2/9/24: One step closer to a regional transit funding measure + how advocates won $5 billion for transit
This week’s newsletter can be summarized in three words: public transportation funding. Learn how advocates won $5 billion for transit in the California state budget last year at SPUR’s upcoming webinar. We also have the latest news on the region’s 2026 regional funding measure - the biggest potential investment in Bay Area public transportation in recent history.
To win a regional funding measure, we need a regional network manager responsible for transit integration, coordination
At Thursday’s BART Board Workshop, Seamless Bay Area was featured on a panel of transit experts to discuss strategies for the upcoming 2026 regional funding measure. Our message was clear – a bold vision for transit transformation is needed to inspire voters. Creating a network manager responsible for coordinating transit agencies fares, schedules, and other customer-facing improvements will help build the trust of voters. Read this Streetsblog article to catch all the highlights from the BART Board Workshop
February 20th, 12:30-1:30pm – What It Took to Win: Keeping Transit Moving Webinar
Join SPUR’s webinar on the “Survive and Thrive Coalition” to learn how we successfully won $5 billion for temporary transit operations funding in last year’s California state budget. Facing a huge statewide deficit, this campaign was far from easy. Peek behind the scenes of this collective impact campaign to learn how local, regional, and state advocates worked together with public agencies to persuade elected officials to ensure the Bay Area keeps moving. Seamless Bay Area’s Advocacy Director Adina Levin will be a panelist.
The other event panelists are:
Laura Tolkoff / Interim Chief Policy Officer & Transportation Policy Director, SPUR
Rebecca Long / Director, Legislation & Public Affairs, Bay Area Metro
Cyrus Hall / Independent Sustainable Transportation Advocate
Zack Deutsch-Gross / Policy Director, Transform CA
Raayan Mohtashemi / Legislative Aide, Office of California State Senator Scott Wiener
Monique Webster / Regional Government Affairs Manager, SFMTA
Check our new blog posts!
MTC advances regional funding measure authorizing legislation
On January 24, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission voted to pursue authorizing legislation in 2024 for a regional transportation funding measure that could go on the ballot as soon as 2026, and could be used in future years. The proposal would authorize MTC to put a measure on the ballot with goals for transit transformation, safe streets, connectivity, and climate resilience.