TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: Seamless Transit Principles Resolution
ACTION ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ☒
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider adoption of revised Resolution No. 24-003 supporting the Seamless Transit Principles. [Previously considered by the Board of Directors on June 26, 2024. Requested by Director Beckles - 9/13/23]
Staff Contact:
Claudia Burgos, Director of Legislative Affairs and Community Relations
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Convenient and Reliable Service
The Seamless Transit Principles align with the District’s mission of delivering safe, reliable, sustainable transit service that responds to the needs of our customers and communities.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no budgetary impact associated with the adoption of this resolution. However, the costs and potential ridership increases associated with implementation of the Seamless Transit Principles are unknown at this time.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
On January 10, 2024, staff presented the Board with a resolution in support of the Seamless Transit Principles at the request of Director Beckles.
As described by Seamless Bay Area, “[t]he Seamless Transit Principles are a set of seven guiding principles developed to guide local, regional, and state decision-makers to pursue a seamlessly integrated, world-class transit system that works for people. They are:
1. Run all Bay Area transit as one easy-to-use system
2. Put riders first
3. Make public transit equitable and accessible to all
4. Align transit prices to be simple, fair, and affordable
5. Connect effortlessly with other sustainable transportation
6. Plan communities and transportation together
7. Prioritize reforms to create a seamless network”
During the January Board meeting discussion, two Board members expressed support for the resolution as presented, one Board member expressed opposition, and three Board members expressed both support and a need to make the principles AC Transit’s own with additional language. While the Board did not vote on the resolution, staff was directed to return to the Board with an amended resolution.
Staff returned to the Board on June 26, 2024, with an amended resolution as well as proposed “means and objectives for transit service integration in the nine county San Francisco Bay Area.” The means and objectives had been submitted to President Young by a member of the public and subsequently submitted to staff by President Young. Included in the report materials was a red folder item, a revised resolution proposed by Director Syed. Director Syed’s resolution was also discussed during the June Board meeting.
During the meeting, the general consensus of the Board was to remove the means and objectives exhibit from consideration and several members of the Board expressed support for the Seamless Transit Principles in their original form. The Board also expressed support for the resolution introduced by Director Syed with a number of amendments. The discussion regarding amendments to the Syed resolution centered around ways to incorporate language regarding the following: transportation funding, equity, acknowledging historical segregation caused by transportation projects, expanding equity discussion beyond race, transportation and planning decisions.
The item was continued to allow for additional time to craft an amended resolution. Staff developed an amended resolution in support of the Seamless Transit Principles based on the various materials submitted by Board members in conjunction with the direction provided during the Board meeting on June 26, 2024. The underlined additions to the resolution reflect the AC Transit specific additions to the template resolution prepared by Seamless Bay Area.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
An AC Transit policy statement related to the Seamless Principles will serve as a guide for consideration of future state legislation or regional policy actions that may be developed in support of these or other seamless transit principles. It would not, however, replace to the need for further consideration and action by the Board of Directors, as appropriate.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
There were no alternatives considered as this report and resolution are presented for Board consideration at the request of Director Beckles.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
Staff Reports 24-060 and 24-060a
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 24-003 and Related Exhibit
2. Seamless Transit Principles (Exhibit A)
Prepared by:
Ryan Lau, External Affairs Representative
Approved/Reviewed by:
Claudia Burgos, Director of Legislative Affairs & Community Relations
Aimee Steele, General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer