Volunteer Opportunities
We have a number of volunteer needs and would greatly appreciate your help. We are currently looking for webpage builders and a campaign leader for our Land Use Initiative. We also have an ongoing need for office assistance, including updating our library catalog, help with our contacts database, and assistance with filing. Please contact Halima O'Neil at halima@transcoalition.org or 510-740-3103 if you are interested -- or pass this on to a friend. For more information on these opportunities visit: www.transcoalition.org/about/about_intern_vol.html

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Last Chance to Influence Contra Costa's Measure C: Wed, May 19, 6pm
At the last meeting of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), the room was packed with community representatives from throughout the county. Numerous speakers criticized the draft Measure C -- a 25-year $2 billion transportation sales tax proposal -- and threatened to oppose it at the ballot box unless it is changed significantly. A flurry of informal meetings has yet to yield any dramatic changes on either the spending plan or linkages between transportation and land use planning, although there may be some last-minute changes recommended at the May 19th meeting.

CCTA plans to adopt a final Measure C package on May 19th, and the agency says it is the last chance for changes before they approve a final plan to pass around to cities and the county for approval. TALC members and allies ask you to show up May 19th! Show CCTA that they must listen to the voices of the public if they want a plan that voters will support in November.
Wed, May 19, 6pm: Embassy Suites Hotel, Walnut Creek (next to Pleasant Hill BART station)

For more details, see www.transcoalition.org/c/sus_msrc/msrc.html

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South Bay -- Save Our Transit Campaign
TALC has been leading a grassroots effort in Santa Clara County to stop VTA's proposed fare hikes and bus service cuts. South Bay Organizer Chris Lepe has spread the word, presenting information to community groups and bus riders. Interested individuals and organizations have in turn helped TALC with flyering and petitioning on buses, and at bus stops, colleges, high schools, churches, and other locations. These allies came together at the May 6th rally against VTA's unjust fare hikes. Nearly 50 people, mostly youth, showed up to the rally and VTA Board Meeting. Californians For Justice, Escuela Popular, Comite Cesar Chavez, the Sierra Club, ACORN, and other groups voiced their opposition to these unjust fare hikes. We need your help to double the number of people for the next rally, at the June 3rd VTA Board meeting, where VTA will vote on whether to raise fares.

The other pressing issue in the South Bay is the Valley Transportation Plan 2030. Currently, BART to San Jose, one of the two least cost-effective public transit projects in the nation, is at the top of VTA's priorities. This project threatens to destroy bus service in the South Bay -- because VTA does not have enough money to build and operate the extension, and the project has first lien on ADA funds (bus operating funds). In addition, there are many other projects that were included in the Measure A sales tax, such as Caltrain electrification and East Valley-Downtown Light Rail, that will not receive any funding, because the BART extension will soak up all of the funds in Measure A. BART to San Jose is strongly supported by powerful, special interest groups and the Mayor of San Jose, who appoints four of the twelve members of the VTA Board. (He also has a seat on the board.)

We need your help. See our website for ways that you can take action:
www.transcoalition.org/c/sus_vta/vta.html

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Land Use Campaign
Recent studies have shown that residents in transit-oriented developments are five times more likely to use transit than other people in their communities. Yet so many of the region's major transit investments are now surrounded by big box retail, drive-through fast food, and other such uses, which don't support the transit investment or provide housing. In response, TALC's primary land use campaign in 2004 is to ensure that MTC condition funds for major transit expansion projects on supportive land uses. Greenbelt Alliance, Nonprofit Housing Association and TALC staff have been facilitating a process which has resulted in a land use policy with specific criteria, which cities would have to meet before regional funding for their transit expansion programs would be allocated.

This spring we will gather endorsements for the platform and hold a launching event. Over the summer we will need help with a letter-writing campaign and with meeting with, and promoting the platform to, local elected officials. Stay tuned!

Read the policy at: www.transcoalition.org/c/sus_rtp/rtp_landuse_policy.html

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Stop the Transit Cuts in the Governor's Budget

Governor Schwarzenegger's proposed 2004-2005 budget would cut funding for AC Transit and BART by $20 million and $9 million, respectively. It would force AC Transit to cut the equivalent of its entire weekend or school service, and BART would have to cut all of its Sunday service. Read TALC's letter to the Governor and get your organization to send a similar letter -- or send one yourself.

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Proposed Hybrid Vehicle Legislation (AB 2628) Has Serious Flaws
TALC is recommending an "oppose unless amended" position for AB 2628. The bill would grant hybrid vehicles access to high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, regardless of the number of occupants, and free passage on toll bridges under the jurisdiction of the Bay Area Toll Authority. The legislation has the potential to hurt carpooling, reduce funding for transit, and increase driving.

Read the complete analysis at: www.transcoalition.org/c/leg/AB_2628.html

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We Did It -- Regional Measure 2 Approved!

The Regional Traffic Relief Plan was approved by the voters and will generate an estimated $125 million per year, via a $1 bridge toll increase beginning July 1, for transportation improvements designed to get commuters onto transit, which will decrease bridge traffic.
 

For more information: www.transcoalition.org/c/sus_brtoll/btoll_home.html

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Can You Donate a Computer to TALC?
TALC needs two computers and will happily accept your donated machine(s), giving you the benefits of a tax deduction. We are looking for PCs with processors that are at least 500 MHz in speed. If you are considering a donation, please contact Seth Schneider <seth@transcoalition.org>, or at 510-740-3109. Thank you!

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Staff Changes at TALC
Robert Ping recently moved to Oregon to take the Safe Routes to School Program Director position at the Portland-based Bicycle Transportation Alliance. We will miss him but wish him well in his new adventures.

Halima O'Neil has joined TALC as our new Director of Administration. A native of Berkeley, Halima holds a degree in Environmental Science from California State University, Hayward, and most recently worked with the community-based organizations Friends of the Estuary and Friends of Sausal Creek as an environmental educator and outreach coordinator.

Chris Lepe, TALC's South Bay Organizer, hit the ground running -- working to stop VTA's proposed fare hikes and service cuts -- so quickly, in fact, that we haven't had a chance to welcome him aboard. Chris holds a degree in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz, is fluent in Spanish and lives in San Jose.

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Members In Action - Marin County Bicycle Coalition
The Marin County Bicycle Coalition <www.marinbike.org> reports that the Transportation Authority of Marin is now circulating a half cent Transportation Sales Tax expenditure plan for approval by the County, cities and towns in Marin. The Transportation Sales Tax expenditure plan spells out how $331 million would be spent over the next 20 years. There are four strategies to meet the goal of "improving transportation for all Marin County residents and workers by providing a variety of high quality transportation options designed to meet local needs." To reach that goal, there are four strategies, including:

1. Local Transit (55%): Develop a local bus system that serves community needs and includes special transit for seniors.

2. Highway 101 Carpool (7.5%): Ensure timely completion of the Highway 101 Carpool Lane Gap Closure Project through San Rafael, despite the loss of State funding. The North-South Greenway along the railroad right-of-way through San Rafael is also part of this project.

3. Local Infrastructure (26.5%): Maintain and improve Marin's local transportation infrastructure, including roads, bikeways, and sidewalks.

4. School Access (11.5%): Improve safe school access and reduce school related traffic congestion through a Safe Routes to Schools program, crossing guards, and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

The Marin County Bicycle Coalition has been working with the County and related agencies on this proposed expenditure plan for the past four years. Deb Hubsmith, MCBC's executive directors says, "We're pleased with the expenditure plan, and look forward to working on passing the tax this fall."
 

* All TALC Member and Affiliate groups are eligible for inclusion in the 'Members in Action' section - simply email your article subject to Seth Schneider <seth@transcoalition.org> by the last week of each month. If yours is selected, you will be asked to send a one-paragraph summary - and web page link, if available.