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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso - CC - 140-2021DocuSign Envelope ID: 5FF9FE9D-8E6C-4AEE-89BA-F8A24CBD82DE RESOLUTION NO. 140-2021 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURLINGAME SUPPORTING THE BAY AREA SEAMLESS TRANSIT PRINCIPLES WHEREAS, the San Francisco Bay Area, despite being an exceptional place to live, faces an uncertain future due to several interrelated issues such as decreasing housing affordability, increasing congestion, rising pollution, widening inequality, and the recent COVID-19 public health crisis, all of which are exacerbated by an inadequate and poorly -performing public transportation system; and WHEREAS, despite billions of dollars of investments in new transportation infrastructure over the past five decades, public transit in the Bay Area has failed to attract large numbers of new riders, and has never been used by more than 12% of the population for commute trips since 1970; by contrast automobiles have always been used for over 75% of commute trips; and WHEREAS, the quality of and usage of public transit in the Bay Area has declined in recent years, with transit trips per capita declining by 10%, average bus speeds declining by 9%, and transit commute times increasing by 11 % between 2001 and 2016; and WHEREAS, the California Air Resources Board reported in 2018 that no California regions, including the Bay Area, are on track to meet their greenhouse gas reduction targets, with increasing Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) and declines in transit ridership cited as primary factors; and WHEREAS, using public transit in the Bay Area is inconvenient and costly for many types of trips, requiring riders to: use multiple transit systems operated independently with little coordination; pay multiple separate fares; experience unpredictable transfers; and navigate different wayfinding systems and brand identities; and WHEREAS, low income people, many of whom have experienced displacement and have long commutes requiring multiple transit services, are among the most adversely affected by the Bay Area's poorly integrated public transportation system, experiencing a significant financial burden from needing to pay multiple separate transit fares or being forced into costly vehicle ownership; and WHEREAS, regions with high -ridership public transportation systems are, by contrast, characterized by highly integrated networks of quality local and regional transit services that make traveling without a private automobile convenient and easy for all types of trips, featuring aligned routes and schedules, coordinated transfers, high quality transit hubs, common branding and customer information, and other common regional customer experience standards; and WHEREAS, regions that have successfully integrated and simplified transit fares have experienced many broad social benefits, including a shift in travel from private cars to public DocuSign Envelope ID: 5FF9FE9D-8E6C-4AEE-89BA-F8A24CBD82DE transit, an increase in overall public transit usage, and expanded mobility options and cost savings for riders; and WHEREAS, a well -functioning and coordinated transit system plays a critical role in supporting public health and safety during an emergency, with 31 % of Bay Area essential workers relying on public transit to get to work; it also plays a critical role in supporting an economic recovery; and, during and in the aftermath of major disruptions to transit systems, close coordination among agencies facilitates prioritization of the most critical needs, efficient deployment of resources, and clear communication to customers. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURLINGAME RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: 1. The City of Burlingame affirms its commitment to working collaboratively with State agencies, MTC, municipalities, and other public agencies to develop a highly integrated regional transportation system that provides convenient, seamless, and affordable transit for customers. 2. The City Council supports the Seamless Transit Principles listed in Attachment A, and agrees to be publicly listed as a supporter. 3. The City Council authorizes the City Manager to prepare and sign support letters for a Bay Area Seamless Transit system as needed. Ricardo Ortiz, Vice -Mayor I, Meaghan Hassel -Shearer, City Clerk of the City of Burlingame, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 15th day of November, 2021 and was adopted thereafter by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers: BEACH, BROWNRIGG, COLSON, ORTIZ NOES: Councilmembers: NONE ABSENT: Councilmembers: O'BRIEN KEIGHRAN Meaghan Hassel -Shearer, City Clerk DocuSign Envelope ID: 5FF9FE9D-8E6C-4AEE-89BA-F8A24CBD82DE ATTACHMENT A The Seamless Transit Principles Viewable at: www.seamlessbayarea.org/seamless-transit- principles 1) Run all Bay Area transit as one easy -to -use system Public transit should work as one seamless, connected, and convenient network across the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Getting around on transit should be as fast and easy as driving a car. Coordinated bus, rail, and ferry routes and schedules should encourage effortless transfers. Consistent and clear customer information, branding, and maps should make using transit simple and dignified. i 2) Put riders first © Riders should feel comfortable when using transit and be treated like valued customers. Public transit agencies must do more to listen to riders and continuously improve service. They must prioritize riders' needs above all else, and overcome all operational, political and bureaucratic barriers to provide an excellent and seamless customer experience. ��• 3) Make public transit equitable and accessible to all People of all income levels, ages, abilities, genders, and backgrounds should have h • °�•y access to world -class public transit. People who are the most reliant on transit are best served by a universal, inclusive, regionally integrated, connected system that is used by all. People with limited means to pay for transit should be provided with discounts. / 4) Align transit prices and passes to be simple, fair, and affordable Transit should provide good value for money. Fares across the region's 27 public transit agencies must be aligned into a consistent, fair, and affordable system that encourages using transit for all types of trips and doesn't punish riders for transferring. Cost-effective monthly passes should work across the Bay Area and should be widely available to individuals, employers, and schools. 5) Connect effortlessly with other sustainable transportation `• b A person's journey does not end when they get off a bus or exit a station. Excellent pedestrian, bicycle, and other pollution -free transportation options should seamlessly connect public transit to communities and destinations, supporting door-to-door trips that don't require a car. 6) Plan communities and transportation together onn oo High quality public transit should be at the heart of communities across the Bay Area. Transportation should be closely aligned with our regions land use, promoting a �■■mr connected network of transit -oriented, walkable communities that expands access to affordable housing and job opportunities, and reduces car travel and greenhouse gas emissions. DocuSign Envelope ID: 5FF9FE9D-8E6C-4AEE-89BA-F8A24CBD82DE 7) Prioritize reforms to create a seamless network A regionally integrated, world -class transit system won't happen on its own -- it will take leadership, unprecedented levels of cooperation, and changes to existing local, " n4wa regional, and state policies. The cities, counties, public transit agencies, regional authorities, business leaders, advocacy groups and elected representatives of the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California megaregion must prioritize the broad public interest and urgently work together collaboratively to advance critical reforms. Our future depends on it!