By Transit California Staff
Marin Transit Appoints Robert Betts as New General Manager
Marin Transit is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Betts as its new General Manager, effective January 12, 2026. Mr. Betts brings extensive leadership experience in public transit and a strong commitment to improving mobility, equity, and sustainability for Marin County residents.
Mr. Betts has more than 20 years of experience in the transportation field. He currently serves as Marin Transit’s Director of Operations and Service Development and has been an integral member of the Transit District’s staff since 2011. He led the agency through several transit service improvements and managed service changes during the pandemic. Marin Transit was the first transit operator in the Bay Area to have ridership return to pre-COVID levels and continues to grow its ridership. Throughout his career, Mr. Betts has focused on improving service quality, strengthening community partnerships, and implementing innovative solutions to meet evolving transit needs.
“We are confident that Robert’s leadership experience and deep understanding of public transit in our County will enable Marin Transit to continue to serve our communities well,” said Mary Sackett, President of the Marin Transit Board of Directors.
“I am honored by the Board’s confidence in me to become Marin Transit’s new General Manager and excited to work with the Board, staff, and community partners,” said Mr. Betts. “Public transit plays a vital role in connecting people to opportunity, and I look forward to building on Marin Transit’s strong foundation to support a more sustainable and equitable future for Marin County.”
Marin Transit thanks Nancy Whelan, retiring General Manager for her 11 years of service and looks forward to this next chapter under Robert Betts’ leadership.
OCTA Board Taps Jamey M. Federico to Serve as 2026 Board Chair
The Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors has unanimously selected Jamey M. Federico to serve as Chair of the Board.
Federico, who serves as a Dana Point council member, replaces outgoing Chair Doug Chaffee, who remains on the Board as Orange County’s Fourth District Supervisor.
“I am grateful to my colleagues on the Board for showing confidence in me and allowing me the opportunity to serve as Chair of the OCTA Board,” Chair Federico said. “I look forward to working together to deliver transportation solutions that improve the way people move, enhance safety and support the economic vitality of Orange County.”
Federico has served on the OCTA Board of Directors since January 2023. He has been an active voice in advancing policies that emphasize accountability, fiscal responsibility and multimodal transportation options for residents, commuters and visitors alike.
As Chair, Federico will help guide OCTA’s efforts to expand transportation choices, reduce congestion and continue delivering projects that keep Orange County moving efficiently and safely.
Federico’s selection comes as OCTA continues to work on major freeway, transit, rail and active transportation investments to meet the needs of one of the nation’s most populous and diverse counties.
Federico was elected to the Dana Point City Council in November 2018 and has served as mayor and mayor pro tem. His public service has focused on infrastructure investment, public safety and responsible governance.
In addition to his elected service, Federico is a small business owner and a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel. Commissioned as an officer in 1996, Federico served nearly 22 years on active duty, including four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, before retiring from active duty in 2017.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geomechanics from the University of Rochester, a Master of Business Administration from Webster University, and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He is a life member of Dana Point VFW Post 9934 and serves on the Advisory Brigade for the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group.
Federico and his wife, Alexis, also a former Marine helicopter pilot, live in Dana Point.
The OCTA Board also appointed Director Fred Jung, mayor of Fullerton, as Vice Chair. In addition, the Board welcomed new Director Lauren Kleiman, who is also mayor of Newport Beach, and administered oaths of office for new terms to returning directors Valerie Amezcua, mayor of Santa Ana; Stephanie Klopfenstein, mayor of Garden Grove; Carlos Leon, Anaheim council member; and Mark Tettemer, Lake Forest council member.
The OCTA Board is comprised of 18 members, including the five county supervisors, two members from city councils in each of the five supervisorial districts, two public members, and the Caltrans District Director, who serves in a non-voting ex-officio capacity.
San Diego MTS Appoints Daniel Brislin as Director of Transit Security
Brislin played an instrumental role as deputy director in reducing crime across system
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) promoted Daniel Brislin to the position of Director of Transit Security and Passenger Safety. In his new role, Brislin will oversee MTS’s 81 Code Compliance Inspectors and 232 contracted Transit Security Officers to ensure the safety of passengers and employees on the transit system. Brislin takes over for Tim Curran, who retired in December 2025.
“Safety is fundamental to a reliable and welcoming transit system for all. Dan has been implementing successful security measures since he arrived at MTS,” said MTS Chief Executive Officer Sharon Cooney. “His leadership, commitment, and strong partnerships with law enforcement have helped deliver the results we are looking for.”
Brislin joined MTS in 2023 and has more than 28 combined years of public safety experience. During his previous role as the MTS Deputy Director of Transit Security and Passenger Safety, Brislin helped implement a comprehensive security initiative that reduced crime by 24% across the transit network in the first eight months of 2025.
“I am honored to lead a dedicated group of inspectors and security officers to reduce crime, ensure fare compliance and keep the system safe,” said Brislin. “Our team is committed to assisting MTS passengers and surrounding communities. We have great partnerships in place with local law enforcement and I look forward to continuing our collaboration. We have also widely expanded our outreach efforts to provide a diverse range of resources for individuals in need.”
During his tenure, Brislin helped implement a number of strategies to reduce crime on the system, including:
In addition to staffing plans, Brislin also led efforts to consolidate the 24/7 security hotline to one number for text and calls, which improved response times and offers better communication with passengers. He has also implemented ongoing training for staff in de-escalation, use of force, implicit bias and anti-discrimination.
Brislin brings a data-driven approach to crime reduction strategies, which are informed by a full-time crime and data analyst who examines crime trends on the transit system. Brislin also created a new investigator position within the department to investigate lewd acts, vandalism and other crimes that fall within the scope of MTS’s authority.
In 2025, the MTS Security Department received the highest level of recognition, the Gold Standard Award, from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for its work maintaining a safe and secure transit system. MTS is only one of two transit agencies nationwide to receive this recognition in 2025.
Brislin is an honorably retired San Diego County Sheriff’s Commander, with experience in every bureau of the agency, including patrol, training, internal affairs, child abuse, sex crimes, juvenile crimes, narcotics and gangs. He is also the former Dean of Public Safety for San Diego Miramar College, where he oversaw the Emergency Medical Technician program, Fire Technology/Academy Program, and Administration of Justice Program, which included the San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Academy. Brislin holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees in psychology and sociology and a master's degree in public administration.
SacRT Announces Police Services Staffing Transition and Safety Enhancements for 2026
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) is announcing a transition in its Police Services Department staffing, effective Saturday, January 10, 2026. After nearly 34 years of dedicated service, SacRT’s contract with the Sacramento Police Department has concluded, marking the end of a long-standing partnership that has played a vital role in supporting transit safety and security in the Sacramento region.
To ensure continued safety coverage across the transit system, SacRT is expanding its partnership with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, increasing Sheriff staffing levels.
The Sheriff’s Department is actively hiring and training additional deputies to support this smooth transition.
SacRT’s enhanced safety team will include:
SacRT’s 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC) will continue to operate from the Sacramento Police Department’s Real Time Information Center, ensuring seamless coordination in emergency response and maintaining a strong collaborative relationship.
Additional Investment in Security
The SacRT Board of Directors recently approved an additional $1 million investment in security for FY26 to further enhance rider safety and comfort. This funding will support additional Transit Ambassadors (from 40 to 50), hire two additional staff in the SOC, and expand security guard presence at stations, on vehicles and in parking lots.
Safety Strategy Highlights
SacRT has remained committed to creating a safe, welcoming environment for all riders and employees throughout the transition. By establishing a clear vision, developing a comprehensive plan, and executing that plan with discipline and innovation, SacRT has been able to build multiple layers of safety and security into its operations ensuring a smooth transition. Through new technologies, enhanced procedures, and continued strong partnership with community organizations and law enforcement, SacRT’s bus and rail systems now rank among the safest in the country. Key safety initiatives include:
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Increased Onboard Presence: SacRT aims to have a Transit Ambassador, Security Guard, or Sheriff’s Department staff member on every light rail vehicle.
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Transit Ambassadors: Providing fare checks, customer service, and rider support.
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Advanced Surveillance: Over 2,000 live cameras monitored in real time, with access to city and county networks.
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AI Drone Program: Launching in 2026 to maintain clean environments and improve operational performance at stations, along tracks and at bus stops/shelters.
Alert SacRT App: Enables riders to report safety concerns or cleanliness issues directly to SacRT’s security team. Download at com/AlertSacRT.
“Safety and security remain our top priority at SacRT,” said SacRT General Manager/CEO Henry Li. “We are proud to expand our partnership with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department and continue investing in innovative technologies and staffing strategies that ensure our riders feel safe and supported throughout their journey.”
“We are honored to strengthen our partnership with SacRT and expand our presence across the transit system,” said Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper. “Our deputies are committed to providing professional, responsive service to help ensure a safe and secure environment for all SacRT passengers and employees.”
SacRT’s multi-layered safety approach, strong partnerships, and investment in technology underscore its unwavering commitment to rider and employee safety. Learn more on the programs in place at sacrt.com/safety.
As part of the transition, SacRT Police Services will update to a new logo reflecting the expanded partnership with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department.
Los Angeles Metro Public Safety Department launches Care-Based Services Division
Over the past several years, Metro has been focusing on improving the customer experience and public safety for riders and the many Metro employees who deliver their service. Metro wants everyone on their system to be safe and feel safe. As part of that work, they’re contacted by riders to address issues – and the vast majority of those calls involve societal issues such as homelessness, riders experiencing mental health crises and substance abuse.
To better help address these issues, Metro’s Department of Public Safety today launched its Care-Based Services Division that will bring together all of Metro’s care-centered public safety programs, including Metro Ambassadors, Homeless Outreach Management and Engagement (HOME), and Community Intervention Specialists. In this way, they’re taking a holistic approach to public safety that prioritizes safety, dignity, and the right response for every situation.
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Metro Ambassadors provide a highly visible, uniformed presence across the system with a focus on customer support, wayfinding, and helping riders feel safe. Ambassadors are especially effective in creating a sense of comfort for riders who may be uneasy interacting with sworn officers, while still serving as an important part of Metro’s overall safety ecosystem.
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HOME and Community Intervention Specialists complement this work by responding to situations involving mental health crises or vulnerable individuals through a multidisciplinary, care-first approach. These teams focus on de-escalation and connection to appropriate services, working closely with sworn officers when needed to ensure situations are handled safely and effectively.
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And the Care-Based Services Division will also work to build new Crisis Response Teams. These teams will respond to behavioral-health–related incidents on the rail and busway system, using clinicians, peer specialists, and, when appropriate, trained DPS officers. Deployed through a zone-based model, Crisis Response Teams will emphasize rapid response, stabilization, and connection to supportive resources, helping resolve incidents in ways that reduce reliance on traditional law enforcement while reinforcing system-wide safety.
Metro’s Homeless Outreach teams, Ambassadors and Community Intervention Specialist teams are transitioning into the Department of Public Safety this month. This new division will work in close coordination with the department’s other divisions that oversee law enforcement, Code of Conduct enforcement, physical security and emergency management, resulting in improved response times to ensure all riders and employees feel safe and are safe. This reflects our commitment to a modern public safety approach — one that is holistic, integrated, and visible, to ensure riders and employees feel safe throughout the system.
It also reflects a growing recognition of the need to integrate care-based expertise into public safety responses, helps divert non-criminals experiencing crises away from the criminal justice system and connects them to services they need most. This approach will also ensure that law enforcement resources aren’t dispatched to scenarios where they aren’t truly needed, so that they can focus on crime prevention and other emergency responses.
The division will be led by Craig Joyce, a licensed clinical social worker who has been overseeing Metro’s work to help connect unhoused riders to social services and housing in partnership with L.A. County and six homeless service providers.
Metro’s Homeless Outreach and Mobile Engagement (HOME) program deploys multidisciplinary outreach teams across the rail and busway system to deliver assistance to individuals in need. Through the work of HOME and its partners, the number of people sheltering on Metro’s system decreased by 38% year over year, according to the 2025 Metro point-in-time count.
The Metro Board of Directors approved the creation of the Department of Public Safety in 2024. After a national search, William “Bill” Scott was selected this past spring to serve as the first Chief of Metro’s DPS. Here’s a recent interview we did with Chief Scott on his vision for the DPS and the importance of care-based strategies.
New BART and Uber in-app integration launches with discounts to get to and from BART
Bay Area riders can now plan and book short Uber trips — ranging from two to seven miles — to and from BART stations directly within the BART App. This exciting partnership between BART and Uber Transit is part of BART’s ongoing commitment to enhance the customer experience by expanding and modernizing technology solutions that offer riders more flexible, convenient ways to get where they need to go.
BART is partnering with Uber Transit to fully integrate seamless end-to-end journey planning and payment all within the BART App. Riders will no longer need to use multiple apps to plan their BART trip and plan and pay for an Uber ride. Everything can be done without leaving the BART App, and the total trip time will be displayed, making things faster and easier for users.
Uber Transit is focused nationwide on supporting transit agencies to provide low-cost paratransit trips and to solve first/last mile challenges. This new partnership addresses a key challenge within the Bay Area’s transit network: providing reliable connections for people whose starting location or destination is too far to comfortably walk to a station or bus stop or is underserved by frequent bus or rail service.
“Embracing technology to help people leave their cars at home and reduce congestion is a shared value within the Bay Area,” said Bob Powers, BART’s General Manager. “Collaborating with Uber will help attract new riders and will simplify the process for those who take Uber to and from BART stations. This partnership will also expand access options as we build more housing in place of parking lots at stations.”
“Uber Transit is proud to partner with BART to bridge the crucial first/last mile challenge, helping transit agencies close gaps that too often keep people from getting where they need to go,” said Chris Margaronis, Head of Transit Partnerships at Uber. “By integrating Uber rides directly into the BART App, we’re simplifying travel, expanding access, and making public transit a more flexible, reliable option for everyone — especially those in underserved areas. Together, we’re reimagining how people move across the Bay Area.”
“No longer having to use multiple platforms to plan, book, and pay for a trip involving BART and Uber is a game changer for our riders,” said Ravi Misra, BART’s Chief Information Officer. “Providing this simple option on the BART App shows how innovation can improve access to BART and increase ridership.”
The BART and Uber partnership includes a special, limited time $5 Uber trip discount at the launch of the program for trips starting or ending at the following ten selected BART stations:
Antioch
Bay Fair
Concord
Daly City
Fruitvale
Lake Merritt
MacArthur
Richmond
Walnut Creek
West Oakland
Riders can take advantage of the special $5 discount up to six times over seven calendar days.
These stations were selected based on locations not heavily served by frequent bus or rail service and in a way to ensure bus ridership is not significantly impacted. Great care has been taken to ensure sustainable and active modes of transportation remain featured in BART’s Trip Planner.
In addition to Uber trips, BART’s popular multimodal Trip Planner continues to include walking and biking options as well as other transit, bike-share, and scooter-share options for getting to and from BART stations. Riders can also customize preferences such as walking and biking speeds for planning their trips. To enhance regional transit coordination, BART’s Trip Planner includes the schedules for regional rail service, such as Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, and ACE, as well as buses, ferries, and cable cars. During times when BART is experiencing major service disruptions, transit riders can plan itineraries that don’t include BART as an option to help them get around.