5/16/24: Take two minutes to support transit + 3 upcoming transit educational events
TODAY Call to Action for SB 1031: Call your State Senator
Today, the Connect Bay Area Act (SB 1031) is being heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee. If passed, SB 1031 will authorize a 2026 regional ballot measure, pairing new funds to increase service with reforms to improve transit coordination and governance. This bill forges a new path for Bay Area transit - with a message of change that will be needed to win the support of voters at the ballot box.
Now more than ever, please use this call tool right now to let your senator know that you support this legislation which is essential for frequent and seamless Bay Area transit. The tool provides you with a phone number and call script to use. After this, the next critical milestone is the Senate Floor, where bills must pass by May 24 in order to move forward to the Assembly in June.
More opportunities for learning and action
There are three excellent upcoming educational events in the next three weeks focused on the future of transit funding beyond the fuel tax, mobility beyond car-dependency, and increasing mobility options for affordable housing residents.
May 17th, 10am (virtual event) – Beyond the Pump: Rethinking Transportation Funding without the Fuel Tax (Commonwealth Club of California)
With the boom in electric vehicle sales, less gasoline and diesel purchases means dwindling fuel tax revenue for operating, maintaining, and improving transportation systems. Policymakers must find a replacement as soon as possible. Join this free, virtual Commonwealth Club of California and SJSU Mineta Transportation Institute event to explore new funding options such as mileage fees, higher annual vehicle fees, or abandoning the user-pay principle and relying on general fund revenue.
May 28th, 12 - 1:30pm (virtual event) – Shared Parking & Mode Shifting (MidPen Housing & Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County)
May is Affordable Housing Month! This upcoming free, virtual event will highlight current efforts to ensure multiple mobility options for affordable housing residents through alternative approaches that do not require the construction of additional bundled parking spaces dedicated to specific units. Panelists include representatives from MTC, Transform, the City of San Mateo, and MidPen Housing. Importantly MidPen Housing residents have access to the wildly successful BayPass Program, providing unlimited transit throughout the Bay Area to all users.
June 3th, 5-7pm (in-person event) – Book Talk: When Driving is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency (SPUR)
One third of people in the US do not have a driver's license. The majority of involuntary nondrivers are people with disabilities, low-income individuals, formerly incarcerated people, undocumented immigrants, kids, young people, and older adults.
Join the author Anna Letitia Zivarts as she explains the reality for non-drivers and how improving our transportation system with non-drivers in mind will create a better quality of life for everyone. This event is hosted by our friends at SPUR with Jeff Wood, host of The Overhead Wire podcasts, joining as a panelist. This free, in-person event will be at 654 Mission Street, San Francisco. Registration is required and doors will open 30 minutes prior to the program.
May 18th, 10am-3pm – Transit Advocacy in Berkeley
Seamless Bay Area will be at the Downtown Berkeley Farmers Market on May 18th from 10am to 3pm to talk to voters about the importance of public transportation, mobilize people in preparation for a 2026 regional transportation funding measure, and also to get some food and fresh produce. Please fill out this form if you are interested in joining our volunteer crew!
Get Seamless Bay Area merch from throughout the years!
For a limited time only, we are re-ordering all our past T-shirts! Please consider donating to our 2024 Spring Campaign to support our work and get your hands on these t-shirts and a limited edition tote bag.