The following items are excerpted or summarized from news releases issued by the California Transit Association members. If you are a member of the Association and would like to submit an item to be considered for inclusion in the Member News Library, please email your press releases to Managing Editor Jacob Herson (jake@caltransit.org). Photos and cutline information with your news release submissions, when possible, are encouraged.
Water Emergency Transportation Authority Completes Ferry Conversion for Clean Air
The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) announced on Earth Day (April 22) that MV Pisces, a 225-passenger vessel in the San Francisco Bay Ferry fleet, is back in service after successful conversion of its engines to reduce air pollution emissions by 80 percent.
“WETA is committed to reducing emissions from its existing fleet while working toward a zero-emission future,” said WETA Executive Director Seamus Murphy. “Our agency has pushed the industry forward by building the cleanest new high-speed passenger ferries in the nation, and now we’re working to convert our oldest boats to this new standard.”
In September 2021, the WETA Board of Directors approved a $5.5 million project to upgrade the engines on the agency’s four Gemini-class vessels to significantly reduce emissions of air pollutants. MV Pisces was the first vessel to undergo the conversion. The conversion to cleaner engines on MV Taurus is currently underway at JT Marine in Vancouver, Washington. The full project is on track to be completed in 2023. Learn more here.
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to Receive Federal Funds for East San Fernando Valley Light Rail 
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) has received a letter of intent from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announcing its intention to obligate nearly $1 billion in future federal funds for the first phase of Metro’s new, 9.2-mile East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project that will connect the Metro G Line (Orange) Station in Van Nuys with the Metrolink Station in Sylmar/San Fernando.
The letter also lays out several conditions that Metro must meet within the next two years to allow the project to be considered for a Full Funding Grant Agreement. That grant agreement could potentially provide up to $908.75 million—which is less than 25 percent of the project’s cost—through the FTA’s Expedited Project Delivery Pilot Program. This federal pilot program seeks to accelerate the delivery of fixed guideway transportation projects across the nation with the understanding that federal funding will not exceed 25 percent of eligible project costs.
“With today’s FTA announcement, we are another step closer in our ultimate goal to obtain critically needed federal funding for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project,” said Metro Board Chair and L.A. County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, representing the First District. “We are committed to working hand-in-hand with FTA to ensure we successfully qualify for this grant. I would like to sincerely thank FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez for her unwavering assistance in reaching this early but significant milestone. Metro is also grateful to the outstanding advocacy of our U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Dianne Feinstein and Congressman Tony Cardenas—who have championed this project for many years.” Learn more here.
Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority CEO Receives CalACT Honor
On April 20, Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority (Tri Delta Transit) CEO Jeanne Krieg was honored by the California Association for Coordinated Transportation (CalACT) in Newport Beach at the CalACT spring conference. Krieg, a 31-year veteran of the transportation industry, was awarded a spot on the CalACT Wall of Excellence. The wall recognizes individuals who have had a long and distinguished career in public transportation and have made outstanding contributions to CalACT and the transportation industry.
“Under the leadership of CEO Jeanne Krieg, Tri Delta Transit is a very forward thinking and innovative agency,” said Chair of the Board of Directors Ken Gray. “Tri Delta Transit has been a first adopter of electric and hydrogen technology, use of various app technology, and in the forefront of employee practices to retain employees and create an optimal work environment.”
“I was surprised and humbled by this recognition from my industry,” said Krieg. “All of the employees and board members at Tri Delta Transit are a part of this award: their support, dedication, and hard work are what makes our agency successful.”
Bay Area Rapid Transit Soliciting Short Fiction to be Dispensed on Platforms
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) has launched a program called “BART Lines,” soliciting short works of fiction, 7,500 characters or less, on the theme of “motion.” Judges Daniel Handler, Annalee Newitz, and Ishmael Reed will select 30 finalists, who will receive $200, and their work will be available for BART riders to print out in the form of a large receipt from four dispensers located in the Balboa Park, Richmond, Pleasant Hill, and Fruitvale stations.
“(People) don’t think about BART and art. We’re trying to change that,” said BART Chief Communications Officer Alicia Trost. “So many transit systems across the world have beautiful art, and we’re trying to find ways we can afford right now to bring art in the stations. This is a very inexpensive way to do that.”
BART installed the dispensers in March 2021, and more than 16,300 stories have already been printed. French company Short Édition makes the dispensers, which can be found in Paris and elsewhere in Europe. Entrants to the contest must be 18 and older (the agency is planning a separate youth contest) and residents of the five counties in which BART operates. Entries will be accepted through June but will be capped at 400.
Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District Board Appoints New Director
The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) Board of Directors has appointed Murphy McCalley to fill the vacant Ward 4 seat, representing portions of Hayward and San Leandro, as well as the unincorporated areas of Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Fairview, and San Lorenzo in Alameda County. Director McCalley will fill the remainder of the term on the Board, which expires in December 2022.
With an early life rooted in public transit, inevitably, transit became the template for McCalley's three-decades-long career, including the role of Chief Financial Officer at the former Los Angeles County Transportation Commission and San Diego's Metropolitan Transit Development Board. Following a distinguished executive career, he worked in the private sector and started a consulting practice specializing in transit finance.
Director McCalley has served as Vice Chair and Chair of the Alameda County Transportation Commission’s Independent Watchdog Committee, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Edge Foundation. He is an active member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oakland Alumni Booster Club; former Chair of the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Financial Management Committee; and recipient of the Federal Transit Administration Administrator’s Award for Innovative Finance. Learn more here.