By Transit California Staff
Clean Air Day was October 2! Here’s a roundup of how some of our Association members celebrated the day and promoted their services:
- SF Bay Ferry gave free ferry rides all day, and staff were onboard morning commute trips on all routes to thank riders for choosing the ferry. Riders got free coffee, pastries and merch, including a Rider Appreciation Day 2024 special edition keychain.
- SacRT gave free rides on its fixed-route bus and light rail services on Monday, September 30, Wednesday, October 2, and Sunday, October 6, 2024 as part of the region’s Week Without Driving Challenge.
- The Bay Area’s WestCAT, Wheels, and County Connection waived all bus fees for the day, encouraging riders to take public transit for a breathable future.
- Along with hosting their 5th annual Free Ride Day, San Diego’s MTS and NCTD held pop-up outreach events at major transit centers in the morning and afternoon to thank riders for choosing transit.
LA Metro Ridership Reaches One Million Weekday Riders in September, Marks 22nd Consecutive Month of Year-Over-Year Growth
L.A. Metro reached a milestone in September, averaging more than one million weekday riders for the first time since before the pandemic. This milestone also marks the 22nd consecutive month of year-over-year ridership growth for the agency. Additionally, average bus ridership in September exceeded 800,000 weekday boardings, a post-pandemic ridership record for the bus system.
“A million boardings a day is a major milestone. It's also a reminder that while we have to prepare for the World Cup and the Olympics, every single day hundreds of thousands of people here in LA County are using our buses and trains to get around, and our commitment is to them,” said Metro Board Chair and LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn. “We owe platform or dependable, enjoyable system, whether they're on a bus, a train platform, or riding a train. My focus will remain safety and our riders’ experience, so they know they can count on Metro to be there for them when they need it.”
Metro’s combined bus and rail ridership in September reached 86.4 percent of its September 2019 pre-pandemic ridership level, which exceeds the nationwide transit ridership average of 76 percent of pre-pandemic levels. Average weekday boardings on Metro reached 83.6 percent of September 2019 pre-pandemic levels and 96.6 percent of the pre-pandemic level on weekends.
“Thanks to the more than 12,000 dedicated public servants who work hard, day and night, rain or shine, Metro is recovering faster than almost any large transit agency in America,” said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “This 1 million-weekday-rider milestone is a testament to the enormous effort we’ve undertaken to make our system cleaner, safer, easier, more comfortable and more reliable for all the Angelenos who rely on us every day.”
BART sees double digit drop in crime: Safe and Clean Plan putting more officers on trains and in stations boosting visible safety presence
The latest numbers from the BART Police Department show through the end of August overall crime in the system is down 15% compared with the same period in 2023. The trend includes a 10% drop in violent crime. The decline in the crime rate comes as BART has been experiencing an increase in ridership. All of BART’s top 10 post-pandemic ridership days were in September, driven by special events including the Dreamforce conference in San Francisco and the final Oakland A’s homestand. Read the full Chief’s Report with all the latest safety numbers.
“The drop in criminal activity on BART is happening as we have been going all out to implement our Safe and Clean Plan,” said BART General Manager Bob Powers. “Our riders have been loud and clear that they want us to step our game up when it comes to their safety and the cleanliness of our system. We have more work to do on behalf of our riders, but these numbers indicate our commitment to maximizing our visible safety presence is paying off.”
“Since I became BART Police Chief one year ago, it has been my top priority to maximize the number of officers walking trains and patrolling our stations,” said BART Police Chief Kevin Franklin. “Our officers are more visible than ever. Their efforts are containing relatively small concerns before they grow into big problems that harm service.”
Chart showing year-to-date Tier 1 crimes in the BART system. The overall trend shows violent crime is down 10% and overall crime is down 15% compared with the same period last year.
Additional safety highlights from the latest numbers:
- Only 12 electronic thefts and robberies were reported across the entire system in August. That’s the lowest total for any month since 2021 when ridership was much lower than today.
- BART PD reported 13,016 total enforcement contacts through August, up from 7,791 for the same period in 2023.
- BART PD’s response time for Priority 1 emergencies averaged 4 minutes and 25 seconds in August, among the fastest for any law enforcement agency in the Bay Area.
BART’s Safe and Clean Plan is a commitment to riders to maximize resources to boost their safety and provide clean service. BART’s stepped up safety efforts include sworn officers, non-sworn Crisis Intervention Specialists and Transit Ambassadors, as well as the implementation of Next Generation Fare Gates , which have now been installed successfully at seven stations. All 50 of BART’s stations will have Next Generation Fare Gates by the end of 2025.
BART PD patrols a system that spans five counties and includes 50 stations with 131 route miles of track.
OCTA Awards $42 million for Community Shuttles, Seasonal Trolleys to Help Cities Meet Transit Needs
The Orange County Transportation Authority has allocated up to $42.4 million to support community-based transit programs throughout the county, providing communities with the transit service that best meet their local needs.
The OCTA funding, provided through the voter-approved Measure M half-cent sales tax for transportation, helps cities and the county move residents and visitors safely and efficiently with popular and flexible programs.
“Our primary mission at OCTA is to keep Orange County moving, and this is another great example of working with cities to best meet their needs and help make public transit an attractive option for people to get where they need to be,” said OCTA Chair Tam T. Nguyen. “With this effort, we are enhancing accessibility and improving connectivity throughout Orange County.”
In recent years, OCTA has focused on reshaping the transit system, recognizing that there are different solutions to meet the diverse travel needs of residents and visitors. Traditional bus service has been increased in areas with higher ridership and OCTA has worked with cities to find the best solutions in areas of the county where there is less demand. With 25% of funding from Measure M set aside for transit, the goal of this ongoing effort is to find the most efficient way to move people in every community.
In the last fiscal year, more than 712,000 boardings were recorded on these shuttles and community transit services. Overall, there have been more than 4.6 million boardings, helping move people on public transit while reducing roadway congestion.
The cities and the county applied for the funding on a competitive basis and each has committed to providing at least 10% in matching funds.
These services work alongside regional bus and rail service and help fill gaps in some areas – part of OCTA’s ongoing effort to maximize available resources.
Golden Empire Transit: Chris James Appointed as CEO of Golden Empire Transit District
Golden Empire Transit District (GET), Bakersfield’s leading public transportation provider, is pleased to announce that Chris James has been officially appointed as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer. Previously serving as the interim CEO, Mr. James brings over 40 years of dedicated experience to his new role, having played a pivotal part in GET’s maintenance and operations throughout his career. The board vote, with four ayes and one absent, approved Mr. James.
Mr. James’s journey with GET spans four decades, where he has demonstrated unwavering commitment to enhancing Bakersfield’s public transit services. His tenure has been marked by a strong dedication to GET’s mission of connecting the community and improving mobility across the region. In assuming the CEO role, Mr. James aims to build on GET’s legacy, fostering growth and innovation to meet the evolving needs of Bakersfield’s residents.
“I am truly honored to take on the role of CEO at Golden Empire Transit,” said Mr. James. “Our organization has always held a special place in my heart, and I am excited to lead our talented team as we continue to pursue ambitious goals. Together, we will focus on increasing ridership, enhancing our organizational culture, and providing exceptional service to our community.”
With a focus on sustainable transportation, GET currently operates a diverse fleet that includes compressed natural gas and hydrogen fuel cell battery electric buses. Under Mr. James’s leadership, GET plans to expand its environmentally friendly initiatives and continue exploring innovative solutions that support the organization’s commitment to a greener future.
“The coming fiscal year will be an exciting time for GET, as we all work to enhance the transit experience for our community,” Ms. Parra, GET Board Chair said. “The entire board looks forward to working together to build on GET’s success. I am confident that, with the continued hard work and dedication of Mr. James, we will continue to make a positive impact on Bakersfield.”