Michael Pimentel

The Association is proud to welcome former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg as the keynote speaker for the 60th Annual Fall Conference & Expo.

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A tremendous week of learning, collaboration and celebration with our transit partners at the American Public Transportation Association’s Transform! Congrats to all of this year’s award recipients - it’s a testament to the innovative leadership California is bringing to the #transit industry.

We’ve been informed by the Governor’s Department of Finance that it won’t agree before our legislative session ends (on Friday) to finalize a $750M bridge loan to Bay Area transit.

This loan was agreed to in our June budget. Without it, BART, Muni, et al will cut service.🧵

Cap-and-Trade investments in transit tackle overlapping challenges including congestion, pollution, climate change, and economic disparity. (1/3)

Transit agencies across California depend on Cap-and-Trade funding certainty for capital projects and operations.

The Climate Safe Infrastructure Coalition has sent priorities to California's Governor and Legislature following last week's rally at the Capitol.

Read the letter:
bit.ly/4lW8wxt

The California Transit Association is proud to stand alongside partners from across the state in urging #CALeg and Gov to prioritize Cap-and-Trade investments in climate-safe infrastructure that reduces emissions and supports middle-class jobs. Read our letter: bit.ly/3IpStt9

During a press conference organized by the Climate Safe Infrastructure Coalition earlier today, Executive Director Michael Pimentel emphasized the impact of Cap & Trade program investments to date and emphasized the importance of continued investments to support California's climate goals.

Join us tomorrow, July 8, 2025, at 10 a.m. on the West Steps of the State Capitol to support the Climate Safe Infrastructure Coalition’s mission for sustainable infrastructure investments.

Spent the day in Marina for the groundbreaking of the MST SURF! Project. This busway will transform travel along the Central Coast, connecting the cities of Salinas and Monterey — and all cities in between — with a dedicated busway. This project is critical for relieving congestion on Highway 1.

Thank you @scottwiener.bsky.social @jessearreguin.bsky.social & @asmmarkgonzalez.bsky.social for fighting for transit. The Legislature's budget proposal restores $1.1B in transit funding w/up to $750M in loans to Bay Area agencies—but it's not final until an agreement w/ @governor.ca.gov is reached.

In the weeks ahead, we must continue to fight to ensure that the Leg.’s restoration of transit funding remains in the final budget.

We must also continue to highlight for Gov and Leg. the importance of maintaining all continuous GGRF funding commitments to transit through 2030 and beyond. 2/2

The Legislature’s two-party #cabudget agreement brings hope to the fight to protect transit funding, but there’s still more work for us to do. See my Op-Ed for @caltransit.bsky.social in @sacbee.com. #caleg 1/2

RIP to this musical genius and gentle soul.

Brian’s music helped shape California’s identity to our nation and the world, and he was one of the defining voices of 60’s pop & rock music.

I’m glad to have grown up in an era that saw him get new acclaim in the music of so many indie acts.

BIG TRANSIT NEWS: As part of Senate/Assembly budget negotiations, we’ve agreed to reject the Governor’s $1.1B proposed cut to public transit. We’ve also agreed to extend a $750M loan to major Bay Area transit systems facing massive service cuts. 🧵

Through @caltransit.bsky.social we will continue to engage the Governor and Legislature to urge that they reach budget and Cap-and-Trade agreements that protects all one-time and continuous transit funding. 3/3

With the agreement, ~$1.6B in continuous transit funding hangs in the balance.

This is not unexpected, as any action on this funding will be looped into broader Cap-and-Trade discussions.

Negotiations now proceed with Gov to reach a three-party agreement. Action on C&T expected this summer. 2/3

Senate & Assembly Announce Legislative Budget Agreement Official website of California's Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire, representing California Senate District 02.

What’s in the two-party agreement for transit?

💵 Rejection of the Governor’s $1.1B in proposed cuts to one-time transit funding. This restores all one-time funding for SB 125 (emergency relief) and TIRCP Cycle 6 (major capital projects).

💳 New $750M loan to Bay Area transit agencies. 1/3 #caleg

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“Stripping state funding now would jeopardize that progress and threaten an essential service that so many depend on every single day.”

“Rider satisfaction is also on the rise, with riders five times more likely to say their satisfaction has improved over the past year. And MTS is recognized for its value, with 86% of riders and 83% of non-riders agreeing that MTS provides value to the community.”

“Results from recent MTS passengers’ surveys highlight that transit is a critical link connecting people to better opportunities — more than two-thirds of our riders are using MTS to access jobs and education.”

“So, what’s fueling this transit growth? Better service, better customer experience, and better accessibility for riders.”

Opinion: San Diego transit faces 'fiscal cliff' if California backtracks on funding MTS is serving more and more riders, but faces a financial crossroads, with once-dependable transit funding from the state in jeopardy.

MTS is leading the nation on transit recovery.

🚌 80M trips annually
📍95% pre-pandemic ridership
📈 2nd fastest ridership recovery

But the state budget threatens this progress with $3B in cuts to transit funding.

Sharon Cooney, Chair
@caltransit.bsky.social, CEO @sandiegomts.bsky.social

Without continued GGRF commitments to TIRCP and LCTOP, agencies, including the Gold Coast Transit District, may face difficult choices between cutting service levels just as ridership rebounds.

Bay Area Transit Faces a Fiscal Crisis. Newsom’s Budget Plan Could Make It Worse | KQED Gov. Gavin Newsom's latest budget plan omits funding from cap-and-trade revenue that train, bus and ferry operators are depending on.

Lots at stake in the state budget for Bay Area transit — and for projects and services in LA, OC, SD, IE, Central Coast, CV. We must work to reverse the proposed cuts to one-time funding as we stabilize and increase ongoing support for transit. Great reporting @danbrekke.bsky.social #caleg #transit

The California Transit Association recommends the Legislature and Newsom Administration reach agreement on a final Cap-and-Invest Plan that honors all existing commitments from the GGRF.

Full statement: caltransit.org/News/News-An...

Gov. Newsom's Cap-and-Invest Plan puts $3B for transit at risk.

@caltransit.bsky.social is working to protect these funds as we call on the Gov. and Legislature to enact a final plan built on a foundation of investment in mass transit. #caleg #transit

Read our letter: tinyurl.com/22a5tscp

Done!

As the legislative session kicks into high gear, it’s time to ensure you’re following the players working to improve public transit in California.

See someone who should be on the list, let me know! #caleg #transit