Sign up now for TALC’s 9th Annual Summit on Saturday, April 1
Next Stop: Great Communities
Whether you are new to the Coalition or a longtime supporter, TALC’s Annual Summit is a great place to learn about key issues, hone your advocacy skills, and take part in the movement for a sustainable, socially just region.

This year’s Summit will be at the First Unitarian Church in downtown Oakland. Pre-registration for the event guarantees you the low price of $10, which includes breakfast, lunch, materials, and valet bike parking. Registration for walk-ins is $20.

Volunteers get free admission. Email summit@transcoalition.org or call 510-740-3150 and ask for Hoang if you’re interested.

Learn more and register now: www.transcoalition.org/cal/summit06/summit.html

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TALC is hiring!
TALC is seeking an experienced, highly organized administrative assistant. We offer a friendly, fast-paced work environment in downtown Oakland. Applications are due by March 23 at 5 p.m.

Learn more: www.transcoalition.org/about/about_jobs.html#job

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Support AB 2444 – $10 vehicle registration fee for air and water quality, and transportation improvements
In addition to our work on the state infrastructure bonds and budget, TALC will be sponsoring AB 2444, authored by Assemblymember Johan Klehs (Hayward). This bill would enable a $10 vehicle registration surcharge to be placed on Bay Area vehicles, raising approximately $50 million per year. Half of this funding would go towards mitigating the air and water impacts of motor vehicles, while the other half would support a wide variety of projects to reduce congestion -- including public transit capital and operations as well as bicycle and pedestrian projects. The only project specifically excluded from eligibility is adding new road lanes. We are looking for groups to endorse this bill and volunteers to help on a campaign committee. Email marta@transcoalition.org to get involved.

Learn more: www.transcoalition.org/legislation.html#ab2444

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Launch of “All Nighter” service will connect BART stations after midnight
The much-anticipated All Nighter will begin full operation on March 19, 2006. The All Nighter uses regional buses to connect BART stations from 1 am – 5 am when BART is closed. The new service also coordinates late-night bus schedules to create convenient timed transfers between routes.

Conceived of by TALC in 2001 and originally called “Night BART”, the All Nighter is funded by Regional Measure 2, the one-dollar bridge toll increase for public transit TALC helped to pass in 2004.

TALC is coordinating a press conference for the launch, which will be held early on the week of March 20. Supporters are invited to attend. Contact Seth Schneider at seth@transcoalition.org or 510-740-3100 for press conference details.

Learn more: transit.511.org/providers/night.asp

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Join TALC in pushing for San Francisco BRT projects on April 11
Frustrated with slow, unreliable transit on Van Ness Avenue or Geary Boulevard? Ready for the transit revolution? Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) – dedicated bus lanes and the best available technology for speedy and convenient service – is on the horizon. TALC has invited the San Francisco Transportation Authority to present information on proposed BRT projects on Van Ness and Geary on Tuesday, April 11, at 5:30 pm at the Sierra Club office in San Francisco. Your attendance and participation is important, as the presentation will be followed by a discussion of what role TALC should play as the planning for these projects moves forward.

Learn more: www.transcoalition.org/calendar.html#sfbrt

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Speak up on MTC’s Transit Connectivity Plan
Your comments are needed as MTC moves closer to adopting a Transit Connectivity Plan for the Bay Area, which seeks to better connect regional rapid transit services at key points of transfer between the many different transit systems. The Plan includes elements such as signage, improved coordination of route scheduling, and station amenities. Some are concerned that the Plan and future policies will not adequately reinforce a "network" approach to the region's transit – and is unclear about achieving cooperation among transit providers.

Review the Plan at www.mtc.ca.gov/meetings/hearings/connectivity.htm. Comments are due by 4 pm on Friday, April 14.

Take action: For more information and to discuss concerns about the report before commenting, contact Linda Craig, President of the League of Women Voters of the Bay Area (president@lwvba-ca.org) or David Schonbrunn of TRANSDEF (david@schonbrunn.org).

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Don’t miss TALC’s next regional meeting on May 17
The next TALC regional meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 17 at 5:30 in San Francisco.

At TALC's February meeting, we tackled several priority campaigns that TALC and member groups are working on: MTC's transit-oriented development policy, the state budget and bonds, the Sonoma-Marin rail, Bus Rapid Transit in San Francisco, BART to San Jose, Lifeline Transportation, Community-Based Transportation Plans, and threats to Safe Routes to School at the state level. Meeting notes are available on TALC’s website.

Notes from past meetings: www.transcoalition.org/cal/minutes_archive.html
View the calendar of events: www.transcoalition.org/calendar.html

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Members in Action

Support the Santa Clara Land Conservation Initiative
A coalition of environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter and Greenbelt Alliance, has launched a citizen initiative aimed at protecting ranchlands, hillsides, and agriculture in Santa Clara County. The Initiative also places safeguards on scenic views, streamside corridors, and sensitive wildlife habitat while avoiding any negative impacts on the county's affordable housing needs. TALC has endorsed the Initiative.

Learn more and support the Initiative: www.openspace2006.org

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Upcoming conference on community-inclusive design
Design Corps, in association with Public Architecture and Urban Ecology, is pleased to announce its upcoming conference, Structures for Inclusion 6. Addressing the theme of "Expanding Design," SFI6 will take place Friday, March 24 through Sunday, March 26 in San Francisco, and is hosted by the Academy of Art University. Complete details, including registration, can be found on the new Design Corps website.

Learn more: www.designcorps.org/sfi