By Transit California Staff
Beware of scams related to the SB 125 Transit Program
The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) has received reports of scams involving individuals posing as representatives of the SB 125 Transit Program. Only use official communications from CalSTA to verify program details and funding procedures. If you receive suspicious emails, calls, or messages asking for sensitive information or payments, do not respond or share any information. Please report any suspicious activity to CalSTA immediately.
San Joaquin RTD Wins National Safety and Security Honors at the 2025 APTA Awards
San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) has received two national First Place Gold Awards from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) in 2025.
RTD was recognized with the following honors:
Presented each year at APTA’s Annual Bus and Paratransit Conference, these awards highlight transit agencies that go above and beyond to protect riders, employees, and facilities.
So, what set RTD apart?
Over the past year, we introduced new safety initiatives, expanded our Safety Department, enhanced employee training, and made facility improvements focused on reducing risk. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to strengthen public trust and create a secure transit experience for everyone in our community.
These awards are a reflection of the dedication shown by every RTD department. From operations and facilities to maintenance and administration, our team works together to keep safety and security at the core of everything we do.
We’re honored by this national recognition and grateful to the employees whose efforts made it possible. Thank you for riding with RTD.
AC TRANSIT ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF ITS NEW GENERAL MANAGER & CEO
Salvador Llamas elevated from COO to General Manager-CEO
The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Salvador “Sal” Llamas as the transit district’s new General Manager and Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Llamas’ appointment follows an extensive national search led by Krauthamer & Associates, a firm with over 50 years of experience placing executives across transit, aerospace, financial services, technology, banking, defense, healthcare, and education sectors. The selection process also included listening sessions with the communities AC Transit has proudly served for 65 years, as well as with its dedicated employees – whose input helped shape the priorities and desired leadership qualities for the transit district's next General Manager.
"Each finalist for the GM-CEO position demonstrated strong strategic leadership and vision. However, what set Mr. Llamas apart was his well-established relationship with our diverse workforce of approximately 2,300 employees, as well as, his deep familiarity with the Bay Area and its unique transit demands," said Board President Diane Shaw. "As AC Transit's Chief Operating Officer, he has shown a comprehensive understanding of our operating and capital budgets – an asset critical to ensuring the District's immediate and long-term stability. With the new fiscal year ushering in a period of undeniable transition, the Board recognized the need for a solutions-oriented executive who can guide us through ongoing fiscal challenges with agility and foresight. We are confident that Mr. Llamas brings all these qualities, and more, to his new role as GM-CEO."
Mr. Llamas has been a dedicated member of the AC Transit family since 2012, when he joined as Director of Maintenance, later rising to Chief Operating Officer in 2017. Over the past 13 years, he has delivered measurable results, including a nearly 10% improvement in on-time performance and a 43% reduction in accident rates. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Llamas served as Incident Commander for the District’s Emergency Operations Center, guiding AC Transit through one of its most challenging periods.
He led major strategic initiatives, including the development of the Transit Asset Management Plan (TAM), the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP), and the nationally recognized 5X5 Study, now considered a definitive roadmap for transit agencies transitioning to zero emission fleets.
As a young person, transit was more than just a mode of transportation for Mr. Llamas – it was a lifeline that helped meet his family's daily needs. After serving eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Mr. Llamas returned to Los Angeles with a deep desire to give back. He began what he calls the start of "paying it forward" to his community, starting as an Equipment Maintenance Supervisor at LA Metro. His dedication and hard work led him to quickly rise through the ranks, ultimately becoming Maintenance Operations Manager there before embarking on a trajectory of success at AC Transit. His career path underscores the power of service and the drive to make a lasting impact.
"I am deeply honored by the Board's confidence in me as the new GM and CEO. While AC Transit faces challenges ahead, I will rely on the core principles of 'improvise, adapt, and overcome' as we begin this next chapter in transit," said Salvador Llamas. "My time with the District has only strengthened my resolve that our bus lines are essential lifelines, driving the success of the East Bay. That success takes a team, and AC Transit is home to some of the most ingenious professionals in the industry. Although the pandemic has shifted rider demands, it will not shift our time-honored commitment to equitable, reliable, accessible, and, most importantly, affordable transit. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue our shared mission as General Manager.”
Mr. Llamas holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an array of leadership certifications, including the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Eno Center for Transportation, and the National Transit Institute (NTI) to name a few. He is also dedicated to fostering new transit careers through his active involvement with Latinos in Transit (LIT).
Mr. Llamas officially assumed the role of General Manager on May 15, 2025.
AC Transit extends its thanks to Interim General Manager Kathleen Kelly for bringing her seasoned transit expertise to this critical transition. Her leadership ensured stability and progress, and we are truly appreciative for her dedication to the District and the communities we serve.
First Orange County Streetcar Vehicle Unveiled in Santa Ana
Vehicle delivery marks major milestone toward launch of Orange County’s first modern streetcar system, set to begin testing this summer, with service slated to begin in spring 2026
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) unveiled the first vehicle that will operate on the OC Streetcar system, giving OCTA Board members and elected officials a first look at what will be the county’s first modern, electric streetcar and another important zero-emission transit option for central Orange County.
The vehicle, manufactured by Siemens Mobility in Sacramento, is the first of eight to be delivered for the OC Streetcar. Attendees at the event, held at the streetcar’s base in Santa Ana, were invited to walk through the vehicle and learn about its design and features from OCTA staff.
“The arrival of the first OC Streetcar vehicle is an exciting moment for Orange County and a clear sign of the strong progress we’re making toward getting the system running,” said OCTA Chair Doug Chaffee, also the county’s Fourth District Supervisor. “We’re looking forward to beginning testing and ultimately launching a safe, reliable transit option that will better connect people to where they live, work and spend time.”
The features of the Siemens S700 vehicle include:
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The vehicle’s maximum operating speed is 44 mph, which will be reached along the former Pacific Electric (PE) right of way. Street-running segments will operate at or below the speed limit to ensure safe and predictable travel while operating alongside other cars, cyclists and pedestrians. The OC Streetcar will run on electricity from an overhead catenary system, producing zero emissions as it runs along the track.
Additional features include:
The OC Streetcar will run on a 4-mile route between the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center and Harbor Boulevard in Garden Grove. It will serve some of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the county, Downtown Santa Ana and the Civic Center, and connect with Metrolink rail service, regional and international bus services and OCTA’s busiest local bus routes.
Up to six vehicles will be in service daily, with two spares rotating in as needed, and stops will occur every 10 to 15 minutes at 10 stations in each direction.
The OC Streetcar is being constructed in coordination with the cities of Santa Ana and Garden Grove, the California Department of Transportation, and the Federal Transit Administration. The $649 million project is funded with federal, state and local dollars, including Measure M, the county’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements.
The track for the streetcar project is finished along the entire route and, overall, the project is approximately 92% finished. Testing of the OC Streetcar vehicles is set to begin in coming weeks in the PE right of way, then later in the year move to city streets. Following months of testing, the public operations are slated to begin in spring 2026.
For more information about the project, visit www.ocstreetcar.com.
Golden Empire Transit District Celebrates Bike Month with Photo Contest
In celebration of National Bike Month, Golden Empire Transit District (GET) invites the community to show their passion for cycling by participating in a social media photo contest. Residents and visitors alike can enter for a chance to win one of three $100 Visa gift cards.
To enter, participants are encouraged to snap a photo of themselves with their bike at any GET transit center, bus stop, or along their favorite route. Simply post the photo to Facebook or Instagram, tag @GETBus, and use the hashtag #BikeGET to qualify.
Entries will be accepted through May 29, 2025. Three winners will be randomly selected on May 30, 2025, and notified via social media. No purchase is necessary to participate, and entrants do not need to be present to win.
“This contest is a great way to highlight how biking and public transit go hand-in-hand,” said GET CEO Chris James. “We’re excited to see the community’s creativity and how residents are using bikes to get around town.”
For more information, follow @GETBus on Facebook and Instagram, visit getbus.org or call (661) 869-2GET.
Founded in July 1973, the Golden Empire Transit District (GET) is the primary public transportation provider for the Bakersfield Urbanized Area and the largest transit system within a 110-mile radius. GET operates 16 routes seven days a week, with a fleet of 81 compressed natural gas buses (CNG), all equipped with wheelchair lifts and bike racks, providing 3.5 million trips annually. GET also operates 49 compressed natural gas GET-A-LIFT paratransit buses and 14 Hydrogen Fuel Cell buses.
San Diego MTS and Pacific Arts Movement Unveil Special AAPI Heritage Month PRONTO Card
Local artist Koy Sun designed the artwork for the commemorative card
In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and Pacific Arts Movement (Pac Arts) proudly unveiled a special edition PRONTO card and limited-time bus wrap featuring artwork by San Diego-based AAPI artist Koy Suntichotinun, also known as Koy Sun. These public art activations honor the vibrant cultures, histories, and contributions of the AAPI community in San Diego and beyond.
“At MTS, we’re proud to celebrate the rich cultural contributions of the AAPI community through this unique collaboration with Pacific Arts Movement and Koy Sun,” said Stephen Whitburn, MTS Board Chair and San Diego City Councilmember for District 3. “This initiative celebrates the diverse stories that shape San Diego’s identity and reflect the communities we serve. We look forward to continuing this tradition with future commemorative cards that honor the cultures, events and partners that make our region so vibrant.”
The commemorative AAPI PRONTO card is part of MTS’s Community Celebration Program, an initiative which honors and features the many San Diego County communities the transit system serves. The groundwork for the program began in 2023, when MTS released cards for longtime partner the San Diego Padres, as well as the San Diego Pride Parade and Festival. These first cards were followed by a San Diego Comic-Con card in 2024. Due to the popularity of these custom cards, in late 2024, the PRONTO Community Celebration Program was formed to allow MTS to commission local artists and/or partner with community organizations to commission custom art to promote the events and communities that make San Diego so vibrant.
“At Pacific Arts Movement, we believe in the power of art to amplify community voices and tell important stories,” said Alex Villafuerte, Executive Director of Pacific Arts Movement. “It’s been a pleasure collaborating with local artist Koy Sun, whose artwork beautifully captures the vibrant essence of Asian American experiences. Uplifting artists and storytellers is vital to shaping the narrative of our culture, and this project is a wonderful way to celebrate that creativity.”
The bus wrap and PRONTO card’s design, created by Koy Sun, showcases a playful and vibrant scene of Asian American kids riding the bus, highlighting a shared cultural experience around food that resonates with many in the community.
“This piece is a tribute to the incredible grocery stores we have in San Diego,” said artist Koy Sun. “For so many of us, places like Vien Dong, Seafood City, Sin Lee Food, 99 Ranch Market, H-Mart and Mitsuwa aren’t just where we grab ingredients—they’re cultural hubs. They’re where families stock up for Lunar New Year, where elders plan bus trips and where we all find a taste of home.”
The artwork features classic and recognizable Asian American snacks and foods, reflecting the flavors and memories that bring comfort and connection. Sun, a San Diego-based artist, draws from their own upbringing and the cultural distinctiveness of the local AAPI community, capturing the joyful moments of everyday life and celebrating the foods that have become integral to Asian American identity.
Additionally, the custom bus wrap featuring Koy Sun’s artwork is running on MTS routes throughout the month of May, offering riders and passersby a joyful and visible reminder of the San Diego AAPI community’s impact on arts and culture.
Future planned commemorative PRONTO card artwork includes Pride Month (2025), Hispanic Heritage Month (2025), San Diego FC (2025) and Black History Month (2026).
Metropolitan Transportation Commission: Bay Area Celebrates All Aboard Transit Day
Bay Area transit agencies joined with MTC and the Bay Area Air District on Tuesday, May 6 to celebrate All Aboard Bay Area Transit Day at the downtown San Francisco Ferry Terminal.
Themes included the continuing growth of post-pandemic ridership, the importance of transit’s support for the Bay Area economy; speed, safety, comfort and convenience improvements; and the connection between transit use and clean air — a timely reminder with May marking the start of the 2025 summer smog season.
And Bay Area transit agencies are riding a wave of increasing ridership in the first three months of 2025 that was felt across the region.
Many agencies posted double digit gains in ridership compared with the same period last year. Caltrain led the charge with a 50% ridership increase over the first three months of 2025 fueled largely by the agency’s switch to an all-electric service. The nine agencies reporting gains handled a combined total of 3.24 million more trips from January through March compared with the same period in 2024.
The Bay Area’s transit agencies, working with MTC, are prioritizing collaboration to make the rider experience more seamless. The goal is to make transit more connected, more efficient, and more user friendly. These efforts include a regional mapping and wayfinding project to provide a unified look and feel for maps and directional signs. Transit agencies have also been working together to identify opportunities to reduce total travel times across services and coordinate schedule changes.
MTC and Bay Area transit agencies have a joint website to share the various projects they are coordinating on to improve transit. Learn more at allaboardbayarea.com