For 2012, the mechanism that appears to hold the greatest potential for bringing significant new dollars to transit is the nascent Cap and Trade program developed by the Air Resources Board under AB 32 to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  Initial estimates are that the program could bring in up to $1 billion the first year and then ultimately many billions of dollars each year over time as the program expands.

Governor Brown’s 2012/13 budget proposes allocating cap-and-trade revenues to: clean and efficient energy; natural resource protection; low-carbon transportation, including transit; and sustainable infrastructure, including transportation and housing.  TransForm applauds the governor’s proposal.  We are working with stakeholders and key legislators to advance a specific policy framework that will prioritize transit, housing, and other key infrastructure investments.

Governor Brown’s budget proposal also shows State Transit Assistance (STA) funding for local transit agencies, derived from the sales tax levied on diesel fuel, as being projected to increase from about $400 million for fiscal year 2011/12 to a little more than $420 million for 2012/13.  This should provide a small amount of additional operations and maintenance support for agencies that are cash-starved after years of cutbacks.  This small uptick won’t make a dent in restoring the billions in transit cuts over the last decade and will not help transit agencies meet increased demand.

Governor proposes increases in bond funding for transit

With regard to Prop 1A and 1B bond funds approved by the voters and available for transit, the governor is proposing increased allocations for the 2012/13 cycle.  While these monies may be used to enhance local transit connectivity as well as for certain safety improvements, new capital service extensions, and new rolling stock, they are not available for most operations and maintenance expenses.

Further complicating matters, the actual release of the funds depends on a series of additional actions by the administration.  For example, last year the governor frustrated transit agencies across the state by not allocating available bond funding for a range of projects eligible under Prop 1A.  Many of these projects were put on hold or abandoned, as transit agencies were dependent on the bond funds to cover the full costs.  It remains to be seen whether additional bond funds will actually be allocated this year.

Biking and pedestrian funds fall short

The governor proposes a significant increase in funding for bicycle and pedestrian facilities, from approximately $7.2 million dollars in 2011/12 to almost $12 million in 2012/13.  While we appreciate that the percentage increase is significant, the actual dollar amounts being proposed are still woefully inadequate to the need.  And the governor has not justified why his budget proposal leaves unspent an additional $5 million in reserves that is currently sitting in the Bicycle Transportation Account.

As more Californians are walking and biking, there is a huge demand across the state for improved sidewalks and bike lanes.  There is also a huge safety need for these improvements: pedestrians and bicyclists are injured and killed at higher rates per accident than automobile drivers.  Investments in bike lanes and sidewalks are relatively inexpensive (compared to other types of transportation investments) and deliver an impressive array of positive returns: improved safety, better public health, and higher property values.

TransForm will be working this year to get all available funds allocated to bicycle and pedestrian investments in this budget cycle and also to set up predictable year-over-year increases in allocations, perhaps derived from Cap and Trade revenues, to speed up the transformation of local streets and roads across California to accommodate all users.

High speed rail: train to nowhere or getting back on track?

Governor Brown has strongly affirmed his commitment to high speed rail, via his proposed budget and a series of strongly positive statements.  The Governor is assuming increased control of the High Speed Rail Authority and he appears willing to make modifications to the project and business plan in order to restore public confidence and build back political support.  However, funding for the project remains unclear and in his budget the governor does not propose a specific dollar amount to be allocated to begin construction.

TransForm has long supported high speed rail in California.  However, we have concerns that the current iteration of the plan will not deliver promised benefits — for communities, travelers or the environment — and that it may not be financially viable.  TransForm is engaged in discussions with key stakeholders, the Authority and the governor’s office regarding how to ensure that the project is designed and built in a way that will actually bring the environmental, economic and social benefits that voters were promised.

Santa Cruz METRO faced a potential 30% service cut in 2011 and an increase in fares and layoffs, all following a 10% service cut the previous year.  This bleak scenario was unacceptable to General Manager Les White or to the Board of Directors, all of whom took the role of METRO as the dedicated provider of transit service in this unique area seriously enough to consider all alternatives.  The final outcome was a combination of an 8% service cut, service reconfiguration, and a 50-cent fare increase which made the system’s fares on par with surrounding systems’ fares.

This year, an increase in transit-dedicated sales tax revenues and a one-time bump in State Transit Assistance funding may allow Santa Cruz METRO to restore the 8% service cut.  Working with social service agencies, members of the disabled community, various advisory councils, the regional transportation commission, and the regional planning agency, Santa Cruz METRO is hopeful that over the next few years, as the economy improves, we will be able to improve and expand service.

Santa Cruz METRO is excited to be working with TransForm and other transit advocates in Sacramento to identify and secure new sources of dedicated funding that will allow all transit providers in California to provide quality, affordable, accessible service.

Frighteningly, there’s nowhere near enough projected revenue to cover these basic system preservation costs, let alone what it will cost to expand and improve the system to meet Californians real needs.

And this funding crisis has been exacerbated in recent years as billions of dollars intended for public transportation have been redirected to help balance the state budget.

Here’s one of the key strategies we’ll focus on over the next year to increase state funding for public transportation: reforming state fuel taxes.

Indexing the gas excise tax to inflation is the first step. The state gas excise tax is a major source of funding for transportation but it has never been indexed to inflation so every year it loses value. Nobody today would expect to buy a cup of coffee for a quarter like you could years ago – it would taste awful for sure – but that is what is happening with the excise tax which we’ve relied on to generate a sizable portion of state transportation funding even as we’ve failed to index it to inflation to maintain the value of the revenues. If we fail to index the excise tax, the deterioration of the purchasing power of this critical mechanism will only get worse as vehicles become more efficient and overall gas purchases drop.

It is important to emphasize that indexing the excise tax would have an almost unnoticeable impact on prices at the pump -- between 1 and 2 cents per gallon the first year -- but this change would at least “stop the bleeding” in terms of the deterioration of value and allow us to prioritize the most important investments.

We ultimately need to adopt a package of reforms.  Indexing the gas excise tax has a serious limitation because Article XIX of the California Constitution prohibits the use of the revenues for most transit operations and maintenance costs -- and these are the most pressing and critical unmet costs. In order to adequately fund transit operations and maintenance, we need a package of reforms that includes mechanisms such as an increased fuels sales tax and a modified vehicle license fee because revenues from these mechanisms are not restricted by Article XIX and can be used for transit operations and maintenance.

None of these reforms will be easy. The political gridlock and ongoing economic malaise mean that every significant policy reform effort is a major uphill battle in Sacramento. But given the incredible state of disrepair of our transportation system -- and the fact that  the price tag will only continue to increase exponentially if we don’t secure new revenues -- we simply must push for major funding reforms this next year.

The only way to secure the ultimate package of necessary reforms will be to work over a sustained period -- almost certainly two years or more -- with a large and diverse coalition delivering a consistent and forceful message to state leaders. Combining excise tax and sales tax reforms gives every key stakeholder a solid motivation to stay at the table and work in partnership.
 
TransForm is excited to work with our partners in the Invest in Transit campaign and other stakeholders to advance this challenging but critically important policy agenda in 2012 and beyond.  For more information, please contact our State Transportation Organizer, Ahmad Chapman, in our Sacramento office at 916-441-0204, ext. 301 or achapman@transformca.org.

• We have Transit Coalition Dinner Meetings every month with key transit officials as participants and as guest speakers.
• The Transit Coalition is currently pursuing increased Metrolink service through its Metrolink MAX campaign.
• We are also working to curb uncontrolled growth in the Inland Empire.

In the short term, we work with representatives from local and regional transportation agencies, elected officials and community members to improve the quality of the existing rail and bus systems such as hours and frequencies of service, working facilities and improved signage. We mobilize interested groups and individuals to ask agencies and officials for added transit service and increased operating and capital funding.

In the longer term, we work with political officials and staffers to support major transit improvements and identify possible sources of funds. We examine myths, misinformation and misperceptions and rebut them using facts and evidence.

We meet with elected officials and their staffs in Washington, DC; Sacramento, CA; and Southern California on critical transit issues. We also participate in various community outreach meetings to garner public support for the betterment of transit. We will either speak or submit written comments at public meetings and hearings regarding transportation, instilling a culture of action among our members.

Four years ago, our organization was instrumental in stopping a housing development within the Newhall Pass. Known as Stop Las Lomas, our campaign educated officials on the impact this development would have on existing freeways and the dangers of bringing transit facilities as token mitigation to offset much greater damage to the area.

The Transit Coalition's vision for a Metrolink corridor system with trains running every 30 minutes.Specifically, we aim to increase Metrolink train frequencies in the Southland to 30 minutes between trains, including late at night and weekends, with through service at L.A. Union Station. Metrolink can also increase revenue by changing from a "segment" system to a "corridor" system. Instead of having all routes begin and end in Union Station the segments are combined to create larger corridors.

The Transit Coalition's A Better Inland Empire project is dedicated to advocate for the development of safe, fast, cost effective and environmentally sound public transportation system all around the Inland Empire and connecting regions.

Several members currently serve on advisory boards such as the Los Angeles City Bicycle Advisory Committee and the LA Council District 11 Neighborhood Empowerment Congress Transportation Committee, where transportation policy is crafted and placed into effect.

On occasion, we also work directly with transit service providers to find ways to provide better bus service, even as many of these agencies have reduced funds. Our aim is to find efficiencies in a bus system, where routes can be modified according to demand and destinations, without adding to costs.

Much of our work consists of preparing print materials, which include maps, descriptions, and plans of action, for people to visualize what can be achieved. We maintain a website that houses this material so that the transit advocate has the tools needed to inform others, readily available.

Finally, we work with other transit-minded organizations to exchange ideas and provide a united front when it comes to certain projects and proposals.

According to a new study by Transportation for America ("Aging in Place, Stuck Without Options"), most baby boomers have no intention of moving as they age.  More than 70% over the age of 45 plan to stay in their current homes as long as possible.  Only 9% want to ultimately move to a care facility.  It is likely that nearly 80% of seniors in coming years will live in suburban or rural areas.

There are approximately 40 million seniors in the United States today.  One in five does not drive.  And half of these non-driving seniors basically don't leave the house because they have no transportation options other than driving.

That means 4 million seniors in the United States right now are essentially prisoners in their own homes because they are "aging in place" and happen to live somewhere that offers them no real, viable option for getting around without driving.  With the first of the nearly 80 million baby boomers turning 65 this year, the number of seniors facing this predicament will skyrocket.

What does the lack of options really mean for seniors stuck at home?  It means 15% fewer trips to the doctor.  59% fewer shopping and restaurant trips.  65% fewer trips to see family, friends, and do other social activities.

America's senior population will balloon to 72 million by 2030 so if we don't rapidly expand and improve transit across the nation, 7.5 million of them will have extremely limited access to transportation options.  If nothing is done, smaller metro and suburban areas (places with less than 250,000 people) will find that 62% of their seniors will have little or no access to transit.

The human and public health and economic toll presented by seniors aging in place is unacceptable – and avoidable.  We must increase investments in transit at the local, state and federal levels.

TransForm has launched "Invest in Transit" – a campaign to increase California's state-level transit funding and expand opportunities for cities, counties and regions to establish additional funding for local needs.  Please sign our petition and consider becoming a campaign partner.  Let's make sure that our parents and grandparents and all of us will be able to remain active and engaged in life's activities as we age.

Read the new report HERE. 

Join Invest in Transit HERE.

As of mid-March, 2011 the price of crude oil was over $100 per barrel.  This translates to an average price of nearly $4 per gallon for regular unleaded gas in California.  That means it costs nearly $50 to fill a Mitsubishi Lancer and more than $110 to fill a Ford Expedition.   Most of that money is leaving our communities to pump up profits at multi-national oil corporations and in some cases dictators.  Wouldn’t it be better to invest that money here in our own transportation infrastructure?

For decades our state and nation have engaged in almost completely car-oriented transportation planning.  As a result, it’s incredibly difficult to get around without a car, but going anywhere in a car has become frustratingly slow due to traffic congestion.  And it’s not just a matter of convenience: for some Americans the rising price of gas means being forced to choose between housing, transportation, and food.

What Americans need are more efficient, viable transportation choices: more trains, buses, trolleys, neighborhood shuttles, van pools, ferries, bike lanes, and sidewalks. Shifting transportation dollars to better road and highway maintenance and expanded, improved transit is one of the best investments we can make for the future.

The American Public Transportation Association recently released a report noting that many individuals can save about $10,000 each year riding transit instead of driving.  Businesses and governments can also save money by shifting investments to transit and not providing an endless sea of subsidized parking for commuters.  TransForm’s “Windfall for All” report found the same thing: a significant increase in transit investments leads to across the board savings.

These savings will occur when transit is near your home, takes you close to your destination, is fast, frequent, affordable and safe.  That’s why TransForm has launched Invest in Transit.  We are building a powerful statewide campaign to secure new state-level investments in transit and a package of policies that will make it easier for all Californians to get where we need to go every day, every week, every year.  Sign our petition today.  Our future rides on it.



Next to housing, transportation is the second greatest expense for the average family.  We simply can't afford the status quo when it comes to transportation.  Overbuilding new roads and shortchanging transit has led to more driving and many billions of dollars in higher transportation costs.  Expanded and improved transit can save each household thousands of dollars per year, improve property values, and reduce long-term government infrastructure costs by tens of billions of dollars.  [Read TransForm's report "Windfall for All" with more information on how smart transit investments can save us loads of money.]

2. Our seniors and students won't be stuck at home.

All of us need options other than the single passenger vehicle to get around every day — to the store, the doctor, school or work.  Seniors and students are particularly disadvantaged if they can’t drive.  As the number and concentration of seniors continues to rise in many California communities, demand for expanded and improved transit services will grow.  This trend will likely be compounded by increasing rates of young people relying on transit to travel between school, work and home.  Yet the transit systems we have are woefully inadequate to meet even present-day demand.  We've got to find a way to increase investments in transit starting now.  [Click here for "Stuck at Home - When Driving Isn't a Choice," an article by Annie Decker in the Fall 2006 issue of Access magazine.]  [Click here for "Aging Americans - Stranded Without Options," an article by Linda Bailey with the Surface Transportation Policy Project from 2004.]

3. Our drivers won't be stuck in traffic.

For many Californians, expanded and improved transit combined with more walking and biking options will determine whether they are endlessly stuck in traffic are able to get around efficiently.  Good access to transit improves and stabilizes transit ridership, making it easier for transit agencies to plan and serve their customers and also maximizing transit ridership.  This minimizes congestion on the roads and facilitates the efficient movement of people and goods.  [Click here to link to more information from the Federal Transit Administration on the public benefits of transit.]

4. Our communities will have more good jobs.

Expanded and improved transit will directly bring and indirectly support many thousands of good-paying, stable new jobs.  Studies have shown that investing in transit is one of the best ways to create and support good jobs.  [Click here to link to information from the American Public Transportation Association on how transit investments create and support jobs and healthy economies.]

5. Our air will be cleaner.

Cars are the number one cause of air pollution in California.  Though we've made great progress over the last few decades clearing the air, several metro areas in California still consistently rank as having some of the worst air in the country.  Cleaner fuels and more efficient vehicles won't be sufficient in coming years to make additional progress clearing our air as in the increasing number of cars on the road will overwhelm any pollution reductions achieved with cleaner fuels and improved efficiency.  The only way to reduce air pollution from passenger vehicles is to reduce the amount of driving we all do.  And that means increased transit along with improved walking and biking options.  [Click here to access the Union of Concerned Scientists website with information on the link between vehicles and air pollution.] 

6. We will be healthier.

Tens of thousands of Californians suffer and many hundreds die each year from respiratory problems caused and exacerbated by poor air quality in many of our state's metropolitan regions.  Millions of Californians are also struggling to get more physically active, lose weight, and live a healthier lifestyle.  Giving people transportation options means less driving and that means less pollution and more walking and biking — all of which means healthier and happier people.  [Click here to access information from the Great Communities Collaborative regarding the health impacts of transportation.]  [Click here to access information from the American Lung Association in California about how transit and transit-oriented development lead to cleaner air and healthier people.]

7. Our communities will be more pleasant and attractive.

Communities dominated by cars, roads and parking lots are not attractive places to live, work or play.  And using valuable urban land to park cars is just about the worst way to utilize urban acreage in terms of environmental, economic and social impacts.  Expanded and improved transit combined with more walking and biking options will facilitate less driving and thus allow for the reuse of what are now vast fields of asphalt used to store cars.  We'll also be able to put many of our four and six lane urban roads on "diets" to make them safer and more user-friendly, with amenities for all users (drivers but also walkers and bicyclists and transit-riders).  Such roads will actually facilitate moving more cars more smoothly at all hours with less pollution and less disruption of other aspects of community life.  [Click here to access the Urban Advantage website, with information and images showing how to reuse parking lots and roads to improve community quality of life.]

8. Our streets will be safer.

Expanded and improved transit combined with good walking and biking options requires making our streets "complete."  "Complete" streets are designed to be used by everybody and all types of vehicles -- drivers and bicyclists, pedestrians and wheelchair users, buses and transit-riders.  Complete streets are safer than streets designed solely for cars and drivers because they are expressly designed to be safe for all users.  [Click here to access the National Complete Streets Coalition website with answers to frequently asked questions about complete streets.]  [Click here to access the Safe Routes to School National Partnership website with information on how complete streets are safer for all users.]

9. Our contribution to global warming will be reduced.

Vehicle exhaust accounts for nearly 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions in California.  There is simply no way to tackle climate change without giving people more ways to get around without driving.  Expanded and improved transit leads to less driving and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.  [Click here to access the TravelMatters website and information on how transit can help stop global warming.  TravelMatters is a project of the Center for Neighborhood Technology, which works to promote community sustainability.]  [Click here to access an article from 2008 by Casey Mills, an environmental and land use consultant, published in the CA Progress Report.]

10. Our future rides on it.