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Push for More in Contra Costa

Author: Bike East Bay

 

Final Vote August 21 on New Contra Costa Transportation Plan

 

August 6, 2019

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is planning to place a new half-cent sales tax for transportation on the March 2020 ballot. The measure could raise $3 billion over 30 years, with bike and pedestrian funding getting 11%, and overal transit and active modes of travel getting 53% of the total. But transit operations are not adequate and this shortfall is a serious issue for a county stuck in traffic. 

The draft plan for how to spend the money raised smartly makes major capital upgrades along commute corridors to move more people, not more cars. This is achieved through transit capital upgrades and modern traffic management improvements to speed buses along. However, the proposed expenditure plan still lacks sufficient funding to operate more express buses and shuttle operations on these corridors. Without better transit service, commuters will remain stuck in their cars. 

Please join Bike East Bay on August 21 to push for more transit funding:

  • When: Wednesday, August 21, 6:00pm
  • Where: 2999 Oak Road at Pleasant Hill BART Station

 

What we like in the Plan?

  • 11% funding for bikes and peds
  • Complete Streets Policy
  • The County’s first Vision Zero Policy
  • The County’s first Transit Plan
  • Good public process for developing Performance Criteria against which all funding is evaluated
  • Public Oversight Committee on which Bike East Bay has a seat

 

What needs improving?

  • More funding for transit is needed
  • Stronger focus on transit-oriented development and job growth in the County
  • Strong performance criteria, which will come after voter approval. There is insufficient time before March 3, 2020 to develop performance criteria with meaningful public oversight—this will have to come after the vote. However, the process for developing performance criteria has to remain under control of the public.

 

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