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A History of Support and Progress

Follow the interactive timeline to see important milestones over the last five-plus decades of transit history, including the Association’s founding in 1965.

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60
Public Pioneers

Following 1956 state legislation permitting the creation of publicly-owned transit districts, the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District takes over from the Key System and its predecessors, which carried passengers via buses, horse-drawn rail, electric streetcars, and ferries over the previous 100 years.

1960 Photograph of streets with buses
61
Rail Line Folds

The interurban Los Angeles to Long Beach passenger rail line, which had opened in 1903, ended service in 1961.

1961 Photo of cars in front of Train at rail station
61
Transit and Housing

Federal Omnibus Housing Act includes loans and grants for transit demonstration projects as part of urban renewal efforts.

Transit and Housing
62
Synchronized Growth

The Federal Aid Highway Act calls for a long-range transportation plan coordinated with anticipated development and a continuing, comprehensive metropolitan transportation planning process carried out cooperatively by the state and local communities for all areas over 50,000 in population.

Synchronized Growth
62
Bonds for BART

Voters approve a bond to build the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) rail system in Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco Counties.

Bonds for BART
63
Taxes for Transit

California's Collier-Unruh Act allows counties to increase the in-lieu tax by one-half cent to develop rapid transit systems.

64
Federal Role Established

The Federal Urban Mass Transportation Act (UMTA) creates a new federal agency and capital funding for transit.

Federal Role Established
64
Birth of the Bullet Train

Shinkansen opens in Japan, offering the first high speed rail service.

Birth of the Bullet Train
64
South State Consolidation

Created by an act of the State Legislature, the Southern California Rapid Transit District takes over bus operations in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange and Riverside counties that were previously operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and ten different private bus operators.

South State Consolidation
65
An Association for Transit

Representatives from transit systems in Oakland, Long Beach, Santa Monica, San Diego, Sacramento, Stockton and Fresno form the California Association of Publicly Owned Transit Systems (CAPOTS). In 1986, the organization changes its name to the California Transit Association.

An Association for Transit
66
USDOT Created

The U.S. Department of Transportation is created by an Act of Congress. The department began operating the next year.

USDOT Created
67
Exclusive Access

The Federal Highway Administration confirms policy allowing reserved lanes for buses on federal aid highways, including the Interstates and permits opening up such lanes to a limited number of other vehicles.

68
Tackling Traffic

The Federal Aid Highway Act is signed. Among the new programs created by the act is the Traffic Operations Program to Improve Capacity and Safety (TOPICS), which provides for traffic operations and management including transit priority treatments and transit stop improvements on urban arterials and local streets.

69
Focus on the Environment

The Federal National Environmental Policy Act is passed, creating federal requirements for environmental reporting and consideration of alternatives

Focus on the Environment
70
Priorities Take Shape

As federal support for transit increases, so do the expectations for transit, not just as a transportation mode but as a symbol of equality, a solution for environmental problems, and a shaper of growth.

70
First HOV Lane

The first high occupancy vehicle lane in California opens on the western approach to the Bay Bridge toll plaza.

70
UMTA Supplement

The Federal Urban Mass Transportation Assistance Act establishes substantial federal funding for transit and guarantees labor protection in negotiations with public transit agencies.

71
TDA to the Rescue

California's Mills-Alquist-Deddeh Act, commonly known as the Transportation Development Act (TDA), is signed into law by Gov. Ronald Reagan. The act creates a Local Transportation Fund in each county, derived from a statewide 1/4-cent sales tax; the new revenues are dedicated to public transit purposes. TDA was later amended to include the State Transit Assistance (STA) program.

72
EOM Objectives Established

The Urban Mass Transportation Administration issues its External Operating Manual, which states that near-term objectives are to increase the mobility of non-drivers and, in larger urban areas, to reduce congestion and improve urban quality of life.

72
BART Begins Service

Revenue service begins on BART – the first computer-controlled mass transit system.

BART Begins Service
73
New Bay Area District

Approved by the State Legislature in 1969 and by voters (on its third attempt) in 1972, the Santa Clara County Transit District takes over three struggling private transit operators and launches service.

New Bay Area District
73
Capital Connections

Sacramento Regional Transit District begins operations.

Capital Connections
73
Funding Alternative

The Federal Aid Highway Act allows urban areas to relinquish funds for Interstate highway projects in return for funds for transit. The act also strengthens the role of metropolitan planning organizations in project selection.

73
Controversial Guidelines

Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act states that no person who is otherwise qualified should be discriminated against in federal-aid projects. The Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) begins developing guidance, issuing a statement first in 1976 and with tougher requirements in 1979, which transit agencies opposed – leading to a court decision that UMTA had exceeded its authority.

Controversial Guidelines
74
Self-Serve Transit

In 1974, Dallas-Ft. Worth opens the first fully automated transit system circulating around the airport, followed in 1975 by a "peoplemover" in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Self-Serve Transit
74
New Federal Mandates

The National Mass Transportation Assistance Act authorizes the use of federal funds for transit operating assistance, mandates an integrated highway/transit 3-C planning process, requires that off-peak fares for the elderly and handicapped be half price, and creates a transit data reporting system.

75
Emphasis on Planning

UMTA and FHWA issue joint highway/transit planning regulations calling for a regional transportation plan that includes both a long- and short-range elements, including actions to make efficient use of road space, reduce demand in congested areas, improve transit services, and increase transit efficiency.

77
Increased Access

Buses with wheelchair lifts installed begin service in San Diego.

Increased Access
77
Combatting Emissions

Federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977 require metropolitan planning organizations to engage in transportation-air quality planning, consider a list of emissions reductions measures including transit investments, and assure regional transportation plans are consistent with air quality plans.

78
New Demands on Rail

UMTA issues a policy on rail transit emphasizing alternatives analysis, demand management, coordinated land use planning for higher densities and urban revitalization, and incremental implementation of usable segments of a planned system.

78
Game Changer

Prop 13 is passed by California voters, sharply reducing property taxes, a major source of local funding for many transit agencies.

78
Key Funding Enhancement

The Federal Surface Transportation Assistance Act includes highways and transit in same legislation for first time. The act includes funding for transit in nonurbanized areas.

79
Reporting Requirements

Federal Section 15 transit reporting requirement goes into effect with over 400 transit operators providing data on ridership, costs and revenues, organizational structure, safety, and operating performance.

79
Insufficient Funds

National Transportation Policy Study Commission issues report stating that funding is insufficient to meet future needs, that government overregulation is impeding private investment, and that federal involvement should be reduced.

79
STA Fund Created

With Gov. Jerry Brown's signature on Senate Bill 620, the Transportation Development Act is amended to create the State Transit Assistance (STA) program, derived from the statewide sales tax on gasoline and diesel fuel, providing formula funding to transit agencies.

80
Integrated Development

SF Muni's Metro Market St. upper level opens in 1980 and full operation begins in 1982; additional projects follow.

81
Earmarks Limit Discretion

Congress begins earmarking UMTA capital grant funds for specific projects.

81
Trade for Transit Funds

Sacramento becomes the first city in the country to convert funds from an abandoned freeway project (the I-80 Bypass) for use in establishing rail transit.

81
Light Rail Debuts

San Diego's light rail transit (LRT) line opens, the first of the US' modern light rail systems.

Light Rail Debuts
82
UMTA View on Paratransit's Role

After years of debate about the role of paratransit, UMTA issues a policy statement supporting it as a supplement to conventional transit, a service suitable for special needs groups, and a possible substitute for conventional transit in low density and rural areas.

UMTA View on Paratransit's Role
83
Funding, With a Catch

The Federal Surface Transportation Assistance Act raises the gas tax by five cents, with one cent going to transit; puts new emphasis on completion of the Interstate system; and creates a new formula grant program whose funds could be used for transit planning, capital projects, or, with some restrictions, operations.

Funding, With a Catch
83
Access at a Cost

Draft Federal regulations on elderly and handicapped service are issued, setting off bitter debates, with advocates for the disabled arguing for equal access and transit interests arguing for less costly approaches.

84
Reliance on Locals

UMTA revises its capital grant policy to prioritize projects with local funding support and a high level of cost-effectiveness.

87
Light Rail Launch

First Sacramento light rail line begins operations.

Light Rail Launch
87
Reagan Rebuffed

Federal Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act passes over President Reagan's veto. The act writes UMTA's capital grants prioritization procedure into law.

87
Light Rail in the South Bay

Light rail transit begins operation in San Jose.

Light Rail in the South Bay
89
21st Century Vision

Faced with a backlog of unfunded transportation improvement projects, the California Legislature enacts the Transportation Blueprint for the 21st Century, which was subsequently approved by voters in 1990.

89
Loma Prieta Earthquake

Loma Prieta earthquake causes collapse of one section of the upper deck of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and damages freeways in Oakland and San Francisco, including the Embarcadero Freeway. BART is virtually undamaged and steps up to carry a 50-percent increase in passengers in the following months.

Loma Prieta Earthquake
90
Gas Tax Hike Approved

California's voters approve Proposition 111, implementing a doubling of the state's gas tax over a five-year period, part of the recommendations included in the Transportation Blueprint for the 21st Century. The Public Transportation Account is allocated the sales tax revenue on the excise tax increase.

90
Bond Act Passes

California voters approve Proposition 116, a $1.99 billion bond act funding passenger and intercity commuter rail. The proposition also provided funds for ferries, paratransit, and bicycle projects.

90
Blue Line Debuts

The Blue Line opens, the first of the Los Angeles metropolitan area's new rail transit lines.

Blue Line Debuts
90
ADA Enacted

Federal Americans with Disabilities Act signed into law, providing civil rights and requiring accommodation of disabled people. Title II applies to public transportation and requires the provision of complementary paratransit services by public entities that provide fixed route services.

ADA Enacted
90
Strict Pollution Controls

Federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 designate metro areas by severity of pollution violations and extend attainment deadlines for areas with most severe problems, including most California metro areas. Buses are held to strict pollution controls.

Strict Pollution Controls
91
Flexibility Via ISTEA

Federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Act (ISTEA) increases flexibility in spending and gives MPOs more say over transportation choices. Surface Transportation Program (STP) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding categories are created.

Flexibility Via ISTEA
93
Merger of L.A. Systems

The Southern California Rapid Transit District and the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission merged to form the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Merger of L.A. Systems
94
Northridge Earthquake

Northridge Earthquake causes $20 billion in damage in the Los Angeles area and closes I-10. LACMTA buses and train services provide needed transportation for the affected populace.

Northridge Earthquake
95
Toll Lanes Implemented

High-occupancy/toll (HOT) lanes are implemented on SR91 in Orange County. San Diego follows suit with HOT lanes on I15 in 1996, and the practice begins to spread across the country.

Toll Lanes Implemented
96
MTC Empowered

California Legislature designates the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) as the state-authorized transit coordinator in the Bay Area, requiring MTC to adopt rules and regulations to promote the coordination of fares and schedules and require every system to adopt fare revenue-sharing with connecting systems.

98
A Vote Against Transit

Los Angeles voters ban the use of sales tax to fund rail transit projects (lifted by a subsequent vote in 2006).

98
TEA-21 Enacted

Federal TEA-21 – the Transportation Equity Act for the 21 Century – is enacted, authorizing federal surface transportation programs for highways, highway safety, and transit for the 6-year period 1998-2003.

00
Metro Launches BRT

L.A. Metro implements bus rapid transit on the Ventura and Wilshire Whittier lines. The "Metro Rapid" program eventually grows to 26 routes.

Metro Launches BRT
02
Gas Tax Allocations

California's Proposition 42 passes, requiring that starting in 2008–09 gasoline sales tax revenues be allocated 20% to public transportation, 40% to projects funded in the State Transportation Improvement Program, and 40% to local streets and roads improvements, with half going to counties and half to cities.

03
Composite Construction

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authroity becomes the first agency in the U.S. to deploy buses made of composite materials, which greatly reduce weight and increase fuel efficiency.

Composite Construction
05
Infused TEA

Federal SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – a Legacy for Users) continues most elements of TEA-21.

Infused TEA
06
Emmission Control

Assembly Bill 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, is adopted in California. AB 32 (authored by Assemblymember Fran Pavley and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez) requires the California Air Resources Board to develop a Scoping Plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

Emmission Control
06
Transportation Package Approved

California voters pass Propositions 1A-E, which protect and increase transportation funding. Prop. 1B provides $5 billion in bonds funds to transit capital projects.

Nov 7 2006 timeline
07
BRT on Highways

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) adopts policies supporting Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on state highways.

08
Fare Media Innovations

Transit agencies begin to introduce reloadable contactless smart card systems, such as the Clipper Card in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Compass Card in San Diego County, and the Transit Access Pass in Los Angeles County.

Fare Media Innovations
08
Complete Streets

AB 1358 (Leno), which requires universal access by all users and modes of transportation consistent with the urban, suburban or rural context, is signed into law. California's Office of Planning and Research subsequently adopts complete streets requirements for general plans.

08
Fostering Smart Growth

California's SB 375 (Steinberg) is signed into law, requiring metropolitan planning organizations to undertake the development of plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting AB 32 goals, such as by fostering transit-oriented development and funding more transit service.

Fostering Smart Growth
08
Funding Boost for L.A. County

Measure R is approved by Los Angeles County voters, authorizing a 1/2-cent sales tax increase to fund transportation throughout Los Angeles County, including bus, rail, subway and freeway improvements.

Funding Boost for L.A. County
08
Voters Approve High-Speed Rail

California's Proposition 1A, the Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century, is approved by California voters, providing $9.95 billion in bonds for the new intercity rail system, including $950 million for local transit connectivity projects.

Voters Approve High-Speed Rail
09
TIGER Fund Created

Federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program provides federal funding on a competitive basis for highway, transit, freight, port, bike/pedestrian, and multimodal projects. 18 percent of funds have gone to transit projects (through 2011).

TIGER Fund Created
09
Courts Protect Transit Funding

In response to shifts of state funding away from transit, by the governor and legislature, to the state's general fund, the California Transit Association sues (in 2007) to stop such diversions. The California Supreme Court ultimately upholds an appellate court ruling in transit's favor, restoring hundreds of millions in transit funding from the sales tax on gas.

10
Gas Tax Swap

In part as a response to the California Transit Association's litgation, and in anticipation of an initiative qualifying for the general election ballot, California's Legislature enacts a complex fuel tax swap intended to provide general fund relief, by converting the sales tax on gas to an excise tax, thus eliminating billions in potential transit funding. To compensate somewhat, the swap does raise the sales tax on diesel fuel, and dedicates the new revenue to the STA program.

10
Voters Protect Transit Funding

California's voters overwhelmingly pass Proposition 22 – co-sponsored by the Calfornia Transit Association – which limits the Legislature's ability to redirect transportation taxes, and provides further constitutional protection for various transportation and local government funds, including certain revenue streams dedicated to transit.

11
STA Funding Restored

In response to the passage of Proposition 22, and in keeping with the transit funding litigation, California Governor Jerry Brown and the Legislature restore and fully fund the STA program.

12
MAP-21 Enacted

Federal MAP-21 – Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century – includes funding for state of good repair, asset management, and safety programs, and makes bus programs a formula grant.

MAP-21 Enacted
15
High-Speed Rail Construction Begins

Construction of first phase of California High-Speed Rail begins in Central Valley.

High-Speed Rail Construction Begins
15
50 Years and Counting

The California Transit Association, founded in 1965 as the California Association of Publicly Owned Transit Systems (CAPOTS), celebrates its 50th anniversary.

50 Years and Counting
15
California Transportation Plan for 2040

The California Transportation Plan for 2040, currently in draft form, aims to produce a sustainable transportation system that improves mobility, strengthens communities, and enhances the quality of life for all in California.

California Transportation Plan for 2040
17
Funding Fortified

Culminating more than two years of work in pursuit of funding to address the state’s transportation infrastructure, Gov. Jerry Brown signs Senate Bill 1, a $53 billion measure that includes the state’s largest new investment in public transit in more than 40 years.

Funding Fortified
18
Proposition 6

Opponents of Senate Bill 1 file to repeal the transportation infrastructure funding measure through a statewide ballot initiative. The initiative qualifies to appear on the November ballot as Proposition 6.

18
Crucial Funding Preserved

Proposition 6, a ballot initiative that would have repealed Senate Bill 1 and eliminated billions in crucial funding for California's transportation infrastructure – including more than $700 million per year in new public transit funding, is soundly defeated by voters. Final totals showed 57 percent of voters rejecting the repeal effort.

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