Description

The expansion of metropolitan areas in California has further prompted the need to improve transportation options for all, more effectively linking origins and destinations through key enhancements to the existing network of transit services. This study provides planners and policymakers examples of effective regional transit coordination agencies. To improve multimodal connections and enhance transit services at the local and regional levels, this study explores regional coordination, focusing on entities charged with coordinating multiple transit agencies in a single metropolitan area. The study identified 16 regional transit coordinators (RTCs), identifying the structure, scope, and management of each. The results revealed that there are many factors involved in creating an organization with the authority to coordinate regional transit, including how the organization was established and elements related to the formation of an RTC (e.g., regional dynamics and board composition). It is also important to study the powers vested in different types of boards and members, as well as the executive director. There is a wide range of state legislation for the legal establishment of RTCs. Voluntary transit federations, another option, fall into two categories: loose federations, based on consensus and strong federations, based on binding arrangements to coordinate fares, services, and information. The authors offer options for establishing an RTC in California, including a multi-county owned corporation with an ex officio board; an agency of the state or regional government; and a special district with an ex officio board representing counties, cities, planning staff, operator staff, and state transport agencies. Finally, suggestions for creating the board are provided along with a recommendation that the state develop a legislative framework to establish RTCs in its metropolitan areas.

Publication Date

9-2024

Publication Type

Report

Topic

Transit and Passenger Rail, Planning and Policy

Digital Object Identifier

10.31979/mti.2024.2229

MTI Project

2229

Keywords

Public transit, Governance, Transit boards, Public transport integration, Regional coordination

Disciplines

Infrastructure | Public Policy | Transportation

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