**STATEMENT**
(Sacramento, CA) – California Transit Association Executive Director Michael Pimentel issued the following statement today regarding the Association’s release of an accountability and reform framework for transit operations:
“California’s transit industry is unified in our approach to saving public transit. Just as transit agencies statewide came together to develop a consensus funding request for much-needed transit operations funding, they have worked together – and through the California Transit Association – to create a meaningful accountability and reform framework to ensure to the public that any new operations funding the state provides will be used responsibly and transparently to address immediate service needs and to deliver a more operationally and financially stable transit network.
“Our proposed framework builds on the existing, extensive oversight and accountability measures already placed on transit agencies, and directs them to publicly document their operations funding needs as well as how any newly appropriated operations funding will be used before they receive it. Each agency that accepts this funding will be required to submit to the state a transit recovery plan that details the service changes and rider-centric strategies it will implement to help stabilize their system and attract and retain riders.”
“As we advance this accountability and reform framework, we continue to elevate that significant external challenges will continue to impact agencies’ budgets, operating environments, and ridership levels, including, the hollowing out of downtown cores, the housing crisis, and rise in violent crime. We are committed to working with the state to identify solutions to these larger issues.
“This is a pivotal time for our industry and the state, and we reiterate our commitment to meet this moment so all Californians can rely on public transit to live, work, and travel for generations to come.”
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The California Transit Association (Association) is the leading advocacy organization and champion for public transit in California. The Association’s more than 220 member organizations include transit operators, commuter rail agencies, transit support groups, national and international transit suppliers, and government agencies. With a motivated and informed membership base, the Association actively engages State decision makers to shape transit-friendly policy, secure increased transit funding and promote the benefits of a balanced transportation system. The Association represents transit's interests before the California State Legislature, the Governor and regulatory agencies on the local, state and federal levels.