Courtesy of Seamless Bay Area #1: Run all Bay Area transit as one easy-to-use system Public transit must work as one seamless, connected, and convenient network across the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Getting around on transit should be as fast and easy as driving a car. Coordinated bus, rail, and ferry routes and schedules should encourage effortless transfers. Consistent and clear customer information, branding, and maps should make using transit simple and dignified. #2: Put riders first Riders should feel comfortable when using transit and be treated like valued customers. Public transit agencies must do more to listen to riders and continuously improve service. They must prioritize riders’ needs above all else, and overcome all operational, political and bureaucratic barriers to provide an excellent and seamless customer experience.
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#3: Make public transit equitable and accessible to all People of all income levels, ages, abilities, genders, and backgrounds should have access to world-class public transit. People who are the most reliant on transit are best served by a universal, inclusive, regionally integrated, connected system that is used by all. People with limited means to pay for transit should be provided with discounts. #4: Align transit prices to be simple, fair, and affordable Transit should provide good value for money. Fares across the region’s 27 public transit agencies must be aligned into a consistent, fair, and affordable system that encourages using transit for all types of trips and doesn’t punish riders for transferring. Passes offered should work across all transit agencies, and be made available to individuals, employers, and schools to promote transit use.
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#5: Connect effortlessly with other sustainable transportation A person’s journey does not end when they get off a bus or exit a station. Excellent pedestrian, bicycle, and other pollution-free transportation options should seamlessly connect public transit to communities and destinations, supporting door-to-door trips that don’t require a car. #6: Plan communities and transportation together High quality public transit should be at the heart of communities across the Bay Area. Transportation should be closely aligned with our region’s land use, promoting a connected network of transit-oriented, walkable communities that expands access to affordable housing and job opportunities, while reducing car travel and greenhouse gas emissions. #7: Prioritize reforms to create a seamless network A regionally integrated, world-class transit system won’t happen on its own -- it will take leadership, unprecedented levels of cooperation, and changes to existing local, regional, and state policies. The cities, counties, public transit agencies, regional authorities, business leaders,
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advocacy groups and elected representatives of the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California “megaregion” must prioritize the broad public interest and urgently work together collaboratively to advance critical reforms. Our future depends on it!