4/1/24: Exciting teleportation news - and our support for SB1031, the Connect Bay Area Act!
❗Late and breaking news❗Given the recent emergence of teleportation technology, multiple agencies and cities are working on teleportation projects to move people with no need roadway space or tracks. Seamless Bay Area has developed a “Teleportation Coordination” strategy. We are working diligently with our partners at transit agencies and Montgomery “Scotty” of Starfleet Headquarters in San Francisco to seamlessly integrate this new mobility option into the global transportation network.
Thank you for indulging us in our April Fools joke for the year. And back to the real news
Learn about the Connect Bay Area Act and what you can do to help pass this transformative piece of legislation. We’re also pleased to announce new Seamless volunteer opportunities! Read on to learn more.
Seamless Bay Area strongly supports the Connect Bay Area Act, SB1031, revolutionizing how we fund transit and more
On March 18th, Senators Scott Wiener and Aisha Wahab introduced the long awaited SB1031, authorizing a Bay Area transportation funding measure with reforms to deepen transit integration, study the consolidation of public transit agencies, and more.
As we discuss in our latest blog, Seamless Bay Area strongly supports this bill as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Bay Area transit with funding for more robust service. Policy reforms in the bill will help guarantee that new and existing funding go further, delivering convenient, well-coordinated service and making sure our buses and trains are faster, safer, and more reliable.
Addressing the converging affordability, climate, and housing crises will require revolutionizing our public transit system and the Connect Bay Area Act rises to meet these current and future needs.
So what can you do to support SB 1031? Here are three actions you can take:
Call or write your state legislators, urging them to support SB 1031.
Submit a letter or speak up at your local transit agency board meetings when SB 1031 is being discussed, and express your support for the bill. Local elected officials and transit agency staff need to hear from riders.
Get organizations you are part of to submit support letters to the legislative portal, and to transit agencies in your area.
Read more about the bill in our detailed blog post, including what’s in it and what’s still in progress.
April 16th, 5:30-6:30pm – Seamless 101: Who we are and getting involved in transit advocacy
Looking to get involved in transportation advocacy? New to Seamless Bay Area and not sure exactly what we do? This webinar is perfect for you! Join us for this meeting to get a quick overview of who we are. We’ll key you into some exciting volunteer opportunities to help spread awareness about the importance of public transportation and upcoming actions people can take to build a world-class system right here in the Bay Area.
Re-introducing Seamless volunteer opportunities!
We are excited to share that we are ramping up our volunteer program. If you want to get more involved in the regional campaign for better public transit this is a perfect opportunity for you!
Opportunities will include in-person public outreach events, advocacy in support of the 2026 regional transit funding measure, and much more. Interested in guest writing a blog post on a transit-related subject you're particularly passionate about? You can do that too! Fill out this 1-minute form and we will link you up with opportunities that best suit your interests.
⬇️⬇️⬇️ Sign up today for two upcoming volunteer opportunities
Saturday, April 13th – Love Our Earth Festival
Location: Bloomhouse - 2555 Pulgas Avenue, East Palo Alto
Description: Join us at the Love Our Earth Festival for our first tabling event of 2024! The 3rd annual Love Our Earth Festival brings together exhibits and experts from all different areas including building and vehicle electrification, ecosystem restoration to support biodiversity, resilient community groups, a plant-based food market, a live reptile exhibit, storytimes for kids, craft tables, and more. The 2024 Festival is hosted by the Cities of East Palo Alto and Menlo Park, Peninsula Clean Energy, 350 Silicon Valley, Acterra, and Menlo Spark.
Sunday, April 21st – Viva CalleSJ
Location: SoFA District, San Jose (exact location TBD)
Description: Viva CalleSJ is a free recreation program that temporarily closes miles of San Jose streets to bring communities together to walk, bike, skate, play, and explore the city.
Want $1.28 annually for Bay Area transit? Tell your Congressmember to support this bill!
Tired of unreliable buses, infrequent train service, transit not being able to take you where you need to go? There’s a bill in Congress right now – the Stronger Communities Through Better Transit Act – that would unlock over $1 billion in ANNUAL transit operations funding for the Bay Area and we need our Congressmembers to become co-sponsors of the bill.
This bill represents a major turning point as the federal government has historically targeted its investments in infrastructure projects, leaving states and local governments to fund their own transit service.
Transit agencies in California (and across the country) are looking at major budget shortfalls between now and 2028 unless they get more local, state, or federal support. If that support does not come through, transit service will be slashed – reduced hours, closed stations, fewer routes, and laying off essential staff – leading to clogged roads, dirty air, a shriveling economy, and growing poverty.
Click here to tell your Congressmember we need federal funding for transit operations!