SPEEDING AHEAD ON COMMUTE RELIEF

This week (June 22) the Bay Area Council took a crucial step forward on its initiative to bring widespread commute relief to the most economically productive region in the country. Indeed the Highway 101 corridor between San Francisco and San Jose is driving California’s economy, as the population in this corridor generates nearly a quarter of the tax revenue in the entire state with less than a tenth of its population.

We can’t afford to let commute congestion jeopardize our economy. That’s why the Council’s 101 corridor strategy includes a multi-pronged approach which includes implementing a carpool lane on Highway 101, electrifying Caltrain, and potentially introducing a North-South ferry route to serve Silicon Valley. On Monday (June 22), the Council’s Water Transit Subcommittee met with Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) Executive Director Nina Rannells to explore opportunities to expedite the expansion of ferry service on the bay and provide a new commute alternative specifically in this severely congested 101 corridor.

The Council also convened top regional transportation leaders this week to drive the creation of a carpool lane in San Mateo County on an ambitious five year timeline, with additional strategies including employer-provided commute alternatives, highway system management technology, and pricing mechanisms to align demand and supply. Our legislative partner, Assemblymember Kevin Mullin (D-San Mateo), introduced AB 378 to provide a call to action to achieve significant commute relief on Highway 101 in the next few years.

To engage in the Council’s transportation policy work, please contact Senior Vice President of Policy Michael Cunningham.