News | 511 CCTA - Part 8

Category: News

Car-Sharing Continues to Grow (2013)

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a surplus of cars-haring services
Peer-to-peer car-sharing services continue to grow, and this poster seems to captures why: it’s cheap and easy, lettings folks “rent cars by the hour” from people in their neighborhood. Photo credit: Guerrilla Futures | Jason Tester
In the Bay Area we are fortunate to have a variety of ways of getting around for work, shop, and play. Recently, BART and bicycling (including bike-sharing) have received a lot of attention but there’s a glorious buffet of transportation options out there. One of the fastest growing options is car-sharing. Car-sharing is a convenient and easy way to save (or make) some money while reducing your carbon footprint. Here’s a sampling of the car-sharing section of the transportation buffet in the Bay Area.
While there are formal car-sharing companies such as Zipcar and City CarShare, peer-to-peer car-sharing availability has grown considerably in Contra Costa County– just take a look at this map from RelayRides showing available cars in the East Bay:

contra costa ride relay

RelayRide cars are all over the East Bay. Image via: RelayRides

Check out the RelayRides video. It cleverly demonstrates the concept in just two and a half minutes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuW1CicTqeg
For a full list of car-sharing options, check out our car-sharing page. Video credit: RelayRides
Then there are peer-to-peer ride-share and carpooling services, such as Lyft and Sidecar, in which you pull out your phone and within minutes someone comes picks you up in their car. This service is better suited for short and perhaps spontaneous trips across town. This type of service is currently focused in San Francisco, which can still be convenient if you commute into the city and need a ride to the other side of town.  The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is currently partnering with Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) and Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) to pilot a similar app called “Real-Time Ridesharing” or RTR.
One of the latest car-sharing services to hit the streets of the Bay Area is Flightcar, and it is specifically tailored to airport travel. If you have a car and are driving to SFO, you can leave it with a Flightcar attendant and they will allow other people to use your car while you are gone. Alternatively, if you are coming into SFO (or have guests flying in) – they can rent someone else’s car seamlessly, and safely, via Flightcar.  Head over to Flightcar and get the details.
Similar services such as Airbnb, which allow you to rent a room in someone’s house or list a room in your home for short-term rental, peer-to-peer car-sharing is just one more way we can all share our existing resources and make getting around easier.  It may seem like there is an air of mystery with these kinds of shared services but once you try them you quickly find out they are quite reliable, and predictable.  Many peer-to-peer car-sharing services even prescreen users, link to their facebook profiles, and allow users to rate each other so you can rest easily knowing a bit about the person you rent your car to or from. So sit back, relax, and check out some of the peer-to-peer car-sharing services we’ve highlighted or head over to our car-sharing page for more similar services in the Bay Area.

Transit and Vanpool Commuter Benefits to be Reduced in 2014

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Fireworks in Pinole, CA in Contra Costa CountyTransit riders and vanpoolers who take advantage of pre-tax commuter benefits with their employer will find that their maximum monthly limit decrease to $130 starting January 1, 2014 from $245 in 2013.
The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (HR 8) restored the pre-tax transit and vanpool commuter benefits to be on par with the qualified parking benefit temporarily for the 2013 calendar year. That parity ends December 31, 2013.
At this time, the 2014 monthly limits for qualified monthly transportation benefits are:

  • up to $130 per employee per month for public transportation and vanpool
  • up to $250 per employee per month for qualified parking, or
  • up to $380 per employee per month for both public transportation and qualified parking

Qualified bicycle commuting reimbursements will remain unchanged at $20 per month in the new year.
Congress will have to pass legislation to make any changes to the 2014 transit and vanpool limits.
See the IRS Bulletin regarding the new monthly limits.
For more information about Transportation Fringe Benefits, visit the Internal Revenue Code Section 132 (F), as amended by TEA-21, Title IX, Section 910.

County Connection Bus Free Ride Program for Seniors and Disabled (2013)

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Good news if you are a senior or disabled County Connection rider: beginning on Sunday, December 22, 2013, rides will be free seven days a week from 10 AM to 2 PM on any regular or express fixed-route service for the next six months.

County Connection is responding to a need in our community for reliable transportation options for the elderly and persons with disabilities,

said Bob Simmons, County Connection Board Chair and City of Walnut Creek Council Member.

Because this group is often living on a fixed income, we are pleased to offer this Free Ride Program during the mid-day, in addition to our already reduced rates to ride at other times of the day.

To take advantage of the Free Ride Program, senior and disabled riders need to show bus operators proof of eligibility.
Seniors need to show ONE of the following:

  • A photo ID showing a birth date of 65 years of age or older
  • A senior Clipper card

The disabled need to show ONE of the following:

  • An RTC Discount Card
  • A DMV placard registration receipt
  • A Medicare Card
  • A Veteran Disability card

The Free Ride Program will be offered by County Connection for a promotional period of six months, after which the feasibility of extending the program will be studied. As a general reminder, the first few seats of the bus are designated to allow easy access for elderly and disabled riders.
County Connection provides fixed route and paratransit service throughout central Contra Costa County.  For information on all transit services, visit countyconnection.com or call County Connection Customer Service at 676-7500.

Well That Was Fast: AC Transit's 72 Rapid Turned 10! (2013)

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72R at San Pablo Ave & 40th St
“The 72R made us look at our service in a whole new way and played an important part in the modernization of bus travel.”
– AC Transit Board Director Chris Peeples. Photo credit: AC Transit

Can you believe it? Back in June, AC Transit’s San Pablo Rapid Line – the 72R – turned 10 years old! Naturally, the milestone was celebrated (see photos here) and the line has many more years ahead of it.
So while we missed the 72R’s birthday it’s not too late to honor this work-horse of a bus line, it has been invaluable to many East Bay commuters. Just what makes the 72R so great, you ask? AC Transit the answer of course, with our emphasis added:

Line 72R made its debut on June 30, 2003, the result of an ambitious partnership among the seven cities through which it runs, Caltrans, and what was then the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency. The line is recognized not only by its bold red striping and logo, but also for its distinction as the first “enhanced bus” line in the Bay Area.
[…]
The 72R replaced what was then called the 72 Limited, or 72L, and cut travel time along its 14-mile San Pablo Avenue route by 17% compared to the 72Land 30% compared to the underlying local service. This was achieved by placing stops farther apart; eliminating set time points at individual stops and running buses every 12 minutes; and using state-of-the-art technology to coordinate traffic signals and hold green lights longer for buses. The line also featured, for the first time, 40-foot buses with three doors to facilitate exiting and bus shelters with electronic, real-time arrival displays.
Today, the San Pablo Rapid carries about 7,000 passengers each weekday to destinations between Jack London Square in Oakland and Contra Costa College in San Pablo. The service also complements the many residential developments and commercial enterprises that have sprung up along the corridor.

And as if that weren’t enough reason to love the 72R, there’s more!

In the San Pablo Rapid’s lifespan, the line has covered some serious ground, making 134 trips every weekday for a total of 4,735,556 miles. Taking this cumulative distance into consideration, the 72R could have travelled to the moon and back 10 times!
The line has worked a total of 2,530 weekdays, with only 80 holidays “off.” In that time, it has provided nearly 18 million individual passenger trips and has saved those riders a total of 57,718,099 minutes over its predecessor. Now that’s a timesaver!

Other fun facts?

  • A year after its introduction,  AC Transit ridership increased along the San Pablo corridor by 15% and 19% of new 72R passengers indicating that they previously drove.
  • Many regular BART riders also switched to the bus or used the Rapid as a way to get to BART instead of taking their car.
  • Ridership on the line has been steady.

It was because of the 72R’s success that AC Transit introduced the 1R and that an enhanced Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line is scheduled to be available in 2017, connecting San Leandro and downtown Oakland with light rail quality but at a much cheaper price– a real win-win for the agency and riders.
Read more about the future of East Bay BRT over at AC Transit.

Small Animal Vet Visit By Bicycle

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Going to the vet on the Lafayette Moraga Trail
Going to the vet on the Lafayette Moraga Trail

On a recent afternoon you might have caught a glimpse of Corona, an adorable australian shepherd, zipping along the Lafayette/Moraga Regional Trail riding in style and enjoying the fresh air on the way to her appointment at the Four Seasons Animal Hospital. Corona’s owner is a Lafayette resident who customized a bike trailer that he uses to run all sorts of local errands. Whether hauling groceries and garden supplies, transporting his children’s bikes home from school, or chauffeuring his dog, this local resident has found a great way to beat the traffic, save gas, and enjoy his community up close and in person.
Corona
Like my ride?

“Frankly, when I bought [the trailer] I feared I wasn’t going to use it that much and I would have an expensive toy/white elephant sitting in my garage.  As it ends up we use it ALL the time; some weekends I don’t drive my car at all.”
His bike trailer cost around $1,100 from Big Dave’s Bikes In Pleasant Hill. Other like-minded bike enthusiasts have found less expensive options. A Pleasant Hill mother of two converted the roomy bike trailer she originally used for towing her toddlers into a multi-purpose utility trailer simply by removing the backrest.
These genuine sport-utility-vehicles generate a lot of interest, curiosity, and a whole lot of smiles from onlookers. “I have seen a lot of light bulbs going on when people see my trailer loaded with library books and groceries and realize that running their Saturday morning errands could be a lot more fun too.”
Whether pulling a sleek custom utility trailer or towing a cast-off garage sale baby buggy, fun and practical options exist for getting around town without a car.

New Commuting Trend: Bike Trains

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Bike commuting– much safer and pleasant when there’s company. Photo credit: Walk Eagle Rock

Los Angeles has been making headlines in recent years because of the region’s willingness to invest in alternatives to the automobile, particularly in bringing back an efficient and convenient train system. However, it now appears that another form of commuter train has been built… bike trains!

What are bike trains? The founders of LA Bike Trains, the organization spearheading the concept, put together this concise explanation:

We provide a rolling party along select routes run by Conductors – experienced urban cyclists – to harness the safety of riding in a group while kicking it up a notch by making the ride a fun social experience.  And it’s totally free!
All you need to do is submit your email, cell phone number and the route that you’re interested in. If you don’t see a route that works for you – suggest one and if you’re interested in leading a Bike Train as a Conductor – let us know.

In essence, the bike train concept brings you together with those people you see bicycling during your bike commute, the ones you see and think to yourself , “Wouldn’t it be cool if we ride together as a group? It would be safer and more fun to ride with other people!”
At the moment, Los Angeles has ten different bike train routes scattered across the region, all of which have their own “conductor” leading particular routes with specific departure times. LA Bike Trains even offers commuter surveys to gather input to figure out what routes throughout the county are in high demand.
The hopes of the LA Bike Trains founders are that by offering a more comfortable experience, bicycling can be made more accessible by those intimidated by the thought of cycling to work, and so far, the concept has received positive feedback.
For more information on LA Bike Trains, visit their website, check them out on twitter (and the hashtag #LABikeTrain) or see their facebook page.

Downtown Walnut Creek Parking Explained

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If you must drive to Downtown Walnut Creek, it pays to know what parking options you have when looking for a place to park.

peets-coffee-and-tea-cake

Going to Peet’s Coffee & Tea for a brief time?

Use the short-term parking meters.

walnut-creek-farmers-market

Dinner and a movie, or going shopping?

Park in a City-owned garage (South Locust, North Locust, Broadway); inexpensive and no time limits.

downtown-walnut-creek

Working in Downtown Walnut Creek?

Park in a City garage which is cheaper than meter parking and has no time limits. The City of Walnut Creek is considering changes to the City-owned garages and meters to incentivize motorists to park with purpose (pricing and duration based on the specific purpose of  parking).

Did you know?

In downtown Walnut Creek, there are:

  • 1,524 street parking spaces
  • 1,443 city-owned garage spaces
  • 5,616 other spaces available to the public

The City of Walnut Creek provides a parking guide showing free parking garages, metered parking lots, city parking lots/garages, and free trolley stops.

For more tips and a list of proposed parking changes, check out the image below.

Downtown WC Parking Map
Image provided by In a Nutshell Winter 2013-14

Download a PDF of the image above.

Image credits top to bottom: drauh, aidanmorgan, greenbeltalliance.

Have You Tried the Bay Bridge's Bike/Pedestrian Path?

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(Two people enjoying the toll-free, bicycle-pedestrian path along the new Bay Bridge span.  Photo credit: Sharon Hahn Darlin)
The bicycle and pedestrian path along the new East Bay span of the Bay Bridge has proved incredibly popular, even though one still can’t completely reach San Francisco by bicycle or foot. People just really like recreating outdoors, enjoying breath-taking views in one of the most beautiful parts of California– who knew?
Have yet to go for a walk or ride? Enjoy a virtual tour of ascending and descending the bicycle-pedestrian path by bike, courtesy of KQED SCIENCE:

(Ascending. Video credit: KQED SCIENCE)

(Descending. Video credit: KQED SCIENCE)
Once completed all the way to San Francisco, popularity of the bicycle-pedestrian path will surely soar, for both commuting and recreational purposes. However, until then, the completed East Bay span still provides some unique and fantastic views worth seeing. If you’d like to check out the new path, be sure to get details about how to access the path (helpful map included) and its winter hours from the bridge’s website.

Olympic Corridor Trail Connector Study (2013)

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Contra Costa County, together with the cities of Lafayette and Walnut Creek are conducting a planning study to examine a preferred alignment for a feasible alignment and a preferred alternative for a pedestrian/bicycle facility from the Lafayette-Moraga Trail to the Iron Horse Trail in downtown Walnut Creek.  Review the study area map.
The first Community Workshop will be held  Thursday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m. in Walnut Creek.
6:30-8:30 pm
Multi-Purpose Room
Parkmead Elementary
1920 Magnolia Way
Walnut Creek, CA 94595
[google map]

The specific purpose of the Community Workshop is to capture community ideas about the preferred alternative and the criteria that will be used to select the recommended alignment.
After the Community Workshop a preferred alternative will be selected, designed and studied for feasibility and cost.  A second Community Workshop will be held to present the conceptual drawings and design elements for Preferred Trail Alternative and to receive comments.  Public comments will be incorporated into the Final Study Report.

BAAQMD Advisory Council To Fill 2 Vacancies (2013)

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The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) is currently seeking to appoint an Advisory Council Member in the Conservation Organization category.  There are two (2) vacancies.
ABOUT THE AIR DISTRICT
The Air District is a regional government agency, committed to achieving clean air to protect the public’s health and the environment. The Air District accomplishes this goal through regulation of industrial facilities and various outreach and incentive programs designed to encourage clean air choices.  The Air District’s jurisdiction encompasses all of seven counties – Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Napa, and portions of two others – southwestern Solano and southern Sonoma.
ABOUT THE ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Air District’s Advisory Council consists of 20 members who live in the Bay Area and bring a variety of backgrounds and areas of expertise to discussions and recommendations for addressing air quality issues.

The purpose of the Advisory Council is to advise and consult with the Board of Directors and the Air Pollution Control Officer on issues related to air pollution emissions control, health and the environment.  This includes studying and making recommendations on specific matters referred to the Advisory Council from the Board of Directors or the Air Pollution Control Officer, including the technical, social, economic, environmental and fiscal aspects of matters being addressed by the Air District.  The Council also may identify areas of interest for exploration and study.

To apply online or for more information, please visit our website at http://www.baaqmd.gov/jobs.  The application deadline is Thursday, December 12, 2013

BitLock: World's Coolest Bike Lock?

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What if someone told you there were a way to safely lock your bike with a not a key, but a smartphone app? And that this same app enables you to seamlessly borrow a friend’s bike, effectively allowing users to create their own bike-share network? And that the app alerts you if your bike has been stolen?
That’s the amazing and genius concept behind BitLock, a kickstarter idea that has just reached its crowd-sourced funding goal. The below one and a half minute video manages to easily explain how it works while capturing the incredible uses and benefits the device has the potential to offer the world.

(The world’s coolest bike lock? Could very well be! Video credit: Terry Knight)
For additional details about BitLock, visit its Kickstarter page.

Have You Been Enjoying A Better Ride? (2013)

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Gillig Suburban Inaugural 11.7.13
New AC Transit bus, the “Gillig Suburban,” offers riders free wifi. Photo credit: AC Transit

In March AC Transit began phasing in a new line of buses built by Bay Area based company Gillig to replace some of the fleet’s older models. In August, AC Transit introduced the New Flyer 60’ articulated buses, which feature 52 seats (and additional room for standing) to handle demand along its most heavily traveled routes (click here to check out the specs of the bus).
Now, as of November 8th, AC Transit has unveiled yet another type of bus to improve service quality for riders, one geared to to accommodate long distance commuters, called the “Gillig Suburban.” These buses have the following features:

Gillig Suburban Inaugural 11.7.13
With seats like that, riding the Gillig Suburban bus could make for a very relaxing commute. Photo credit: AC Transit

  • Passenger-controlled overhead reading lamps
  • High-backed cushioned seats
  • Overhead luggage racks
  • Free wifi

All three new models of buses are part of AC Transit’s “A Better Ride” effort to make bus travel more pleasant and efficient. If you have ridden any of the new types of buses, AC Transit encourages you to provide feedback by sending an email to abetterride@actransit.org.
To keep up with the latest news from AC Transit, check out the agency on facebook, twitter, youtube, or sign up to receive their e-newsletters 

Get the Transit App to Catch the County Connection

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transit app, I appreciate you
A mobile app with a sense of humor, Transit App claims to support Hyperloop service, in addition to a number of local transit agencies. Photo credit: sbma44

Smartphones have quickly become a best friend for those who ride public transportation, often keeping commuters busy while riding or waiting for the bus. Of course, one of the best things about having a smartphone when taking transit is that it can let riders know when the next bus will arrive in real-time. A popular mobile application for getting real-time transit information is Transit App and it now supports County Connection fixed-route services, in addition to other Bay Area transit agencies BART, MUNI, Caltrain, AC Transit, VTA, samTrans, and Golden Gate Transit.

Give Transit App a try!
 
 

Buskirk Ave/Elmira Lane Entrance to Crossroads Shopping Center To Close (2013)

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Starting on November 9th 2013, the southern driveway entrance to the Crossroads Shopping center in Pleasant Hill, CA at Buskirk Avenue/Elmira Lane will be permanently closed.  A new temporary driveway located on the south end of the shopping center at Buskirk and Hookston Rd will be open to the public.

The City’s project contractor, Ghilotti Brothers, will perform trench excavations and install underground storm drain improvements along the west side of Buskirk Avenue between Kohl’s and the old Bally’s Gym.
For more project information,  visit the Buskirk Avenue Improvements website. Or contact Jeff Ocampo at 925.671.5208 or jeff@ghirardelliassoc.com.

BART Offers 12% Raise, No Strike on Monday (2013)

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Shortly before midnight on Sunday, BART released the following statement:

The unions have informed the District there will not be a strike Monday morning.

BART is offering a 12% raise in their last best and final offer. General Manager Grace Crunican stated:

I appreciate the riders and the Bay Area’s support in standing by us while we negotiate and I hope we will get to a deal here.

Read more on BART.gov or watch the press conference for the offer details.

Pending BART Strike: Have a Plan (2013)

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Photo credit: Cathy Huang
Photo credit: Cathy Huang

BART workers may strike as early as Sunday, October 13th. Here is a comprehensive guide from multiple transit agencies and general information for getting around if there is another BART strike.

  • Up to date information about the pending BART strike can be found at KQED
  • Up to date traffic and transit info at 511 Alert
BART has put together a contingency plan for their limited shuttle buses departing from the following nine stations:

  • El Cerrito del Norte
  • West Oakland
  • Concord
  • Walnut Creek
  • Lafayette
  • Dublin/Pleasanton
  • San Leandro
  • Hayward
  • Fremont

The buses will go directly into San Francisco from 5 am to 8 am and back from a stop near the San Francisco Transbay Terminal (loading zone located at Howard Street between Fremont Street and Beale Street) from 3 PM to 7 PM. Weekend shuttle service will also be available in the event of a strike at the same nine stations listed above. Shuttles will run on Saturday from 6am-9am and 3pm-6pm, and on Sunday from 8am-11am and 3pm-6pm. For more detailed information please visit BART’s webpage.

The County Connection will operate in conjunction with the BART shuttle service.
AM Shuttle

  • Departures from Concord BART to Downtown Oakland – 5:15, 6:15, and 7:15.

PM shuttle

  • Departures from Walnut Creek BART to Downtown Oakland – 4:15 and 6:15 PM
  • Downtown Oakland to Concord BART – 5:15, 6:15, and 7:15 PM
  • Downtown Oakland to Walnut Creek BART – 6:15, and 7:15

Riders are  urged to confirm the number of buses, and departure times each evening after 6:30pm here.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
WESTCAT– WestCAT will set up temporary bus stops on Kearny Street outside of the El Cerrito del Norte BART station.

  • WestCAT will make no changes to the JL and JR routes. Subject to traffic delays we will operate this service unaffected.
  • WestCAT will not operate any JX service during the strike. All riders wishing to travel to El Cerrito del Norte BART should use the JPX or J (JL/JR) services.
  • WestCAT local routes will operate without change. WestCAT will operate additional trips on the Martinez link 30Z. These trips will extend service to 8 p.m.
  • BART issued bus tickets will also be honored. Parking at HTC will be free. HTC parking permit holders will be reimbursed for their parking during the strike.

Transbay Service – During the stoppage Lynx routes will operate per the regular service schedule throughout the day. In addition, WestCAT will operate all JPX routes to and from San Francisco.  The last vehicle leaving San Francisco in the evening will depart the Transbay Terminal at approximately 8 p.m.
Find out where to catch your bus on Kearny Street here

AC Transit will run regular service to San Francisco in the event of a strike, supplementing transbay lines to San Francisco with extra service when possible.
Note: AC Transit bus stops located inside BART stations will be moved outside BART property if BART strikes. BART station information sheets contain maps of the alternative locations, as well as information on transit alternatives to BART from each station.
Read more about AC Transit options for commuting to San Francisco.

Buskirk Ave To Be Partially Closed Monday Sep 23-Friday Sep 27, 2013

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Buskirk Avenue will be partially closed and flagged to one-way traffic typically from 7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. from Monday, September 23 to Friday, September 27, 2013. Some work may occur outside these listed times depending on weather, field conditions and work conflicts. Motorists should expect delays during these construction periods. Please use alternate routes or allow for extra travel time.
The City’s contractors, Ghilotti Brothers and Saint Francis Electric, will be installing underground joint trenching across Buskirk Avenue near the Marshalls store from Monday, September 23 to September 27, 2013. This is the final joint trench conduit work required by AT&T and Comcast to complete their installation of underground wiring as part of the conversion of overhead wiring to underground (cutover) through this project area. After all the cutovers are performed, joint utility poles (poles shared by PG&E, AT&T and Comcast) will be removed along Buskirk Avenue and Hookston Road.

Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program Public Workshop (2013)

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The staff of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) will conduct public workshops to present, discuss, and receive comments on draft Regulation 14, Rule 1: The Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program.
What is the Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program?
California Senate Bill 1339, signed into law in fall 2012 created the Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program (Program).  Employers with 50 or more full-time employees in the Bay Area are required to provide commuter benefit options to their employees.

  1. Employers can select one of the following four commuter benefit options to offer to their employees:
  2. The option for employees to pay for their transit or vanpool expenses with pre-tax dollars, as allowed by current federal law;
  3. A transit or vanpool subsidy to reduce, or cover, employees’ monthly transit or vanpool costs;
  4. A low-cost or free shuttle, vanpool, or bus service operated by or for the employer; or
  5. An alternative method that would be equally as effective as the other options in reducing single-occupant vehicle trips (and/or vehicle emissions).

Building on the success of similar programs adopted in the cities of San Francisco, Berkeley and Richmond, as well as the San Francisco International Airport, the Program facilitates a regional approach to encourage the use of sustainable commute modes, such as public transit, ridesharing, bicycling and walking, in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality.
In the Bay Area, where these programs are already in place, most employers have chosen the pre-tax option (option 1 above), which can provide economic benefits to both employers and employees through tax savings.  Employers can reduce payroll taxes (approximately 9 percent of subject wages), and employees can lower their commute costs by up to 40 percent.
Plan Implementation
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission are currently developing plans for adopting and implementing the Program, and will conduct public workshops to present, discuss and receive comments on the Program.  View dates and locations of upcoming workshops.
See also New Bay Area Commuter Benefit Policy

60-Day Cooling off Period Granted as Negotiations Continue (BART Strike 2013)

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Last Wednesday, BART presented facts of the labor contract negotiations to Governor Brown’s inquiry panel.
After reviewing the report, Governor Brown agreed to move forward with filing for a 60-day cooling off period, which was granted yesterday morning by San Francisco Superior Court Judge Curtis Karnow.
The cooling off period allows for negotiations to continue while trains keep running.
Yesterday, BART increased its wages and benefits offer by more than 70% from what it had offered last Thursday. The response from unions was to walk out without responding.
Watch BART General Manager Grace Crunican discuss the latest stall:

More online:

  • No progress in BART talks; 60 day cooling off begins (ABC7)
  • BART outlines latest offer as negotiations stall (BART)
  • BART presents facts of labor contract negotiations to Governor’s inquiry panel (BART)

Image credit: Adam E.