Last chance to register for TALC’s Summit on April 9th
Over 200 concerned citizens, elected leaders, activists, and transit professionals have already registered for TALC’s Summit. We hope you will join us on Saturday, April 9th as we continue our work for a sustainable and socially just Bay Area. The last chance to pre-register and reserve your spot is this Wednesday, April 6th. TALC’s 8th Annual Summit is entitled Got Sustainability? Charting a New Course Towards Walkable Communities and World Class Transit. The Summit is a great place to learn about key issues, hone your advocacy skills, and take part in the movement for a sustainable region. The event costs only $10, which includes breakfast, lunch, materials, and free valet bike parking provided by the East Bay Bicycle Coalition.

For information and registration: www.transcoalition.org/cal/summit05/summit.html

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Mark your calendar for TALC’s next regional meeting – May 18th
Join us on Wednesday, May 18th from 5:30-7:30 pm for TALC’s next regional meeting. (Orientation for new attendees from 5:00-5:30.) Sierra Club, 85 2nd Street, San Francisco.

View our complete calendar of events at: www.transcoalition.org/calendar.html

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Program launched to help fund safe routes to transit
On February 25, TALC, the East Bay Bicycle Coalition and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission held the Safe Routes to Transit (SR2T) Program Kick-Off meeting. The event was a great success, bringing together nearly 100 agency representatives, activists, involved citizens, and city officials. A panel discussion made up of advocates and experts was instrumental in exploring the many innovative facilities and design strategies that could be brought forward with SR2T funds. The Call for Projects will be released by the end of April 2005.

For more information: www.transcoalition.org/c/bikeped/bikeped_saferoutes.html

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Support builds for Bay Bridge West Span Pathway
TALC and local bicycle coalitions recently led a delegation to Sacramento to urge the Legislature to include funding for the Bicycle-Pedestrian-Maintenance Pathway as part of any revenue plan that is adopted to pay for cost overruns on the East Span. In a hopeful sign of growing support, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution in mid-March supporting funding for the pathway.

For more information: www.transcoalition.org/c/bikeped/bikeped_westspan.html

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New report details how to create safe routes for San José’s Mayfair community
The Downtown/East Valley corridor, which runs along Alum Rock Avenue and Santa Clara Street between East and Downtown San Jose, has the highest transit ridership in Santa Clara County. The Valley Transportation Authority is now deciding whether to extend light rail or enhanced bus service through the corridor. Three of the future transit stations will be located in the Mayfair community, a primarily low income community that is 80% Latino. This new investment creates an incredible opportunity to address broader community concerns of unsafe streets, inadequate services, and the need for additional housing. The Safe Routes for the Mayfair Community report lays out in great detail the specific projects that will increase bicycle and pedestrian safety in the corridor, and the amenities and services that community members want at and near the stations. By working together we will be able to win funding for these improvements and improve the safety, quality-of-life, and access to economic opportunities for the Mayfair community.

To read the report: www.transcoalition.org/reports/mayfair/mayfair_home.html

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TALC’s endorsement process for state legislation updated
Each year TALC receives several requests to endorse or oppose state legislation. We typically endorse a handful of bills that are well aligned with our coalition’s mission and Platform. In order to expedite the process of considering bills for support and to ensure that we have the information needed to make a well-informed decision on each measure, TALC Member Groups are eligible to submit state legislation to be endorsed or opposed by TALC’s Board. The submission process has been updated and a response form is available online.

For more information: www.transcoalition.org/c/leg/leg_endorse.html

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Coalition for Transit Justice opposes Muni fare hikes and service cuts
by Sue Vaughan

Faced with a budget shortfall of $57.3 million in the 2006 fiscal year, San Francisco’s Municipal Transportation Agency is seeking to raise Muni fares and cut service. An amalgam of groups and individuals, under the umbrella of the Coalition for Transit Justice, has come together to oppose these fare hikes and service cuts. Members of the coalition believe that fare hikes and service cuts will place an undue hardship on low-income individuals and families, as well as provide a disincentive for higher-income people to take the bus when traveling by car might be more convenient. Coalition members are urging the mayor and the Board of Supervisors to take a second look at the February 28 vote by the MTA Board of Directors to permit the agency to raise one-time fares above the current $1.25, increase the Fast Pass price from $45 to $50 or more, and to cut service.

Given that San Francisco is officially a “transit-first city,” the coalition is urging the MTA, which is the parent agency of Muni and the Department of Parking and Traffic, to raise revenues by increasing parking fines and fees instead. The coalition is encouraging increases in residential parking permit fees from the current $27, as well as increases in the costs of street-cleaning violations, parking in front of fire hydrants, and parking in bicycle lanes. The Coalition includes Mission Agenda, Central City SRO, Mission SRO, Religious Witness with Homeless People, the San Francisco Green Party, the Sierra Club, and Transportation for a Livable City, among others.

Get involved: contact Sue Vaughan at susan_e_vaughan@juno.com

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Wanted! Bay Area residents for MTC advisory committees
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission is recruiting individuals to serve on its three advisory committees – the MTC Advisory Council, the Elderly and Disabled Advisory Committee, and the Minority Citizens Advisory Committee. The panels each make recommendations to MTC on a range of transportation issues and projects. Committee members are expected to attend monthly meetings during business hours, serve two-year terms, and are eligible for a stipend. Applications will be accepted through Friday, April 22, 2005. Fact sheets and applications are available on MTC’s website or by calling 510-464-7787.

For more information: www.mtc.ca.gov/get_involved/advisory/advisory.htm

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Presentation on the high cost of free parking – April 6th
Parking expert Doug Kolozsvari will be speaking at The Forum at Redwood City on Wednesday, April 6, from 6:00-7:45pm. Come hear the latest thinking and cutting-edge research in parking policy at a presentation that will examine how free parking almost always has an associated cost and can actually hurt businesses, the local transportation system and the environment. Mr. Kolozsvari, an Environmental Planner for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, will also discuss innovative parking policies that can leverage existing parking supplies. No RSVP is required for the talk, which costs $10 and will be held at the Little Fox Theatre, at 2209 Broadway in downtown Redwood City. (Attendance at the theatre is limited to persons over 21.)

For more information: www.redwoodcity.org/misc/morehottopics/forum.html

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Alameda Point tour: two-wheeling into past, present, and future – April 23rd
Join Urban Ecology to learn about the fascinating history – and future – of the former Alameda Naval Air Station on Saturday, April 23rd, 2005 from 10:15am – 1:30 pm. This easy-paced bicycle tour will explore the redevelopment process and examine what roles housing, transportation, environmental mitigation, and historic preservation will play in the transformation of this Bay Area landmark. Get first-hand knowledge from the city staff, developers, and project consultants that are leading this unique and complex redevelopment effort. Meet at the Alameda Ferry Terminal at 2990 Main Street and bring your helmet, sunscreen, a bag lunch, and plenty of water! The tour is free for Urban Ecology members, $5 for non-members. To register, contact Phil Olmstead at 510-251-6330 or events@urbanecology.org.

For more information: www.urbanecology.org/calendar/calendar.php?language=english

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Green City Conference: rebuilding the city to save the environment – May 31st
Ecocity Builders is hosting this day-long conference on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at the Scottish Rite Center in Oakland. Green City Visions will cover best ideas and proposed responses for all sizes of cities and towns based on ecological principles and scientific assessments of what needs to be done in the face of the peak oil / climate change / biodiversity collapse / health crisis in order to rebuild our human habitat in balance with living systems. The event, which is a United Nations World Environment Day Conference, will feature Carl Pope, Richard Heinberg, Marla Hollander, Gary Braasch, Michel Gelobter, Randy Hayes, Van Jones, Richard Register and Dave Biggs. Admission is $50 and $30 for students.

For more information: www.ecocitybuilders.org/greencity