Transit California interviewed April Chan, GM/CEO San Mateo County Transit District, the Executive Director of the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, and the Vice Chair of the Association’s Executive Committee.
Transit California: You serve as the Vice Chair of the Association’s Executive Committee, which sets policy and directs the Association’s staff. What are your broad goals for your leadership of the Committee?
As vice chair, my overarching goal is to help the Association stay focused on what matters most to California’s transit agencies right now: stability, innovation, and long-term resilience. That means strengthening our collective voice at the state level, ensuring our policy priorities reflect the realities agencies are facing on the ground, and supporting staff so they can be effective advocates for our members. I also see the Executive Committee as a forum for collaboration, where transit agencies of all sizes along with our business partners can learn from one another and move forward together to ensure public transit can thrive.
Transit California: How does your work as GM/CEO of San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) inform your goals for the Association?
Leading SamTrans keeps me closely connected to the day-to-day realities transit agencies are navigating, including everything from funding uncertainty and workforce challenges to evolving rider expectations. Being one of two dozen transit properties in the Bay Area also taught me the differences amongst the agencies of differing sizes, and the challenges faced by urban and suburban operators. That perspective and learned experience shape my goals for the Association by reinforcing the importance of practical, solutions-oriented policy. It’s critical that our advocacy reflects what agencies actually need to deliver reliable service, adapt to changing operating environments and remain financially sustainable. My role at SamTrans also underscores the value of collaboration, because no agency is facing these challenges alone.
Transit California: You were recently appointed to serve on the Association’s Finance and Management Committee, which oversees the Association's budget, dues, audits, accounting, membership, and general management oversight. Can you talk about the committee’s work this past fall on identifying Association budget priorities?
The Association’s budget priorities are always anchored to the Association’s Strategic Plan. We will continue to focus the Association’s efforts on advocacy at both the state and federal levels, making sure our legislative delegation understands what it takes for public transportation to thrive amid ongoing operational and financial challenges. We want to be able to provide value to the Association’s members which can include educational training as well as networking amongst members and others at Association-led conferences. While these priorities remain the core mission of the Association, we will need to ensure the Association has the appropriate talents and agency organization to help drive these initiatives. The Association will also need to make sure we help our members build a more diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible public transit industry.
Transit California: You became General Manager/CEO of SamTrans in 2022, during a time of great change for transit agencies across California. What did you learn most during this time not only about your role in management but also about the communities you serve?
Stepping into the role in 2022 reinforced how closely transit is tied to the well-being of the communities we serve. I learned that effective leadership during periods of change requires listening to everyone — including employees, riders, and stakeholders — and being willing to adapt. While ridership for many other transit systems dropped precipitously during the pandemic, our communities rely on transit for access to jobs, education and essential services, and that responsibility becomes even more visible during times of uncertainty. As we emerged from the pandemic, our ridership rebounded more quickly because we learned how to better adapt service to meet the needs of our most vulnerable riders. The experience deepened my appreciation for the resilience of our workforce and the importance of leading with transparency, empathy and a long-term perspective.
Transit California: In 2024, the American Public Transit Association (APTA) acknowledged SamTrans with the prestigious 2024 Outstanding Public Transportation System achievement award. What has SamTrans done since that time to continue to advance your leadership in this space?
The APTA recognition was an important milestone, but we view it as a starting point rather than a finish line. Since then, SamTrans has continued to focus on delivering reliable, customer-focused service while advancing initiatives that strengthen our organization for the long term. That includes investing in our workforce, using data to inform service decisions, and deepening partnerships with local jurisdictions and regional agencies. We’ve also stayed focused on innovation and accountability, making sure we’re not only meeting today’s needs, but positioning the district to respond to future challenges and opportunities.
Transit California: As a woman of color in transit leadership, do you have advice for those currently in the field who are looking to advance?
I would encourage people to lead with confidence in their perspective and to seek out mentors and sponsors who will both support and challenge them. Transit benefits from leaders who bring different lived experiences and ways of thinking to the table, especially during times of change. It’s also important to stay grounded in purpose—remembering that this work is ultimately about serving communities. For those looking to advance, I’d add that being open to learning, taking on difficult assignments and lifting others along the way can make a meaningful difference. Don’t be afraid: challenge yourself, and challenge others.
For more information about CEO Chan’s longtime career leadership at SamTrans, see the 2022 interview with Transit California.