8/4/23: Join August events with transit experts like Christof Spieler - and more

While we get ready for Transit Month in September – which will feature more events than ever to help you celebrate and ride transit – there's plenty going on in August to pay attention to that's relevant to our mission of creating a more seamless transit system in the Bay Area.

Join us for our panel of Bay Area transit leaders who traveled to Switzerland taking part in a study tour. We will learn key insights about Switzerland’s internationally-renowned transit system – with one of the highest ridership rates in the world – and how they operate such an effective and integrated transit network in a complex environment with many transit agencies at multiple levels of government involvement at the federal, state, and local levels. 

The webinar is from 1-2 PM (PDT) on August 10th with panelists from BART, WETA, MTC, SPUR, and Seamless Bay Area. 

August 23, 1pm - Beyond Commuter Rail: Transforming Caltrain and Bay Area rail after the pandemic (Zoom Webinar)

Key decisions about Bay Area rail service will be made in the coming months –  electrified Caltrain service is expected to come online in 2024 and plans to connect the Bay Area’s transit network are afoot.  The pandemic triggered lasting change in commuting patterns, and a steep decline in ridership for services that previously depended heavily on white collar commuters.

Learn from experts about ideas to regrow ridership, transform and modernize Bay Area rail to achieve a world-class transit system. 

The webinar is from 1-2PM (PDT) on August 23th and will discuss the past, present, and future of rail service in the Bay Area, in the context of history, and trends around the country and the world. Panelists include: 

  • Christof Spieler, former board member at Houston Metro, author of Trans, Buses, People, an Opinionated Atlas of US Transit, and Director of Planning at Huitt Zollars

  • Sandy Johnston, deputy director of regional transportation planning at MBTA in Boston and expert on the history of US commuter rail

  • Giselle Hale, former Mayor of Redwood City, organizing its future around the rail and transit system 

August 14th, 2pm - Last Transit Month planning meeting (via Zoom)

Transit Month is less than a month away and we could not be more excited for the festivities, transit ride-alongs, and socials taking place throughout September. Our last prep meeting will be August 14th from 2-3pm and we’ll be hammering out final event ideas. If you haven’t been able to make it to a call yet, this will be a great chance to get plugged in. Below is the meeting link and call in number:

MTC Pop-up events: Help Plan the Bay Area’s future with a frequent, connected transit network

How can transit service in your area be improved? Share your thoughts and lived experience at one of the 14 remaining pop-up events taking place across the region through September 6th. These pop-up events are happening at farmers markets, county fairs, street parties, etc – so bring your family and friends, support transit, and have a good time! Comments will also be accepted via this online survey or can be provided by email, phone, or mail. 

This is an official public input opportunity so your comments in support of a seamless, well-connected transit network, with fast, frequent service, and integrated, affordable fares are especially important. 

Urge your legislator to support SB532

The state budget provided welcome funding to keep public transportation running, but not enough to prevent cuts to major Bay Area transit services, including SFMTA, BART, AC Transit and Caltrain providing millions of trips, keeping cars and pollution off the roads, and providing essential mobility for people dependent on public transit.

A new bill, SB532, would add a temporary bridge toll increase providing funding to prevent transit cuts and help regrow ridership. The Bay Area is preparing for a regional transportation funding measure in 2026, and this bill would keep transit moving and improving before regional funding starts flowing in 2027.

SB532 passed the Assembly Transportation Committee before the legislature’s summer recess. The next critical legislative milestone will be on September 1, after the legislature’s summer break. Legislators need to hear from you - can you give them a call and send them a letter.

Kaleo Mark