A connected transit network is a foundation for building far more Bay Area housing
The Bay Area has the most expensive housing in the country. And, transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the region, state and country.
Unfortunately, the region’s plans to focus housing growth near high quality transit in order to reduce emissions and automobile use are limited in their potential impact by the lack of a connected, reliable transit network. Fortunately, the region’s upcoming planning for a connected transit network has the potential to turbocharge opportunities for housing.
Recently, the region (MTC / ABAG) has updated a Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) policy to encourage infill development in areas served by transit, while protecting current residents in these areas from displacement. The policy, which updates an earlier Transit Oriented Development policy from 2005, will strengthen financial incentives and policy requirements to support dense housing, improve walking and bicycling, manage car parking, and protect existing housing and renters.
Unfortunately, relatively little of the Bay Area’s built up area will benefit from these TOC policies and incentives. The policy currently applies narrowly to areas near BART, Caltrain, light rail, and fixed guideway bus rapid transit such as AC Transit Tempo, and the Van Ness, Geary, and San Pablo corridors.
By contrast, areas that have access to other major bus lines, such as El Camino in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, and the 51B in Alameda County would not be covered by these policies and incentives. The reason is that there is no assurance that these mainstay lines will continue to have a high level of service frequency, and there is no commitment to improving reliability on lines that do not have dedicated bus rapid transit capital infrastructure. This is despite the fact that many local bus lines have always maintained higher frequencies than some light rail lines.
A coalition of housing advocacy organizations has been encouraging MTC / ABAG to adopt strong policies as part of the Transit Oriented Communities Plan, but the outcome of this advocacy is limited because there isn’t enough transit covered by the plan.
If the rail and bus network were to work as one seamless system, with minimum levels of service along key local transit corridors - it would open up more of our region for housing growth, and significantly expand the applicability of Transit Oriented Communities policies.
The region’s Connected Network Plan, slated to kick off this fall, is intended to provide standards for frequency, reliability, and connections for the region. Just having a "connected network plan" isn't enough to make transit more frequent and reliable. Funding is needed to implement the service levels and capital improvements called for in the plan. However, providing a clear vision for a frequent, reliable, well-connected transit network will provide a strong foundation to seek funding from state sources focused on combating climate change and from voters in a future regional transportation ballot measure.
A Connected Network Plan with funding and commitments to deliver will be a much stronger base for the region’s plans to grow housing with less displacement, and to support greater mobility for people in equity priority communities along bus corridors.
The region’s housing advocacy coalition will have a major opportunity to strengthen the Transit Oriented Communities policy by supporting the development of the Connected Network Plan, and by making sure that the policies to encourage housing and prevent displacement are tuned for the much broader geographical areas covered by the Connected Network Plan.
We expect the first public meetings about the Connected Network Plan in November, and will keep you posted on opportunities to learn and support.
