By Transit California Staff
BART Board appoints new Independent Police Auditor
The BART Board of Directors has named Inez Gonzalez as the new BART Independent Police Auditor. The Office of the Independent Police Auditor (OIPA) is an essential part of the BART Civilian Oversight Model, which is among the most robust police oversight models in the country. The Board of Directors established both the OIPA and the BART Police Citizen Review Board in 2010. Gonzalez succeeds Rusell Bloom who was appointed Independent Police Auditor in 2016 and retired from BART earlier this year. Her first day on the job will be September 2, 2025.
“Inez Gonzalez has a wealth of experience that includes not only work in police oversight but also as a member of law enforcement,” said BART Board President Mark Foley. “BART has one of the most robust police oversight models in the country and it will be made even stronger thanks to the passion for equitable policing that Inez Gonzalez will bring to the Office of the Independent Police Auditor.”
Gonzalez brings more than 25 years of progressive experience in police oversight, law enforcement, and investigations to her new role as BART Independent Police Auditor. Gonalez most recently served as the Executive Director of the Police Civilian Oversight Board in Charlottesville, Virginia. While there she implemented a comprehensive civilian investigation program to promote integrity and systemic improvement in police services. Before that, Gonzalez rose to the rank of Captain in the Newark, New Jersey Police Department. Among her roles in Newark was serving as Commander of Internal Affairs where she directed complex investigative operations while ensuring compliance with department policies, attorney general guidelines, and state law.
“I am profoundly honored by the trust the BART Board of Directors has placed in me in appointing me as the Independent Police Auditor,” said Inez Gonzalez. “The Office of the Independent Police Auditor serves as a cornerstone of accountability, transparency, and fairness in policing. With integrity, impartiality, and purpose, I am committed to building upon the strong legacy established by my predecessors. I look forward to fostering collaborative relationships with the BART Police Citizen Review Board, BART leadership, and most importantly, the communities we serve.”
The mission of the OIPA is to provide effective and independent oversight of the BART Police Department by conducting unbiased and thorough investigations, monitoring internal affairs investigations, and making policy recommendations to improve the performance of the police department. OIPA also reports to the public and maintains communication with communities served by BART. The OIPA has unfettered access to police records, data, reports, and videos to perform their investigative and monitoring work. OIPA accepts complaints, including anonymously, and can investigate complaints from community members whether or not they were the victim of alleged police misconduct.
San Francisco Bay Ferry Earns a Sunset Magazine’s Travel Award
From “These Are the Easiest Ways to Get Around the West:
The old travel adage that it’s the journey, not the destination, rings true with these trans-Bay boats connecting locals and tourists from the city of San Francisco to Alameda, Jack London Square in Oakland, and more—for under $5.”
Congratulations to SF Bay Ferry for the much-deserved recognition!
San Diego Transit Agencies Announce Free Rides All Day Oct. 1
Free rides available Oct. 1 on MTS and NCTD services
San Diego’s transit agencies are asking residents to shake up their commutes on Wednesday Oct. 1 and get on board transit – for free. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit – San Diego Railroad (NCTD) are teaming up for Free Ride Day, an initiative designed to encourage people to try public transit.
All rides on MTS buses, Trolleys, and NCTD’s COASTER, SPRINTER, BREEZE fixed-routes, and NCTD+ on-demand services will be free of charge. Now in its sixth year, Free Ride Day is also part of California Clean Air Day, which encourages people across the state to make small changes to improve environmental health.
“As ridership on MTS continues to grow year-over-year, Free Ride Day is the perfect chance for residents to shake up their routines to give transit a try,” said Stephen Whitburn, MTS Board Chair and San Diego City Councilmember. “Whether you’re commuting to work or exploring the city, it’s an opportunity to experience how transit can help individuals save money, reduce congestion, improve air quality, and make our region more sustainable.”
Since the first Free Ride Day in 2018, ridership has consistently jumped—by as much as 30% over a typical weekday. During last year’s event, riders took more than 340,000 trips countywide, a 7.9% increase for MTS and 22% for NCTD compared to the 2023 Free Ride Day.
“NCTD is pleased to once again offer free rides this Clean Air Day to promote cleaner air in our communities,” said Priya Bhat-Patel, NCTD Board Chair and Carlsbad Mayor Pro Tempore. “Take the train or bus to work, school or someplace fun and do your part to help improve air quality.”
Transit riders on Free Ride Day can enjoy added benefits by choosing public transit:
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is also encouraging people to take part by pledging to walk, bike, carpool, or ride transit on Clean Air Day. People in the San Diego region drive more miles annually than the state average, making this year’s Clean Air Day the ideal moment to try alternatives. This year, eligible residents within the San Diego region who take the pledge and check the box to receive communications from trusted partners will be entered for the chance to win a folding e-bike, powered by Rad Power Bikes. Rad Power Bikes will coordinate prize redemption with the winner. Terms and conditions apply. Learn more and take the pledge at SANDAG.org/CleanAirDay.
For more details about Free Ride Day, visit sdmts.com/free-ride-day or GoNCTD.com.
About Free Ride Day
Free Ride Day will be valid on all MTS and NCTD fixed-route services including buses, the Trolley, SPRINTER and COASTER, and NCTD+ on-demand services (Amtrak Rail 2 Rail, MTS Access and NCTD LIFT paratransit are not part of this promotion). Passengers will not need a PRONTO card or valid fare for either system. MTS and NCTD services will operate on a normal weekday schedule. To plan a trip, visit the MTS or NCTD website and use the Trip Planner tool.
OCTA Delivers First Wave of Sand as Part of Coastal Rail Protection Efforts
The quarter-mile of sand being placed on North Beach in San Clemente over the next week is the initial deposit on a commitment to make sand a major part of emergency rail protection.
On September 5, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) marked a key milestone in its ongoing emergency effort to protect the coastal rail line with an initial sand nourishment effort getting underway in San Clemente.
More than 300 truckloads of sand from a quarry in Palm Springs, totaling approximately 3,400 cubic yards of sand, were scheduled to be delivered to the shoreline between the rail line and the ocean during September along a more than quarter-mile span of beach.
The sand is being placed along the beach as an immediate step to help reinforce the rail line while longer-term reinforcement work continues.
OCTA leaders emphasized that this first wave of sand is an important initial deposit on a much larger effort to place a total of up to 540,000 cubic yards of sand along the San Clemente coastline, pending sand sourcing and additional state and federal permitting approvals.
“I want to thank the collective effort of agencies and leaders at every level of government who helped make this initial sand placement a reality,” said OCTA Vice Chair Jamey M. Federico, also a Dana Point Councilmember. “Reaching this milestone was possible because of our federal and state partners, multiple agencies including the Federal Railroad Administration, the California State Transportation Agency, California Transportation Commission, the Coastal Commission, the City of San Clemente, and the community.”
The work is part of OCTA’s ongoing effort to focus on four priority areas to protect the rail line through south Orange County, which is a vital link in Southern California’s rail network for passengers, freight and military assets. The sand nourishment is estimated to cost about $900,000.
“This initial placement of sand highlights our dedication to securing our rail corridor and protecting our coast,” said OCTA Director Katrina Foley, also the county’s Fifth District Supervisor. “Unfortunately, slow, excessive bureaucracy prohibits OCTA from bringing the remaining sand San Clemente desperately needs. We must work collaboratively with all levels of government to expedite sand renourishment efforts and protect our iconic Orange County beaches.”
Additional work near Mariposa Point is scheduled to begin later this month and will include restoration of the popular San Clemente Pedestrian Beach Trail and construction of a nearly 1,400-foot-long catchment wall to protect the rail line from debris caused by sliding on the hill above. That work is scheduled to be completed in summer 2026.
The Emergency Rail Reinforcement Project
Over the past four years, San Clemente’s eroding bluffs – on both city and private property – have repeatedly forced the closure of the rail line that has operated largely uninterrupted for more than 125 years.
With the goal of preventing additional interruptions to service, OCTA is leading efforts to immediately reinforce four of the most vulnerable areas along the 7-mile stretch of rail in San Clemente while continuing a Coastal Rail Resiliency Study that will pursue additional solutions to protect the line for the next roughly 30 years.
The first part of that emergency work started in April and finished in June, including the strategic repair and placement of large boulders known as riprap to protect the track from coastal erosion.
OCTA worked in partnership with Metrolink and the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency, which operates Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner, to temporarily halt passenger service while that work was completed on an expedited construction schedule over six weeks. Current work to place the sand on the shoreline and subsequent work is not expected to affect passenger rail service.
The total package of projects in the four emergency areas is estimated to cost approximately $310 million. The project components consist of 95% sand and 5% armoring.
The state will also lead a separate study exploring longer-term solutions for keeping the rail line operating, perhaps including eventually moving the rail line inland. The schedule for that study has not yet been determined.
To stay updated on current efforts, please visit www.octa.net/railemergency.
MTC Debuts Grant Program for Community Organizations
Application Submittal Period Began September 26, 2025
MTC has released the CARE Power-building and Engagement (Pb+E) Grant Program Call for Projects for public review. This funding opportunity is geared toward community-based organizations (CBOs) to support organizations working to strengthen community leadership, build partnerships and implement community-driven housing and transportation projects. The early Call for Projects release is to encourage CBOs to start preparing their applications now.
The program will distribute $1.3 million to implement local projects from March 2026 through October 2026. The online application period opened Sept. 26, 2025 at 9 a.m., and will close on Oct. 9, 2025 at 5 p.m. PST. Review the Call for Projects, application materials and sign up to attend an information session.
Some examples under the three project categories include:
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Capacity Building: Leadership development, education and training programs, engagement activities, and organizational development
All grantees will receive professional coaching, technical assistance (as available), peer learning opportunities and in-person convenings.
To learn more about grantee organization requirements, program requirements, funding availability and more, please visit the CARE Pb+E Program webpage.
Organizations are also encouraged to sign up for the mailing list to receive updates and complete Call for Projects information.
Monterey-Salinas Transit: Transit Ridership in City of Salinas Rebounds, Exceeding Pre-Covid Levels
Many California urban, suburban, and rural areas have been struggling to regain transit ridership losses caused by fundamental shifts in worker commute patterns that resulted during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. One bright exception to this is the California Central Coast City of Salinas, where transit ridership in the city reached 1,262,930, exceeding pre-COVID ridership levels by 8% for the year ending June 30, 2025, as reported by the Monterey-Salinas Transit District.
“The rapid growth in transit ridership in the city is directly attributable to the implementation of the Better Bus Network in December 2022,” said MST General Manager/CEO, Carl Sedoryk. The Better Bus Network was a conscious attempt to realign limited transit resources and deploy them to where they would be best utilized – in cities within Monterey County that had the highest density, lower incomes, and lower rates of car ownership, all of which support increased transit usage.” Transit trips with the City of Salinas now comprise over 44% of all transit trips in Monterey County as compared to only 29% in 2019.
Transit ridership growth in cities on the Monterey Peninsula has not rebounded as quickly as Salinas and remains below pre-COVID pandemic levels largely in part due to the discontinuation of transit services on the campus of the US Army Presidio of Monterey, Defense Language Institute, and the discontinuation of weekend MST Trolley services during the Labor Day to Memorial Day off-peak tourism season. These services were provided on a contract basis, and due to budget issues within the Presidio and City of Monterey, they could not be continued.
Transit ridership remains strong between the Cities of Marina and Seaside, where many hospitality workers reside and use transit to reach the hospitality job centers in the cities of Monterey, Pacific Grove, and Carmel-by-the Sea, with most weekday peak trips experiencing standing room only loads. New services, including an MST provided $500 per month subsidy for work commute vanpools, were initiated as part of the Better Bus Network and have resulted in 43 new vanpools resulting in over 89,000 annual trips countywide.
“This is proof positive, that a plan executed with the intention of providing more transit service where it is needed most can result in dramatic increases in ridership,” said Sedoryk. As a result of these efforts, along with investments in innovative Tap-to-Ride technologies and other efforts to improve the overall transit customer experience have led to MST being selected as the 2025 Best Public Transit Operator in small urban rural areas by the American Public Transportation Association.
SFMTA Celebration for Transit Month 2025
As part of Transit Month in September, the SFMTA celebrated Muni through a variety of events and activities across the city with community, businesses and visitors
In September, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) with Mayor Daniel Lurie, members of the Board of Supervisors, the San Francisco Transit Riders and community kicked off a citywide celebration for Transit Month. Throughout September, SFMTA showcased Muni’s central role in San Francisco’s economic vitality and the lives of San Franciscans while promoting pride in riding transit.
Muni, like transit agencies across the country, is facing devastating impacts caused by ongoing financial challenges. This week the SFMTA released five-year Through month-long activations, the agency aims to encourage ridership on transit across San Francisco — reminding residents that strong public transit is essential to the city’s future.
“Just like San Francisco, Muni is on the rise,” said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. “We are seeing record ridership since the pandemic and customer service ratings are the highest in Muni’s history. But the collapse of downtown during the pandemic has left SFMTA in a fiscal crisis, which is why we are responsibly making operations more efficient and cracking down on fare evasion while protecting services. San Franciscans use many forms of transportation—buses, trains, bikes, and cars - but we can all agree that San Francisco’s comeback relies on having a safe, reliable and affordable public transit system. That’s what we will deliver.”
During the kick-off week, the SFMTA led a series of events and celebrations designed to bring transit to the forefront of community life. From pop-up events and interactive games to storytelling, cultural partnerships, and special programming, Transit Month aimed to invite residents to rediscover the value and joy of public transit.
“This is one of the best times of the year when the Bay Area celebrates the transit systems that connect us,” said Julie Kirschbaum, SFMTA Director of Transportation. “Muni has always been an essential way for people to get around San Francisco, and this month shows how our riders come together as a community that keeps the City thriving. We’re thankful to Mayor Lurie, our regional partners and San Francisco Transit Riders for collaborating with us to show everyone why Muni matters.”
Additionally, the SFMTA launched this year’s Muni Holiday Pullover, further celebrating Transit Month. The patchwork design features the city’s diverse neighborhoods and treasured landmarks and cultural institutions that make San Francisco a world class destination.
“The world's best cities are defined by their extensive public transit systems, and we in the Bay Area take pride in having that foundation,” said Sara Johnson, Executive Director of San Francisco Transit Riders. “Adventure starts on transit- from discovering our many diverse communities and events to reducing our environmental impact, every trip contributes to a more connected, sustainable region. This month I challenge you to embrace our public transit systems, journey outside your comfort zone, and experience why continued investments in transit are essential for our Bay Area's future."
WestCAT Lynx Celebrates 20 Years of Service Connecting Communities
WestCAT Lynx is proud to celebrate its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of reliable, safe, and community-focused transportation. Since launching in September 2005, the Lynx express bus has connected thousands of riders between Contra Costa County and San Francisco, becoming an essential part of the region's transit network.
In celebration of 20 years on the road, WestCAT offered 20 days of FREE rides on Lynx buses. Riders are encouraged to share their stories on social media using #LynxTurn20 and #MyLynxStory for a chance to be featured online and win special limited-edition prizes.
“We are grateful for the loyalty and trust our riders have shown over the past 20 years,” said Rob Thompson, General Manager of WestCAT. “This milestone celebrates our community, our employees, and the connections the Lynx has fostered.”
City of Hayward Launches Age-Friendly Paratransit Service with Onward’s New Text2Book Technology
The City of Hayward, in partnership with Onward, have partnered to launch Text2Book ordering software, a paratransit scheduling experience designed to improve transportation access for older adults and individuals with mobility challenges in the Hayward community, and Companion Rides.
Eligible HOP riders can now choose from three levels of transportation—Rideshare, Companion Rides, and Wheelchair-Accessible Vans (WAVs)—using Onward’s new SMS enabled Text2Book technology. Riders can book rides, check trip status and details, or cancel a rides via a link in their text messages.
The program’s Text2Book feature has quickly gained traction with riders: 72.8% of all rideshare trips have been booked via text, demonstrating a strong preference for the new, mobile-first experience. The service does not require an app download or a password to remember, simply verifying a rider’s eligibility based on date of birth, greatly simplifying steps for older adults.
Onward’s integrated platform also gives the HOP team a unified, data-driven view of transportation usage across all ride types—improving reporting, compliance, and long-term planning for paratransit operations.
With the addition of Companion Rides, HOP Riders can now choose to connect with a trained, FTA-compliant Companion Driver who provides door-through-door assistance and supports individuals who need extra time or utilize mobility devices. Learn more about Companion Rides on the website.
This launch builds on Onward’s trusted service across Alameda County, where it currently supports Alameda Health System, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, Center for Elders’ Independence, individual riders, and several senior living communities.
Onward is not an enrollment partner for the Hayward HOP program—riders must first enroll with the City of Hayward to participate.
Highlights from the 2025 Mineta Summer Transportation Academy
On July 7th, 2025, twenty-nine high school students from all across the San Francisco Bay Area embarked on a unique journey that helped them see a variety of possibilities for their future as they explored university life and the transformative power of careers in mobility.
Since 2006, MTI’s annual summer program has given hundreds of 9th-12th grade students the opportunity to explore the transportation industry and its impact on their own communities and the chance to try on an immersive non-resident college experience at San Jose State University. The program engages youth with exciting hands-on learning opportunities where they learn about mobility-focused careers and hone skills that will support them in their academic (and eventually their professional) journeys. This year’s Mineta Summer Transportation Academy (MiSTA) is a part of CRISI: Promoting Railroading Careers and Developing the Current Rail Industry Workforce, FRA-funded project led by the Center for Urban Transportation Research at University of South Florida to revitalize the railroad industry workforce.
In late 2024, MTI’s flagship high school program rebranded with help from San José State University’s Graphic Design BFA seniors. With MTI’s $1,000 sponsorship of the program’s BFA Senior Show, a team of design students worked on a real-world client project: creating a fresh vibrant visual identity for MiSTA. They created a new logo, t-shirt, flyer, and social media graphics—all designed with accessibility, user experience, and visual clarity in mind. The new identity for MiSTA captures what the program is about (learning and mobility!) in effective eye-catching visuals, helping better represent the program and attract new participants.
This year’s participants began their journey with a field trip touring the SJSU campus, a guest lecture from MTI Research Associate Dr. William (Billy) Riggs on AI in transportation, and field trips to the Behavior, Accessibility, and Technology (BAT) Lab, GoMentum Station, Diridon Station, and the Spartan Racing shops—all in the first week! At the BAT Lab, Dr. Gaojian Huang and Dr. Yue Luo showcased pioneering research on human-machine interaction, accessibility, and automated vehicles to the delight of program participants. At the GoMentum Station field trip, hosted by our partners at Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), MiSTA students experienced firsthand how autonomous technology is developed, tested, and deployed to enhance safety and accessibility in transportation. They even took a ride in May Mobility’s PRESTO shuttle and designed their own AV test scenarios during a hands-on session with CCTA. Students also took part in the most-talked-about activities of the summer: a geographic information science presentation & drone flying activity with UC Santa Cruz’s Dr. Bo Yang.
Other highlights from this year include visits to San Jose International Airport, the San Jose Department of Transportation (SJDOT) at City Hall and the Transportation Incident Management Center (TiMC), the offices of infrastructure design firm HNTB, the bus yard of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), Glydways in Richmond, and more. The students also heard from Daniel Heine from the German rail operator Deustche Bahn and California High-Speed Rail Authority PIO Augie Blancas, who took them on a tour of an active HSR construction site in Fresno. After they heard about safety, policy, and construction issues, the students climbed up the Cedar Viaduct, which spans more than 3,700 feet in length and more than 40 feet in width. This moment, like many others during the summer program, are truly once-in-a-lifetime behind-the-scenes experiences. “If we want the next generation to focus on transportation, we need to make it something they can get excited about,” says MTI Deputy Executive Director Hilary Nixon, who led the delivery of the program.
Throughout the program, the participants heard from esteemed guests such as Rod Diridon, Sr. and Dr. Karen Philbrick, who spoke on their areas of expertise and offered personalized advice and mentoring, as well as inspiration. Rod, the Retired Founding Executive Director of the Mineta Transportation Institute, is often called the “father of modern transit in Silicon Valley.” Sharing stories from his decades of public service, he detailed how he helped bring light rail to the region and supported the passage of California’s first transit sales tax. He spoke about his time chairing the California High-Speed Rail Authority and shared insights on building a career in transportation with resilience and purpose. Dr. Karen Philbrick, MTI’s current Executive Director, spoke about leading the institute today, emphasizing the importance of driving growth with safety and innovation always at the forefront. She invited students to consider their roles in their communities and what part they might take in the future of transportation.
MiSTA participant Angelina Cider said she learned from these lectures to be aware of and grab onto any opportunity that presents itself. “I learned…opportunities come from unexpected places,” she said, Dr. Philbrick’s lecture. Similarly, participant Lucas Wu said, “One of my key takeaways from this whole program is to always say ‘yes’ to opportunity. I feel like many people in society these days are scared to take their moment when it’s given to them, but you never know what these little moments can lead to.”
As the two-week journey wrapped up, students gathered for the program graduation, connecting over shared sentiments about the impact of MiSTA on their summer and their potential futures. Participant David Rabinovich spoke of what resonated most with him, “The most impactful thing for me was just meeting all the guest speakers and professionals. Learning a lot and making connections—not only with the speakers but with all of [my fellow participants].” This program continues to build opportunities and connections for these students. David will be meeting with Rod Diridon next month to continue and build upon this professional mentorship.
MiSTA is more than a summer program for these high schoolers—it is a path laid forward in the right direction. Over two weeks, students stepped into university life, explored cutting-edge technologies, connected with industry leaders, and discovered that transportation is not just about getting from point A to point B—it’s about shaping the future of communities, the environment, and the world. Whether they go on to design sustainable transit systems, lead policy changes, or engineer the next generation of mobility solutions, MiSTA alum will carry forward the skills, networks, and confidence they gained this summer—ready to seize opportunities and help move the world forward. Participant Arlene Bui summed up the 2025 experience when she said, “Surrounded by all these inspirational leaders and my peers, and even though we all come from different backgrounds, we are all similar in that we share one common goal: connection.” That is what transportation is all about.