By Arianna Smith
Managing Editor
Transit California
California Transit Association Executive Director Michael Pimentel honored with award
WTS Sacramento has recognized Michael Pimentel, Executive Director of the California Transit Association, with its prestigious Honorable Ray LaHood Award.
WTS Sacramento presents its Honorable Ray LaHood Award annually to a man who has led by example, seeking out opportunities to advance and advocate for women in his own organization, and who has actively ensured that women are able to compete for key positions of authority within that organization, and who has directly contributed to the advancement of women and minorities through opportunities in the transit field.
Pimentel was honored for his many years of Association leadership that has proven his dedication to creating a diverse transit and transportation industry, from numerous legislative and transit policy victories that are improving the lives of women and minority communities, to his strong commitment to promoting diverse viewpoints within the Association’s leadership roles and events.
WTS is an international organization dedicated to building the future of transportation through the global advancement of women. The Sacramento chapter supports hundreds of professionals throughout Northern California.
Pimentel was one of five recipients honored at the WTS Sacramento Annual Award & Scholarship dinner on January 30.
Orange County Transportation Authority: Balance, Resiliency, and Sustainability Guide OCTA’s 2025 Initiatives
OCTA Chair Doug Chaffee and CEO Darrell E. Johnson unveil action plan for OCTA to sustain and enhance an innovative transportation network for all Orange County
The Orange County Transportation Authority in 2025 is focusing on continuing to deliver the public with a transportation network that is balanced, reliable and equitable, while remaining fiscally responsible and resilient.
Those guiding principles are part of the 2025 Board and CEO Strategic Initiatives and Action Plan, which was unveiled during Monday’s board meeting by OCTA Chair Doug Chaffee and CEO Darrell E. Johnson.
Each year, the newly selected chair works with the CEO to create and present the document that guides the agency’s efforts throughout the coming year. The initiatives are then presented to the full 17-member Board, which reviewed this year's plan on Monday.
“This action plan is our roadmap for how to deliver on the promises made to voters through Measure M, to provide a reliable and equitable transportation system,” said OCTA Chair Doug Chaffee, also the County’s Fourth District Supervisor. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board to continue improving Orange County’s transportation network in the months ahead.”
The overarching initiatives for OCTA in 2025 include:
“By laying out these priorities at the start of the year, we ensure that OCTA Board members and staff are working together on an ambitious, equitable and sustainable plan to keep Orange County moving safely and efficiently,” CEO Johnson said.
2025 Advocacy Priorities Approved by MTC/ABAG
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments have approved the Final 2025 Joint Advocacy Program, expressing the agencies’ state and federal legislative priorities for the calendar year.
The number one advocacy priority in 2025 will be to secure new revenues for transit operations to sustain critical services and support a reliable, safe, easy-to-navigate and integrated transit network, including through securing legislative authorization for a regional transportation revenue measure in 2026.
To advance the region’s housing affordability goals, the agencies will also sponsor legislation to empower voters to place a regional housing revenue measure on the ballot via signature gathering.
Additional state advocacy priorities include support for forward-looking policy changes as well as maintaining existing funding for the transportation and housing strategies outlined in Plan Bay Area 2050, the adopted long-range regional plan for transportation, housing, the economy and the environment.
Specific priorities include:
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Improving the effectiveness of the transportation system as a whole, including Bay Area Toll Authority toll bridge operations, FasTrak® and Clipper® payment systems, Freeway Service Patrol, Express Lanes and high-occupancy vehicle lanes, and other transit priority improvements.
On the federal side, advocacy priorities include:
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Engaging in discussions related to the federal government’s role in transit operations, guided by the following principles:
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Defending existing clean air vehicle rules and standards against any efforts to undermine the Bay Area’s efforts to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and make our communities and transportation networks resilient to a changing climate.
Citations Begin for Vehicles Parked in SacRT Bus Stops
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) is alerting drivers that the City of Sacramento is now issuing citations to vehicles parked illegally in bus stops. This marks the next phase of SacRT’s Bus Stop Enforcement Program, which launched in December 2024 to improve rider safety, accessibility, and the reliability of bus service across Sacramento.
Since the start of the program, in December, 2,740 warnings were issued to vehicles obstructing bus stops between December 19, 2024 and February 11, 2025. The enforcement program, powered by advanced AI-enabled camera systems provided by Hayden AI, ensures clear and accessible bus stops for all passengers, including those with mobility challenges.
“Keeping bus stops clear is critical to ensuring the safety and accessibility of our transit system,” said SacRT General Manager/CEO Henry Li. “This program is a significant step forward in creating a safer, more reliable experience for our riders and bus operators while promoting sustainable and efficient public transit.”
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How It Works: One hundred (100) SacRT buses are equipped with forward-facing cameras that use artificial intelligence to detect parking violations within the City of Sacramento. Evidence packages, including video, photos, and location data, are reviewed by the City of Sacramento before issuing citations.
The enforcement program not only targets vehicles blocking bus stops but also extends to bike lane violations, supporting the City’s commitment to safer streets and sustainable transportation. Bike lane enforcement will begin later in 2025.
"The City of Sacramento is committed to keeping bus stops clear to ensure rider safety and prevent transit delays caused by illegally parked vehicles which create hazardous conditions for riders and delay transit service," said Staci Hovermale, Parking Manager, City of Sacramento. "Through our partnership with SacRT, we are addressing these challenges head-on, enhancing efficiency and reliability for everyone who depends on public transit and bike lanes."
SacRT’s program joins similar enforcement initiatives in major cities like Oakland, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and New York City, where technology-driven solutions have significantly improved transit operations and street safety.
California-based Hayden AI provides the automated bus stop and bike lane enforcement camera systems for SacRT buses and Duncan Solutions provides the violation processing software.
“At Hayden AI, we are proud to support SacRT and the City of Sacramento in their mission to make public transit safer, more reliable, and more accessible for everyone,” said Charles Territo, Chief Growth Officer at Hayden AI. “Our platform helps cities across the country change driver behavior and keep dedicated transit zones clear for buses. We are honored to help Sacramento deliver the benefits of clear, accessible bus stops to their riders.”
Why It Matters
Blocked bus stops force passengers to board or exit buses in unsafe areas, often into traffic, and can delay buses, impacting the entire transit system. By keeping bus stops clear, SacRT ensures safer boarding for riders, particularly seniors and individuals with disabilities, while improving overall service reliability.
Under Assembly Bill 917 (AB 917), California transit agencies have the authority to use forward-facing cameras to enforce parking restrictions in transit-only lanes and designated transit zones. This legal provision allows SacRT and other agencies statewide to take significant steps toward improving transit safety and accessibility by ensuring that bus stops remain clear and accessible.
SF Bay Ferry: Alameda Seaplane Ferry Route Celebrates 1 Million Riders
San Francisco Bay Ferry and the City of Alameda announced in February 2025 that more than 1 million passengers have now traveled on the Alameda Seaplane ferry route connecting Alameda Point to Downtown San Francisco since the route’s launch on July 1, 2021.
Ridership on the Seaplane route, which operates on weekdays, is the second highest for weekday service on the SF Bay Ferry system, averaging approximately 1,500 riders per day.
“One million riders on the Seaplane Lagoon Ferry is a huge accomplishment!” stated Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft. “Our dedicated ferry riders – the happiest commuters you will find – know that Seaplane offers an unbeatable commute – less than 20 minutes to San Francisco with breathtaking views and bike-friendly access. The City of Alameda looks forward to continuing its strong partnership with WETA to enhance the ferry experience for our residents for years to come.”
Strong ridership on the Alameda Seaplane route is consistent with ridership recovery across all SF Bay Ferry routes. The agency saw a 16% increase in ridership in 2024, with ridership continuing to grow into 2025.
“Connecting communities like Alameda’s west end to San Francisco is a great example of the ferry’s mission to provide safe, reliable and affordable transit across the Bay Area,” said SF Bay Ferry Board Chair Jim Wunderman. “The success of this route is due in large part to the hard work and great coordination with our partners in Alameda.”
The route serves Alameda’s West End and Alameda Point, connecting Alameda residents to San Francisco and those traveling eastbound to Alameda Point’s many attractions, including Spirits Alley, Radium Runway Performing Arts Center and Alameda Point Waterfront Park. The ferry leaves Alameda as early as 6:30 a.m. and returns from San Francisco as late as 10:20 p.m. every weekday.
SF Bay Ferry operates two other ferry terminals in Alameda, one at Main Street and the other at Harbor Bay in Bay Farm Isle. SF Bay Ferry also operates the Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle, a pilot service connecting Alameda Landing to Oakland’s Jack London Square.
The Alameda Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal opened in 2021. Its construction was funded by the Alameda County Transportation Commission, Alameda Point Partners, the City of Alameda and SF Bay Ferry.