Compare Versions


Bill PDF |Add To My Favorites | print page

SB-917 Seamless Transit Transformation Act.(2021-2022)



Current Version: 06/20/22 - Amended Assembly

Compare Versions information image


SB917:v97#DOCUMENT

Amended  IN  Assembly  June 20, 2022
Amended  IN  Senate  April 18, 2022

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 917

Introduced by Senator Becker
(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Quirk)
(Coauthors: Senators Dodd and Wiener)
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Lee, Levine, Mullin, and Ting)

February 03, 2022

An act to amend Section 66502 of, and to add Sections 66513.4, 66513.5, 66516.1, 66516.7, and 66516.8 to, the Government Code, relating to transportation.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 917, as amended, Becker. Seamless Transit Transformation Act.
Existing law creates the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, as a local area planning agency and not as a part of the executive branch of the state government, to provide comprehensive regional transportation planning for the region comprised of the City and County of San Francisco and the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma.
This bill would require the commission to develop and adopt a Connected Network Plan, adopt an integrated transit fare structure, develop a comprehensive, standardized regional transit mapping and wayfinding system, develop an implementation and maintenance strategy and funding plan, and establish open data standards, as specified. The bill would require the region’s transit agencies, as defined, to comply with those established integrated fare structure, regional transit mapping and wayfinding system, implementation and maintenance strategy and funding plan, and open data standards, as provided.
This bill would require the transit agencies in the region to establish a regional transit coordinating council and would require the council to, among other things, develop and adopt an integrated transit fare structure. The bill would require the council to submit the integrated transit fare structure to the commission for approval and, after approval, would require each transit agency in the region to present the structure to its board for consideration.
Under existing law, moneys in the Public Transportation Account are continuously appropriated to the Controller for allocation to transportation planning agencies, county transportation commissions, and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit Development Board for purposes of the State Transit Assistance Program. Existing law requires the Controller to allocate those moneys to those entities based on population and qualifying revenue, as specified.
This bill would require the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to notify a transit agency if the commission determines that the transit agency is out of compliance with the integrated transit fare structure, regional transit mapping and wayfinding system, implementation and maintenance strategy and funding plan, or open data standards described above, and would require the commission to indicate what steps are needed to comply. If a transit agency does not comply with the compliance parameters set by the commission or if the commission rejects the transit agency’s request for additional funding or for an exemption, the bill would make that transit agency ineligible to receive a portion of those moneys in an amount to be determined by the commission. The bill would require a transit agency to regain access to any withheld funds upon demonstration of compliance.
To the extent that this bill would mandate that a transit agency establish a new program or provide a higher level of service as part of an existing program, and by imposing additional duties on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: YES  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 This act shall be known, and may be cited, as the Seamless Transit Transformation Act.

SEC. 2.

 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) Transit connectivity and integration in the nine-county San Francisco Bay area has been a longstanding challenge. Legislative efforts to mandate and incentivize coordination between dozens of disparate transit agencies date back to 1996 and earlier.
(b) Low-income residents, many of whom have experienced displacement and have long commutes requiring many transfers, are among the most adversely affected by the fragmentation, experiencing a significant financial burden from needing to pay multiple separate transit fares or being forced into costly vehicle ownership.
(c) As of 2017, only 5 percent of all trips in the San Francisco Bay area were made using transit. Per-capita transit ridership in the region decreased 12 percent between 1991 and 2016. “Plan Bay Area 2050,” prepared by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, has identified that to achieve climate, equity, and economic goals, the share of commuters who travel by transit must increase from 13 percent in 2015 to at least 20 percent by 2050.
(d) The COVID-19 pandemic has led to further ridership declines, due to both dramatic shifts in travel patterns and significant transit service cuts across the region. As the region emerges from the pandemic, transit ridership is recovering much more slowly than the economy as a whole; as of November 2021, transit ridership had recovered to just 40 percent of pre-COVID levels, while traffic on a majority of bay area bridges exceeded 90 percent of pre-COVID levels.
(e) In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in May 2020, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission convened a 32-member Blue Ribbon Transit Recovery Task Force composed of transit agency managers, advocates, and elected officials, to coordinate transit recovery efforts and identify reforms that would position the bay area’s transit system to emerge from the pandemic stronger and more connected than before and to help recover and grow transit ridership.
(f) In July 2021, the task force unanimously approved the Bay Area Transit Transformation Action Plan, which included 27 actions to increase ridership and improve fares and payment, customer access to information, transit network management, accessibility, and funding.
(g) In November 2021, the region’s Fare Integration Task Force, co-led by Bay Area transit agencies and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, unanimously adopted a policy vision statement supporting the advancement further development of key fare integration policies, policies pending available resources and technical considerations, including deployment of an all-agency transit pass, reduced cost transfers, and a refined vision for a common fare structure for regional transit services.
(h) Although the Legislature has generally authorized the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to set rules and regulations related to transit fare coordination and transit connectivity, to ensure preserve local transit agency board authorities and responsibilities, while ensuring that the recommendations emerging from the Bay Area Transit Transformation Action Plan are implemented by the region’s transit agencies in a timely manner and for the benefit of current and future transit riders, this act is necessary.

SEC. 3.

 Section 66502 of the Government Code is amended to read:

66502.
 (a) There is hereby created, as a local area planning agency and not as a part of the executive branch of the state government, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to provide comprehensive regional transportation planning for the region comprised of the City and County of San Francisco and the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma.
(b) For purposes of this title, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Cable car service” means the historic cable car system operated by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.
(2) “Commission” means the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
(3) “Region” means the region described in subdivision (a).
(4) “Local transit service” means bus and light rail transit service within or adjacent to a transit agency’s defined service area within the region, excluding bus services that cross a toll bridge over San Francisco Bay.
(5) “Regional transit service” means all heavy rail, commuter rail, ferry, or express bus services, as designated by a transit agency, and bus services that cross a toll bridge over San Francisco Bay. Regional transit service does not include intercity passenger rail or services operated by the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission.
(6) “Transit agency” means a public agency that meets all of the following requirements:
(A) The public agency provides surface transportation service to the general public, complementary paratransit service to persons with disabilities as required pursuant to Section 12143 of Title 42 of the United States Code, or similar transportation service to people with disabilities or the elderly.
(B) The public agency operates the service service, as described in subparagraph (A) paragraph (1), (4), or (5), by bus, rail, ferry, or other conveyance on a fixed route, demand response, or otherwise regularly available basis.
(C) The public agency generally charges a fare for the service service, as described in subparagraph (A). paragraph (1), (4), or (5).

SEC. 4.

 Section 66513.4 is added to the Government Code, to read:

66513.4.
 The transit agencies in the region shall establish a regional transit coordinating council to undertake the activities designated for the council in this title. The council shall consist of executive directors or general managers, or their designees, representing transit agencies, as well as the executive director of the commission, or their designee.

SEC. 4.SEC. 5.

 Section 66513.5 is added to the Government Code, to read:

66513.5.
 (a) The commission, in consultation coordination with the regional transit coordinating council established pursuant to Section 29142.4 of the Public Utilities Code, 66513.4, shall develop and adopt a Connected Network Plan. Subject to appropriation in the annual Budget Act or the availability of private nonstate other funding provided for this purpose, the commission shall complete the Connected Network Plan on or before March July 31, 2024. In the absence of an appropriation in the annual Budget Act or other sufficient funding made available by a private nonstate source, available for this purpose, the commission shall complete the Connected Network Plan by December 31, 2025.
(b) The Connected Network Plan shall do all of the following:
(1) Be consistent with the State Rail Plan required pursuant to Section 14036 and the California Transportation Plan updated pursuant to Section 65071. 65071 within the timeframe established by the Connected Network Plan.
(2) Identify connected network transit corridors and hubs of regional significance across the region.
(3) Establish Identify a transit priority network for the region that identifies does both of the following:
(A) Identifies corridors that will most benefit from improvements that support fast and reliable transit service that avoids conflict with traffic congestion.
(B) Includes recommendations regarding both of the following:
(i) An approach for coordination with right-of-way owners, including the Department of Transportation and local jurisdictions, on the development and implementation of transit priority improvements on corridors, arterials, and roadways where public transit operates.
(ii) Updates to Department of Transportation design standards and policies to include transit priority improvements.
(4) Identify service-level standards for different parts of the network connected network transit corridors and hubs identified pursuant to paragraph (2) to optimize access across the region, particularly for low-income and transit-dependent populations, corresponding to different density and land use conditions, including by doing both of the following:
(A) Identifying target travel times between key transit hubs, service frequencies, and operating hours for weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
(B) Quantifying access to jobs, housing, and major regional amenities, including, but not limited to, educational institutions, medical facilities, and major recreational destinations. amenities.
(5) Identify operating and capital funding needs associated with the Connected Network Plan. Plan and its potential impacts to farebox revenue.
(c) In implementing any provision of this section, transit agencies shall fulfill all applicable requirements under Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-352) regarding service and fare changes.

SEC. 5.SEC. 6.

 Section 66516.1 is added to the Government Code, to read:

66516.1.
 (a) (1) Consistent with Section 66516, on On or before December 31, 2023, the commission regional transit coordinating council, in coordination with the commission, shall develop and adopt an integrated transit fare structure that will become effective on or before July 1, 2024. The integrated transit fare structure shall be developed in consultation with the regional transit coordinating council established pursuant to Section 29142.4 of the Public Utilities Code. structure, and shall submit the integrated transit fare structure for review and approval by the commission. After approval by the commission, each of the region’s transit agencies shall present the integrated transit fare structure to its governing board for consideration within 90 days. The integrated transit fare structure shall become effective on or before July 1, 2024.

(2)The commission, in consultation with the regional transit coordinating council described in paragraph (1), shall annually review the integrated transit fare structure to determine if updates are necessary, and shall make updates based on the review and consultation.

(3)Each of the region’s transit agencies shall comply with the integrated transit fare structure.

(2) The regional transit coordinating council, in consultation with the commission, shall review the integrated transit fare structure to determine if updates are necessary no less than once per year, and shall recommend updates as needed based on that review and consultation. Any changes to the integrated transit fare structure recommended by the regional transit coordinating council shall be subject to the approval of the commission and the board of each transit agency.
(b) (1) The integrated transit fare structure shall include all of the following: common definitions for adults, youth, seniors, persons with disabilities, and other categories.

(1)No-cost local transit service transfers and reduced-cost regional transit service transfers, regardless of whether transfers are between the same transit agency or multiple transit agencies, except if the transfer is to a cable car service. In the case of a transfer to a cable car service, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency may determine the appropriate transfer fare policy.

(2)Common transfer rules for local fares, such as means for validation.

(3)Common definitions for adults, youth, seniors, persons with disabilities, and other categories.

(2) The integrated transit fare structure may include common transfer rules for local fares, such as the duration of transfer validity.
(c) (1) On or before July 1, 2023, the regional transit coordinating council, in coordination with the commission, shall establish a pilot program to develop and adopt, for the purposes of a period of at least one year and no more than three years, a common system of no-cost local transit service transfers and reduced-cost regional transit service transfers, regardless of whether transfers are between the same transit agency or multiple transit agencies, except if the transfer is to a cable car service. In the case of a transfer to a cable car service, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency may determine the appropriate transfer fare policy. The governing board of each transit agency in the region shall approve participation in the common system of no-cost local transit service transfers and reduced-cost regional transit service transfers for the pilot program upon the fulfillment of all applicable requirements of Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-352). If the pilot program is longer than 18 months, a transit agency may withdraw from the pilot program after 18 months if it is determined by the commission, in coordination with the regional transit coordinating council, that insufficient funding exists to offset the annual financial impact of the pilot program.
(2) On or before October 30, 2023, the commission shall allocate funding to offset the anticipated annual financial impact for the pilot program established pursuant to paragraph (1).
(3) The pilot program established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall commence no later than January 1, 2024, or upon deployment of the Next Generation Clipper Fare Payment System, whichever is sooner.
(4) The commission, in consultation with the regional transit coordinating council, shall prepare a report evaluating the pilot program established pursuant to paragraph (1) and shall present the report at a public meeting at least 90 days before the conclusion of the pilot program. If the report includes recommendations for the continuation of a common system of no-cost local transit service transfers and reduced-cost regional transit service transfers, the commission shall also propose a long-term funding plan, informed by data generated during the pilot program, in the report.
(5) The common system of no-cost local transit service transfers and reduced-cost regional transit service transfers may be incorporated into the integrated transit fare structure upon the conclusion of the pilot program.

(c)

(d) On or before March 31, 2024, the commission, in consultation with the regional transit coordinating council described in subdivision (a), council, in coordination with the commission, shall develop an estimate of the anticipated annual financial impact associated with implementing each of the following policies:
(1) A common fare structure for regional transit services by which trips involving one or more regional transit services are priced equivalently. developed pursuant to this paragraph. The member transit agencies of the regional transit coordinating council that provide regional transit services shall develop the common fare structure for regional transit services in coordination with the commission and shall present a draft of the policy at a public meeting at least 30 days before its adoption.
(2) A multiagency pass, which may include a cap, that allows access to local transit services and regional transit services provided by the region’s transit agencies on a daily or monthly basis for one set price, basis, except for paratransit service as required by Section 37.121 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(d)If

(e) On or before January 1, 2032, if the commission or transit agencies secure sufficient additional funding to offset the annual net cost based on the financial impact estimate prepared pursuant to subdivision (c) (d) to implement a multiagency pass, as described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c), (d), over a three-year period, that policy shall be incorporated into the integrated regional transit fare structure and implemented on a pilot basis for three years. Participation in the pilot by a transit agency shall be subject to approval by its governing board.

(e)

(f) If the commission or transit agencies secure sufficient additional funding to offset the ongoing annual net cost based on the financial impact estimate prepared pursuant to subdivision (c) (d) to implement a common fare structure for regional transit services as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c), (d), over a three-year period, that policy shall be incorporated into the integrated regional transit fare structure and be implemented on a pilot basis for three years. The commission shall develop this common fare structure for regional transit services in consultation with the regional transit coordinating council described in subdivision (a) and shall present a draft of the policy at a public meeting at least 30 days before its adoption. The timing of when the policy shall take effect shall be determined by the commission in consultation with the regional transit coordinating council described in subdivision (a). the member transit agencies of the regional transit coordinating council that provide regional transit services, in coordination with the commission. Participation in the pilot by a transit agency that provides regional transit service shall be subject to approval by its governing board.
(g) At the conclusion of the second year of each three-year pilot program established pursuant to subdivision (e) or (f), the commission, in consultation with the regional transit coordinating council, shall prepare a report evaluating the pilot program and shall present the report at a public meeting at least 180 days before the conclusion of the pilot program. If the report includes recommendations for the continuation of a common fare structure for regional transit services or a multiagency pass, as applicable, the commission shall include a long-term funding plan for the continuation of that activity in the report.

(f)

(h) On or before October 1 of each year, each of the region’s transit agencies shall notify the commission regional transit coordinating council of any proposed change to its fares in order to facilitate the alignment of fare policies across the region’s transit agencies in changes to the integrated transit fare structure for the following year. The commission shall disseminate that information to all of the region’s transit agencies.

(g)

(i) Transit agencies shall make every effort to comply with the requirements of this section without affecting transit service levels. If the commission determines that one of the region’s transit agencies is out of compliance with the integrated transit fare structure described in subdivision (a), then the commission shall first notify the transit agency of noncompliance, and indicate what steps are needed to comply. If a transit agency is unable to comply due to a lack of funding, demonstrated negative impacts to existing transit service levels, the transit agency shall submit a request for additional funding or for an exemption from the requirements of this section to the commission for approval. If the agency does not comply with the compliance parameters set by the commission or if the commission rejects the transit agency’s request for additional funding or for an exemption, that transit agency shall not be eligible to receive a portion of funds pursuant to Section 99313 or 99314 of the Public Utilities Code in an amount to be determined by the commission. The transit agency shall regain access to any withheld funds upon demonstration of compliance.

(h)

(j) This section does not prohibit a transit agency from offering distinct free or discounted transit fares for the categories of riders described in paragraph (3) (1) of subdivision (b).
(k) In implementing any provision of this section, transit agencies and the commission shall fulfill all applicable requirements under Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-352) regarding service and fare changes. If a transit agency requires additional time to comply with those requirements, the operative dates in this section may be extended by the regional transit coordinating council or the commission.
(l) The operation of a transportation system is a core municipal affair as enumerated in Section 9 of Article XI of the California Constitution. Nothing in this section shall be construed to interfere in or dilute the powers, duties, and responsibilities provided by the California Constitution’s charter city home rule provisions.
(m) Nothing in this section shall be construed to interfere with or dilute the powers, duties, and responsibilities granted to transit agencies, including those described in paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 66502 and those set forth in Division 10 (commencing with Section 24501) and Division 16 (commencing with Section 160000) of the Public Utilities Code.
(n) For purposes of this section, “regional transit coordinating council” means the regional transit coordinating council established pursuant to Section 66513.4.

SEC. 6.SEC. 7.

 Section 66516.7 is added to the Government Code, to read:

66516.7.
 (a) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:
(1) The lack of a universal regional transit map and common wayfinding format at transit stops and stations in the region adds to the fragmented experience transit riders encounter, especially when planning a trip across multiple transit agencies.
(2) Research has shown that the way transit lines and stations are displayed on maps strongly influences how travelers use the system.
(b) (1) The commission, in consultation coordination with the regional transit coordinating council established pursuant to Section 29142.4 of the Public Utilities Code, 66513.4, shall, on or before July 1, 2025, do both of the following:
(A) Develop a comprehensive, standardized regional transit mapping and wayfinding system, including standards and resources to display convey information on print, digital, and interactive media, common branding, and a shared digital mapping platform. The system shall identify the standards that are required and the standards that allow for customization, including the manner in which existing transit agency branding may be permitted. The system shall assess and identify assess, identify, and incorporate standards required for wayfinding information to be accessible and usable by people with disabilities.
(B) Develop an implementation and maintenance strategy and funding plan to deploy the comprehensive, standardized regional transit mapping and wayfinding system. The commission may adopt a phased deployment of the system.
(2) Any new investments to mapping and wayfinding, including replacement and upgrades, made by any of the region’s transit agencies shall adhere to the standardized regional transit mapping and wayfinding system and implementation and maintenance strategy and funding plan developed pursuant to this subdivision.
(c) Each of the region’s transit agencies shall use only the standardized regional transit mapping and wayfinding system for all new mapping and wayfinding investments, including replacements and upgrades, made on or after January 1, 2026, unless the commission adopts a schedule that sets out an alternate deployment timeline.
(d) In consultation coordination with the regional transit coordinating council described in subdivision (b), the commission shall update the standardized regional transit mapping and wayfinding system and implementation and maintenance strategy and funding plan, as needed.
(e) Nothing in this section shall prevent a transit agency from displaying their own map on a temporary basis if the regional transit mapping and wayfinding system is unavailable or incapable of addressing the need due to unforeseen circumstances.
(f) Transit agencies shall make every effort to comply with the requirements of this section without affecting existing transit service levels. If the commission determines that one of the region’s transit agencies is out of compliance with subdivision (b), then the commission shall first notify the transit agency of noncompliance, and indicate what steps are needed to comply. If a transit agency is unable to comply due to a lack of funding, demonstrated negative impacts to existing transit service levels, the transit agency shall submit a request for additional funding or for an exemption from the requirements of this section to the commission for approval. If the agency does not comply with the compliance parameters set by the commission or if the commission rejects the transit agency’s request for additional funding or for an exemption, that transit agency shall not be eligible to receive a portion of funds pursuant to Section 99313 or 99314 of the Public Utilities Code in an amount to be determined by the commission. The transit agency shall regain access to any withheld funds upon demonstration of compliance.

SEC. 7.SEC. 8.

 Section 66516.8 is added to the Government Code, to read:

66516.8.
 (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) Studies have shown that travelers view the wait time at a transit stop as the most inconvenient part of the transit journey experience.
(2) Despite best efforts by the region’s transit agencies to adhere to their published schedules, the conditions on the roadway, including congestion and other unplanned delays, create unpredictability for on-time arrivals.
(3) The development of technology enabling real-time transit information, including arrival and departure predictions, vehicle locations, occupancy, and service alerts, has created an opportunity for the region’s transit agencies to alleviate the wait-time frustrations and provide riders with other useful trip information.
(4) Transit riders should have access to consistent and uniform real-time information across all transit services in the region.
(b) (1) On or before July 1, 2023, the commission shall establish open data standards, in consultation with the regional transit coordinating council established pursuant to Section 29142.4 of the Public Utilities Code, 66513.4, that are aligned with, but may exceed, any data standards adopted by the state to provide real-time transit vehicle location, arrival and departure times and predictions, and service alerts data to transit riders, and shall assist in the analysis of transit service to improve service quality. A transit agency may elect not to disclose vehicle location information if it can otherwise comply with the open data standards related to providing arrival and departure times and predictions. The commission shall update the open data standards, in consultation with the regional transit coordinating council described in this paragraph, as needed.
(2) The standards shall enable the provision of real-time arrival data and follow generally accepted accessibility standards.
(3) Each of the region’s transit agencies shall comply with the standards established pursuant to this subdivision and shall share their data with the commission in a format that is compatible with the standards. standards or other format approved by the commission on an interim basis.
(c) The commission shall coordinate the activities of the region’s transit agencies pursuant to subdivision (b), disseminate data collected pursuant to this section to third parties, and develop an implementation and funding plan for deployment of real-time information.
(d) Nothing in this section shall preclude transit agencies from using real-time data that they collect for any purpose, such as in the development of a transit agency’s own mobile application or powering real-time arrival or departure information on their internet website, as long as the data are also shared with the commission.
(e) Nothing in this section shall preclude transit agencies from sharing real-time data directly with third parties, as long as the data are also shared with the commission.
(f) Transit agencies shall make every effort to comply with the requirements of this section without affecting existing transit service levels. If the commission determines that one of the region’s transit agencies is out of compliance with subdivision (b), then the commission shall first notify the transit agency of noncompliance, and indicate what steps are needed to comply. If a transit agency is unable to comply due to a lack of funding, demonstrated negative impacts to existing transit service levels, the transit agency shall submit a request for additional funding or for an exemption from the requirements of this section to the commission for approval. If the transit agency does not comply with the compliance parameters set by the commission or if the commission rejects the transit agency’s request for more funding or for an exemption, that transit agency shall not be eligible to receive a portion of funds pursuant to Section 99313 or 99314 of the Public Utilities Code in an amount to be determined by the commission. The transit agency shall regain access to any withheld funds upon demonstration of compliance.

SEC. 8.SEC. 9.

 If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.