TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: MTC’s Transit Priority Policy
BRIEFING ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ☐
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider receiving an introductory report on the status of Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Transit Priority Program efforts.
Staff Contact:
Ramakrishna Pochiraju, Executive Director of Planning & Engineering
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Convenient and Reliable Service
Initiative - Service Quality
The Transit Priority Program intends to address Transit Network speed and reliability.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
This is an informational item, and there is no budgetary impact.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
The Transit Transformation Action Plan (TTAP) was adopted in July 2021. This was developed to help transit survive pandemic-related disruptions and thrive in the recovery phase. Elements of the Transit Priority Program are included in TTAP Action Items 9 and 12.
The Transit Priority Program started in April 2023. This year’s work includes development of the Bus Accelerated Infrastructure Delivery (BusAID) program and a regional transit priority policy. The BusAID program serves to facilitate the implementation of bus (and on-street/at-grade streetcar and light rail) transit priority treatments throughout the Bay Area that increase transit vehicle speed and reliability. The intent of the program is to maximize transit travel time savings and service reliability improvements for the most people as quickly as possible, while centering populations that depend on transit the most. Development of a regional transit priority policy that supports transit priority projects and streamlines the approval process will begin in late 2023. The regional transit priority policy will be developed with input from transit agencies, Caltrans, County Transportation Agencies (e.g., Alameda County Transportation Commission and Contra Costa County Transportation Authority), local jurisdictions, and advocacy groups.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
Participating in the Transit Priority Program provides the District with the opportunity to influence the regional transit priority program. In addition, the District’s participation will provide opportunities to engage with cities, counties, and other agencies that affect roadway design and transit operations.
The disadvantage is that participation in the Transit Priority Program can be time-consuming with no guarantee of positive results for the District.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
Because this report does not recommend any action, there is no alternative analysis.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
SR 23-012 - The Metropolitan Transportation Commission Regional Network Management
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Advancing the Transit Transformation Action Plan’s Transit Priority Presentation
Prepared by:
Mika Miyasato, Principal Transportation Planner, Transit Priority
In Collaboration with:
Joel Shaffer, Transit Network Priority Program Manager (MTC)
Approved/Reviewed by:
Robert del Rosario, Director of Services Development and Planning
Ramakrishna Pochiraju, Executive Director of Planning & Engineering