The 2009 Regional Transportation Plan

Results of the 2009 Regional Transportation Plan Campaign

After more than two years of advocacy by TransForm and the work of a wide range of organizations and activists, MTC took a number of important steps towards creating a region of walkable communities and world-class public transportation when they adopted the 2009 RTP. Yet, in many ways, it also came up short.

On the bright side, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission adopted specific goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing transportation affordability, and improving public health.

The 2009 RTP also included unprecedented levels of funding from uncommitted sources for: maintaining public transit; creating better transit connections between low-income communities and key destinations; walking and bicycling safety and infrastructure; promoting smart growth; and fighting climate change.

TransForm's coalition successfully won the following exciting investments:

• Doubling funding for MTC's smart growth program: the Transportation for Livable Communities program will grow from $27 million/year to $60 million/year.
• Doubling funding for Lifeline, MTC's program that provides improved transit for low-income communities from $300 million to $700 million.
• Dramatically more funding for the Safe Routes to Transit program, which funds projects improving the safety and convenience of walking and bicycling to transit. MTC committed an additional $10 million/year (over and above the current $2 million/year).
• $10 million/year for a new Safe Routes to Schools grant program. See TransForm's Bringing Safe Routes to Scale report, which was key in building support for these funds.
• A new climate protection grant program, which includes funding for transit efficiency and public education.
• Full funding - $1 billion - to complete the Regional Bicycle Network (with the exception of the bridges)!

But the RTP is still not what it needs to be: an outcomes-based plan. TransForm continues to watchdog MTC's allocation process to ensure that funding actually flows to the RTP's priorities. And, looking forward, even MTC recognizes that these investments, once you consider the long list of "committed" projects, are not enough to meet their adopted goals.

We deeply thank our activists and regional coalition member organizations, especially Greenbelt Alliance, the Sierra Club, Urban Habitat and the Bay Area Bicycle Coalition for their efforts. More than 100 activists and organizations helped develop the RTP platform, Fighting Climate Change and Winning a Better Bay Area, that guided our campaign.

Review a comparison of what we asked for in the platform versus what we won.

For more information, contact Manolo Gonzalez-Estay.

You can make TransForm an even stronger advocate in 2011 by donating now.