Next week: Two opportunities to support seamless transit reforms
Next week, there are two important opportunities to speak up in support of seamless transit and the policy reforms that can make it a reality.
On Monday, May 24 at 1:00 pm PT, the Blue Ribbon Transit Recovery Task Force is discussing potential roles and responsibilities for a Bay Area Transportation Network Manager - an entity that would oversee the integration of the Bay Area’s 27 transit systems. Following Monday’s discussion, the Task Force will be analyzing alternative network manager concepts to be studied in a business case. Seamless Bay Area’s network manager options are being considered, as well as other ideas for network manager structures proposed by the MTC, transit operators, and others.
If you support creating an effective network manager that learns from the best practices of other regions, we recommend sending an email to info@bayareametro.gov by 5pm on Sunday, May 23, for item 7/7B (Public Comment/Other business), or making a public comment live during the meeting. Here is the meeting agenda, Zoom link for joining, and some talking points you can adapt:
Say who you are, where you’re from, what transit agencies you use, and how fragmented transit impacts your life.
Express support for creating a network manager for the Bay Area that can oversee integrated fares, branding, service, and customer experience to make transit easier for riders, more accessible, and more competitive with driving.
Express support for studying network management alternatives that learn from the best practices of other regions and which may involve significant changes to Bay Area transit governance, including those submitted by Seamless Bay Area. The task force and business case should be guided by the governance structures that can provide the best outcomes for riders. Urge the completion of a network manager business case as soon as possible so we can advance state legislation to create a network manager in 2022.
In addition, on Wednesday, May 26 at 3:30 pm PT, there will be a public policymaker webinar for the regional Fare Coordination and Integration Study, which is exploring how a a more seamless, integrated fare system could improve customer experience, affordability, and ridership. This webinar is an important opportunity for the public to give comment in support of integrated fares, and send a clear message to local and regional leaders that Bay Area residents support reforms that will lead to more seamless fares and service.
Sign up to give public comment at the May 26 policymaker webinar, and we will reach out with talking points and other information to use. We also encourage supporters to send comments to MTC in advance of the meeting by emailing info@bayareametro.gov by 5:00 p.m. PT on Tuesday, May 25.