Daily Journal
By Curtis Driscoll
Legislation that would require greater regional transportation cooperation between Bay Area transit agencies passed the state Senate last week and is on its way to the Assembly for consideration.
Senate Bill 917, the Seamless Transit Transformation Act, calls for Bay Area transportation agency Metropolitan Transportation Commission and regional transit agencies to collaborate toward greater regional integration. The bill calls for transit agencies to work with the MTC to adopt a shared transit fare structure, develop a standardized regional transit mapping and wayfinding system, more integrated maintenance and funding planning, and open data standards.
Introduced by state Sen. Josh Becker, D-San Mateo, it also gives MTC the responsibility of ensuring transit agencies comply with regional efforts. Under the proposed law, if transit agencies do not comply, they can have state funding withheld until they comply.
“We know we have 27 overlapping transit agencies,” Becker said. “We want them to work better together, and we know it will be better for ridership overall and better for riders.”
Becker said his bill helps improve disjointed services, fare integration, data sharing and work toward schedule integration. While work remains to ensure passage, Becker was optimistic about its chances.
“We’re building on a lot of good work here, and this is the next step,” Becker said.