San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Pride Month Bus Wrap Reminds Riders, Employees to "Ride with Pride" in June and Beyond 
In celebration of Pride Month, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and San Diego Pride unveiled a new bus wrap featuring a Pride flag. The agency’s new bus wrap began operating on the system on June 5.
“As Chair of the Metropolitan Transit System, I am proud to see our buses wrapped in Pride colors, symbolizing our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equality,” said Stephen Whitburn, MTS Chair and San Diego City Councilmember. “This vibrant display not only celebrates Pride Month but also sends a powerful message of support to the LGBTQIA+ community. At MTS, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all of our riders and employees. Together, let's continue to move forward with Pride.”
Pride Month is a chance for communities to gather and celebrate in a festive, affirming atmosphere. The purpose of the “Ride with Pride” bus wrap is to celebrate and support LGBTQIA+ riders, employees and community throughout Pride Month and beyond.
“Access is a vital part of fostering an inclusive and thriving LGBTQIA+ community. We are thrilled to partner with MTS to make San Diego Pride greener and even more accessible,” said Jen LaBarbera, San Diego Pride Co-Executive Director.
“I know seeing this bus around town will fill so many of our community members with pride and remind visitors that San Diego is a vibrant and welcoming city,” added Sarafina Scapicchio, San Diego Pride Co-Executive Director.
MTS also announced its participation in this year’s San Diego Pride Parade July 20, featuring the newly wrapped “Ride with Pride” bus. MTS employees celebrated San Diego Pride and promoted inclusivity for LGBTQIA+ folks with the more than 250,00 spectators along the parade route.
Additionally, San Diego County Fair officials were present at the unveiling announcing this year’s Fair Tripper, a round-trip ride on the MTS Trolley with a transfer to NCTD COASTER to the Solana Beach Station, and entry to the San Diego County Fair for a reduced fee.
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit & Capitol Corridor: Link21 Completes Analysis of Train Technology for Second Bay Crossing; Holds Public Virtual Events
The Link21 Program is making progress toward its goal of creating a faster, more connected train system across the 21-county Northern California Megaregion that provides equitable, affordable, and accessible travel for future generations. One key aspect is building a second underground train crossing of the San Francisco Bay, allowing riders to travel to various destinations in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento area, Monterey Bay area, and Northern San Joaquin Valley.
Link21 recently completed an exciting analysis of the different benefits that standard-gauge (Regional Rail) and broad-gauge (BART) train technologies can provide to the region through this project. This Program milestone will determine which technology should operate in the new crossing as an important step toward defining a project that will provide riders with enhanced and more reliable travel options.
Through the spring and early summer, Link21 was on an informational roadshow sharing analysis findings that demonstrate how the two technologies provide similar benefits and where they differ in terms of service, equitable outcomes, connections, and operations.
“Link21 will make investments to offer more train service for future generations to thrive, connect, and flourish in our vibrant Megaregion,” said Link21 Program Director Sadie Graham. “The community and stakeholder engagement we do now and the decisions we make will help ensure the project delivers accessible, reliable, and environmentally conscious transit solutions that will benefit our communities for years to come."
Visit Link21OpenHouse.com anytime 24/7 to conveniently participate when it works for you, whether it’s from the comfort of your own home or while commuting on the train. Link21 will be in local communities. Visit Link21Program.org/events for more information.
Link21 is a long-range transportation program sponsored by the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) and Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority. Together with partners, Link21 will transform the train system within the 21-county Northern California Megaregion, which includes the greater San Francisco Bay Area, the Monterey Bay area, the Sacramento area, and the Northern San Joaquin Valley.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA): Groundbreaking Ceremony for The Eastridge to BART Regional Connector
VTA and elected and community leaders formally celebrated the start of construction on the Eastridge to BART regional connector light rail extension.
This event marked the beginning of a significant expansion of the Orange Line, which currently runs from Alum Rock to Mountain View, with a station at the Milpitas Transit Center where passengers can transfer to BART services throughout the Bay Area.
The 2.4-mile extension will transform Capitol Expressway into a multi-modal expressway offering Bus Rapid Transit, light rail transit, and safe connections to the regional transit system. The construction project will include an elevated guideway for the track and the addition of two new light rail stations at Story Road and the Eastridge Transit Center. Construction is expected to take approximately four years.
Sacramento Regional Transit Achieves Major Milestone with Two New Low-Floor Trains Completing 1,000 Miles of Testing – Ready for Passenger Service
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) is proud to announce that two of the 20 new S700 low-floor light rail vehicles that have been delivered, have completed 1,000 miles of testing, and are officially deemed ready for passenger service.
The 1,000-mile testing process is the final step of testing that is required to ensure all safety and quality standards are met before the train can operate on SacRT’s tracks when service of the new low-floor trains begins later this summer. The other 18 vehicles are currently in different phases of testing.
“Ensuring the safety and reliability of our trains is our top priority,” said SacRT General Manager/CEO Henry Li. “I commend our dedicated team for their hard work and commitment throughout the rigorous testing process. These new low-floor vehicles will enhance accessibility and comfort for all our passengers, and we are excited to place them in service on the Gold and Green lines later this summer.”
As part of SacRT’s commitment to being good stewards of the public funds it receives to improve the local transportation network, SacRT is quickly and efficiently modernizing the entire light rail system. The Light Rail Modernization project is a major capital project in the Sacramento region that includes the purchase and rollout of new accessible low-floor light rail vehicles, modifications to station platforms to meet the height requirements of the new vehicles, and the addition of a passing track to allow for 15-minute frequency at all four Folsom area stations.
Livermore-Amador Valley Transit Authority (WHEELS): Free rides for youth all summer on WHEELS
Wheels is providing FREE bus service for all youth throughout the summer break with its Summer Youth Ride Free promotion. This special offer makes it easy for kids and teens to explore all the opportunities and adventures available throughout Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore. No verification or pass necessary, just say youth ride free! Parents can use this free service to deliver the kids safely and reliably to summer camps, jobs, sports, art, and nature programs.
“Youth who learn to utilize transit understand its benefits and become our strongest advocates”, said Evan Branning, LAVTA’s Board Vice Chair and a teacher at Village High School in Pleasanton. “They understand that public transit supports an environmentally responsible lifestyle and a sustainable future.”
The promotion offers an excellent opportunity for students to trial public transit in preparation for the fall school year and supports summer school students.
LAVTA Executive Director Christy Wegener offered “Half of Wheels riders are youth going to and from school. It just makes sense to offer this promotion during the summer months, so that we can make it easy for students to keep riding over the summer. And for students who don’t yet ride Wheels, it’s a great opportunity to give the bus a try.”
Wheels recently added new local routes including route 4 in East Dublin and route 18 in South Livermore, as well as more frequent weekend service. The Summer Youth Ride Free promotion fare free period is June 1 – August 12, 2024, leading into Try Transit, a monthlong free transit promotion at the start of the school year.
Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District’s “One Ride at a Time” Named Public Outreach Program of the Year - Campaign Recognized by California Transportation Foundation at 2024 Transportation Awards
Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District’s (METRO) One Ride at a Time (ORAT) campaign has been named Public Outreach Program of the Year by the California Transportation Foundation (CTF). Recognized at CTF’s annual Transportation Awards gala in Sacramento in June, the award celebrates ORAT – METRO’s campaign showcasing the environmental benefits of transit – for its innovative approach to encouraging bus ridership and promoting local conservation efforts.
CTF is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to highlighting achievement, innovation and excellence in the transportation industry. The annual Transportation Awards “recognize the best and brightest in our industry … across all modes and from every corner of the state,” according to the organization’s website.
“We are delighted that One Ride at a Time is being recognized by our transportation peers in California,” said METRO Marketing and Communications Director Danielle Glagola. “We hope this campaign inspires other agencies to collaborate with community organizations, artists, and other partners to engage the public in vital transportation and environmental issues.”
ORAT gives bus riders the opportunity to protect the Monterey Bay’s extraordinary natural resources just by riding the bus. Thanks to ORAT, every ride on a METRO bus contributes to the agency’s partners in protecting the environment, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and the Bay of Life Fund through the GO Santa Cruz ridesharing incentive program.