#transit-funding

#transit-funding

Five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father Adrian Conejo Arias have been released from ICE custody due to a court order from a federal judge in Texas. The photo of Liam wearing his school backpack and a blue bunny hat as he was being detained gained national attention, and he fell ill while in custody. [ABC News] Heavy fog in California's Central Valley led to a 59-vehicle pile-up on Highway 99 Saturday morning, resulting in the closure of the road in both directions.

We should reflect on what is working, where we've fallen short, and what's next,

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Land Use and Transportation Committee held a hearing Monday to discuss the possibility of extending the Central Subway from its current Chinatown terminus to North Beach and Fisherman's Wharf. "The primary focus" should remain on pushing through two upcoming operations-funding measures for transit, explained District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter, who sits on the committee. "But we also need to give people something bigger and better to keep our city excited about what's next."

In a special Ask-Me-Anything episode of the StreetSmart podcast, Streetsblog California editor Damien Newton reflects on his first year leading the site while answering reader-submitted questions on politics, transportation policy, and advocacy. Newton opens by thanking listeners for helping the nonprofit newsroom reach its annual fundraising goal, then explains why, as head of a 501(c)(3), he cannot endorse candidates or say who he is voting for in upcoming elections.

"This is an exciting and important day for our agency and our region," James Noble, Chair of the VVTA Board of Directors, said. "What we are celebrating represents years of collaboration, planning, and partnership. It reflects VVTA's commitment to innovation and our role as a regional leader in moving the High Desert toward a cleaner, more connected future that benefits our riders and our communities."

That's the initial eligibility for these funds. RTD is a transit operator that is not at risk of cutting back below its 2022 service levels.

"This measure would hinder the city's comeback by making rides more expensive and hurting drivers," said CJ Macklin, director of communications at Lyft. "This would be particularly devastating for low-income communities who struggle to even access the Muni system and depend on ride-share to get around. It's the wrong move for San Francisco."

The state's Transit Transformation Task Force recently met for the final time. The two-year TTTF process was charged with producing recommendations - for the legislature and governor - on developing policy reforms aimed at growing transit ridership, improving the rider experience, and addressing long-term operational and funding challenges. The Task Force was mandated by legislation passed by the Legislature and signed into law in 2023.

It should have been a slam dunk for the governor to sign Senate Bill 720, Automated traffic enforcement system programs, but supporters were worried that the perceived unpopularity of red light cameras would sink the legislation. Once word trickled out that it was signed, the celebration began. "What started as an idea three years ago - why don't we reform CA's failed red light camera law so it can be used only for safety - is now official!"

Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jefferies' shutdown

Toll and fare evasion cost the MTA an estimated $1 billion in 2024, though the agency and partners are now reversing the upward trend, according to a report published Thursday by a financial civic group in NYC. Despite the astounding financial loss, the Citizens Budget Committee's (CBC) report, No Fare: The Costs of MTA Fare and Toll Evasion, found that the MTA is starting to stem evasion with the help of the NYPD and state officials.

Zarutska was fatally stabbed by a fellow passenger who sat behind her in what appeared to be an unprovoked attack. Police have since arrested DeCarlos Brown Jr., who reportedly had a history of violent crime and whose mother said he had began acting "aggressive at home" following a recent schizophrenia diagnosis. (Experts emphasize that the vast majority of people with schizophrenia never commit violence, and are in fact 14 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than its perpetrators.)

The loan included in a budget deal between Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature earlier this summer was designed as a bridge to keep BART, San Francisco's Muni, AC Transit in the East Bay and Caltrain on the Peninsula afloat through 2026. The hope was that by then, lawmakers could persuade voters to back a long-term funding source, likely through a regional sales tax measure.

"The additional half-cent mass transit bailout would raise the rate to 10.25% if approved in 2026, affecting sales tax rates in Santa Clara County."

The initial figure didn't factor in those additional costs. We have to build. Everyone talked about a Scarborough subway. No one would do anything.