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.
Secretary Buttigieg, Congresswoman Lee, and Mayor Schaaf Tour Oakland on AC Transit
The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) proudly welcomed the United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and an array of media outlets to see real-time how decades-old transportation projects harmed and literally divided East Oakland, now and historically home to some of the East Bay's most disadvantaged residents.
“When we are making an investment in equitable improvements in transportation, that includes a recognition of the inequity in safety outcomes,” said Secretary Buttigieg. Buttigieg went on to say transportation projects ultimately segregated people of color, often African American neighborhoods, which limited or eliminated access to jobs and increased poor health outcomes.
AC Transit operates throughout Oakland, including the city's most under-resourced neighborhoods. Sixty percent of AC Transit riders are low-income, and nearly 70 percent are people of color. The tour began in an area designated under AC Transit's Clean Corridors Plan, where the agency has prioritized the daily deployment of zero-emission buses on an array of bus lines in disadvantaged communities.
“We are proud to be a leader in the deployment of fuel cell and battery electric buses, but we need $2.5 billion to buy more and build new zero-emission bus infrastructure,” said Joel Young, AC Transit Board Vice President. “During the tour, we showed Secretary Buttigieg that our transit district is already reconnecting communities with the launch of Tempo-BRT, now celebrating its second successful year of operation. And with additional federal funding, I am confident AC Transit can continue to help our region achieve greater equity through transit.”
“AC Transit was the first to adopt fuel cell technology, and although the technology is now being used around the country, it was AC Transit that led the way,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee.
“I want to thank AC Transit with our zero-emission bus, it’s a great example of our city’s commitment and our deep partnership with you, Secretary Buttigieg,” said City of Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.
Agencies Partner on Pilot Program Letting Ventura County Youth Ride Transit Free
Camarillo Area Transit, Gold Coast Transit District, Kanan Shuttle, Moorpark City Transit, Ojai Trolley, Simi Valley Transit, Thousand Oaks Transit, Valley Express, and Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) Intercity Service are collaborating to implement the Youth Ride Free program.
As of September 1, anyone 18 or younger is eligible to use fixed-route and general purpose dial-a-ride services for free. Students older than 18 who are enrolled in high school are also eligible. Riders can travel to any destination at any time, not just to get to and from school.
“The Youth Ride Free program is a way to introduce public transit to the younger people in our community and encourage them to become lifelong public transit users,” said VCTC Executive Director Martin Erickson. “Increased transit ridership means less congestion on streets and highways and will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By offering free fares for youths, transit operators in Ventura County also can provide some economic relief to families who are struggling with high gas prices and other rising costs due to inflation.”
The pilot Youth Ride Free program is funded by a grant obtained and administered by VCTC from California’s Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP), which provides funds to public transportation agencies for investments in capital projects and services that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve mobility. The Youth Ride Free program will run through 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Metrolink Launches Discount Program for Low-Income Train Riders
Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) passengers with a California Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card are now eligible for a 50 percent discount on all Metrolink tickets and passes. Riders can use their EBT card at any Metrolink station ticket machine to validate and unlock the discount.
Funding for the discount is made possible by a grant from the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP), administered by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
“We are grateful to Caltrans for providing the funding to make this program happen,” said Metrolink Board Chair Ara Najarian. “This fare discount advances Metrolink's commitment to public transportation equity and accessibility across the six counties we serve."
"It’s exciting to introduce new riders to Metrolink trains,” said Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle. “More people in Southern California will now be able to make vital connections to work, school, family, housing and more.”
A California EBT card is required to validate the discount, while an alternative form of payment is needed to complete the ticket purchase. The discount program will be available for one year or until the grant funds are depleted.
MTD Board of Directors Approves Option Agreement with ConAm to Jointly Develop Housing
After an extensive request for qualifications and proposals (RFQ/RFP) and negotiating process, the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve an option to ground lease agreement with ConAM RE Investments, LLC (ConAm) to jointly develop transit-oriented, multifamily rental housing on MTD’s vacant property on Calle Real in the Eastern Goleta Valley.
Based on the project parameters set by MTD in the RFQ/RFP, ConAm has proposed a transit-oriented development project with approximately 333 residential rental units with not less than 15% of the total units affordable to very-low, low-, and moderate-income households. The affordable units will be income-restricted through recorded long-term covenants and integrated throughout the overall project site. The project will include onsite amenities for the residents and an after-school learning center. The project is adjacent to MTD’s Line 7 route and will provide new transit riders, as well as the opportunity for MTD to expand its operations throughout its service area.
The project must be reviewed and approved by the County of Santa Barbara and other government agencies with jurisdiction over the property.
“Housing is the biggest crisis facing our community today,” said Dave Davis, MTD’s Board Chair. “We are proud that MTD is able to enter into an agreement with the aim of producing new transit-oriented housing supply on our property that is consistent with the County’s Eastern Goleta Valley Community Plan, while providing an opportunity for MTD to further expand its transit services in eastern Goleta.”
Kam Shadan Becomes PMA’s Executive Director, National Transit & Rail Practice
Kam Shadan, PE, has become PMA’s Executive Director, National Transit & Rail Practice, a new corporate operations group, reporting to the office of the CEO, based out of PMA’s San Francisco Office. Kam will help grow and serve PMA’s transit and rail clients nationwide, including work within the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Project Management Oversight Program, providing program management and owner representation services.
Kam has managed mega capital programs with budgets valued in billions of dollars. He is a nationally recognized leader of major transit and rail capital projects with established relationships in the western U.S. that have resulted in numerous rail transit awarded contracts in Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
PMA Executive Director Bruce Stephan noted, “PMA is very pleased that Kam selected PMA over other firms providing FTA PMOC work. Kam is uniquely qualified to step into this role because he has led an FTA PMOC practice since 1998 and built an FTA team of more than a dozen dedicated staff.”
Kam is the lead author of the Construction Project Management Handbook, published by the FTA. The handbook provides authoritative guidelines for public transit agencies and FTA regional offices on FTA-funded projects. Kam has also served as an expert forensic witness and created a seminar titled, “Construction Project Management Standards of Care,” accredited by the California Bar Association for continuing legal education. Kam has presented several papers on design-build project delivery and on mega capital program oversight at industry conferences; he has also published additional articles in relevant publications.
BART Celebrates 50th Anniversary With Half-off Fares and More
On September 11, 2022, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) marked its 50th Anniversary of providing service. The agency celebrated all month with half-off fares, storytelling, in-person and virtual events, a short story contest, and more. Riders using Clipper enjoyed 50% discounts on all published BART fares, including already discounted fares for youth, senior, Regional Transportation Connection, Clipper Start, and Gator Pass riders.
September 3-9, Powell St. Station’s concourse level (a free area) featured a BART arcade. This was a throwback to 1976, when BART partnered with Atari to place a six-game, six-sided console on the platform level to promote the gaming company’s new games and bring revenue to BART through the 25-cent per play cost. To commemorate the 50th Anniversary, BART rented four vintage full-size arcade games, including Pac-Man, Asteroids, Space Invaders, and Galaga. All games were set to free play.
BART held its birthday party on Saturday September 10 at Lake Merritt Station, with food trucks, music, and educational activities. Lake Merritt Station became a veritable BART museum with areas usually reserved for advertising filled with archival photos, historic BART maps, and a timeline of BART milestones.
BART is also holding three concerts at stations across the system, with the final concert being held on October 7. “Sound Tracks” concerts are free and open to the public. In addition to music, the October 7 event will feature a Litquake reading with some of the finalists from our BART Lines Short Story Contest. BART is also offering 50th Anniversary merchandise at railgoods.com.
SacRT and Sacramento Public Library Launch Rolling Library Train
On August 31, the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) and the Sacramento Public Library launched Sacramento’s first Rolling Library Train during an event at the Cosumnes River College Station. The interior of the train has been reimagined to resemble books on shelves. Riders can use QR codes to access free downloadable materials from the Sacramento Public Library. The virtual library train will travel on both the Blue and Gold light rail lines.
“SacRT and the Sacramento Public Library are community pillars, and it is wonderful to see this partnership highlighting their vital work for our region,” said Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06). “The transformation of a light rail vehicle into a rolling library will bring knowledge and information right to our community members. This unique partnership not only promotes literacy and mobility, but also showcases the abundance of additional resources the library has to offer.”
“SacRT is delighted to be able to provide an innovative and engaging way to advertise free services provided by an important community partner,” 
said General Manager/CEO Henry Li. “The virtual program reflects our ongoing efforts to expand the role we play in the greater community.”
“This partnership really highlights the nexus between public transit and community value,” said SacRT Board Chair and City of Citrus Heights Councilmember Steve Miller. “Having a virtual rolling library not only provides free access to learning resources and professional development tools, but it also encourages more people to ride transit instead of driving.”
“Between SacRT’s RydeFreeRT program and the Sacramento Public Library’s Summer Youth Leadership Program and Teen Resources, it makes perfect sense for them to join forces with the launch of the Rolling Library,” said SacRT Board Director and Sacramento Councilmember Jay Schenirer. “We are removing barriers for young people to further their education and connecting them with core resources for success.”