TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: Funding Agreement with Caltrans - SB 434 Mandated Transit Rider Survey
ACTION ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ☐
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider adoption of Resolution 24-021 authorizing the General Manager or his designee to file and execute a funding agreement with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to receive $250,000 to collect and publish survey data for the purposes of informing efforts to improve safety of riders and reduce street harassment on public transit as mandated by Senate Bill (SB) 434.
Staff Contact:
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Safe and Secure Operations
Initiative - Internal and External Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Programs and Priorities
Rider safety is key to AC Transit being able to retain and attract riders. The funding that the state will provide will assist the District in understanding how it can best improve safety and satisfy the requirements of SB 434.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
The District will receive $250,000 from the state to fulfill the mandated study and reporting under SB 434, which will result in greater understanding of rider experiences. There is no matching fund requirement to accept these funds.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
Senate Bill (SB) 434 requires Caltrans to enter into a funding agreement with the 10 California transit operators with the highest ridership in 2019 according to the National Transit Database. With these funds, operators are required to collect and publish survey data, as defined, for the purposes of informing their efforts to improve safety of riders and reduce street harassment on public transit. The Public Utilities Code defines “street harassment” as “words, gestures, or actions directed at a specific person in a public place, without the consent of that person… that the person experiences as intimidating, alarming, terrorizing, or threatening to their safety.”
AC Transit staff is working with Caltrans staff to finalize a funding agreement. Through this agreement, AC Transit will receive $250,000 to collect and publish survey data for the purposes of identifying the type, degree, and frequency of street harassment experienced by the District’s riders. The District plans to hire a consultant to administer the survey and accompanying community outreach. With the passage SB 434 last year, AC Transit is mandated by state law to enter into this funding agreement by July 1, 2024.
AC Transit Staff is utilizing the opportunity presented by this funding agreement to engage with the community and its riders to collect information that could inform potential future actions to reduce street harassment, enhance rider safety, and attract new riders.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
Staff cannot identify any disadvantages to adopting this resolution.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
The District could choose not to comply with SB 434 and not to accept Caltrans funding to collect and publish survey data. The District would then have to accept the consequences of not complying with state law.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
None
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution 24-021
Prepared by:
Jesse Rosemoore, Senior Capital Planning Specialist
In Collaboration with:
Emily Heard, Capital Planning and Grants Manager
Michelle Schurig, Project Manager II
Steven Jones, External Affairs Representative
Approved/Reviewed by:
Shayna van Hoften, Interim General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Beverly Greene, Executive Director of External Affairs, Marketing & Communications
Richard Oslund, Director of Management & Budget
Emily Heard, Capital Planning and Grants Manager