We're in Redwood City tonight for the next event in @TransForm_Alert's Connecting Communities series, "A More Coordinated Transit Network: Learning From Other Regions" 
Moderator @Alfleisher of @SPUR_Urbanist introducing panelists @icgee of @seamlessbayarea, @alevin, @eliasarnestrand of @innorhouse, and Wiebke Geldmacher of DB
Our fragmented 27+ agencies have a range of issues, from disjointed maps to inconsistent fare policies
Next on to @icgee - @seamlessbayarea is both doing research on what possible solutions exist and advocacy informing the public
Polling shows that the public supports investing in public transit, particularly if it can be seamless, reliable, fast, and affordable. @seamlessbayarea has put together a proposed regional map that multiple agencies could operate seamlessly
Contrast the SF Bay Area with Greater Frankfurt in Germany - Frankfurt has even more operators but has successfully integrated their systems and achieved much higher ridership. There are a few models of how this can be achieved with a "network manager"
@seamlessbayarea identifies three needed policy changes that would help us bring this about locally. #SB278 has already been introduced in Sacramento which enables raising revenue but we need to incorporate 1 and 3 into that bill or a new bill. Proposes a state level commission.
Now onto Wiebke Geldmacher of @DB_Bahn, here from Sacramento. She'll tell us more about how transport associations work in Germany - aka Verkehrsverbunds
When traveling within a single transport association you only need one ticket, which is associated with one fee structure and a common schedule. The German constitution guarantees a right to mobility!
Berlin introduced an app integrating transit with bikeshare and other mobility options with the goal of helping get more people out of cars
@eliasarnestrand is from Sweden and based in Palo Alto at @innorhouse (note the shout out to @GretaThunberg)
Public transportation enjoys broad support in Sweden and is particularly green - 100% of transit in Stockholm region is run on renewable energy
Public transportation is run by private companies through government procurements. There is strong integration at the regional level and various forms of integration at the national (single tickets) as well as Nordic and EU levels
Sweden's national government funds transit projects in part based on local commitments to build housing! (cc @yimbyaction @Scott_Wiener @yimbymobility)
Sweden has strategic innovation programs engaging a range of stakeholders. Looking to incorporate shared mobility into their overall transit network. They also have pilots of running software-driven buses publicly and using AI to optimize transit
And they're hosting a summit locally at Stanford in January
Here in Redwood City we could see a new connection across the Dumbarton Bridge! But there are tremendous challenges with all of the different stakeholders, including Facebook and Union Pacific. There's no one in charge taking a true regional look
How are these high functioning systems funded? Questioner from Cupertino points out that sales tax is regressive.
In Germany the farebox recovery is high but the state covers the balance through taxes, largely on income.
Similar in Sweden, regional tax including income. 50% frr
In Germany the farebox recovery is high but the state covers the balance through taxes, largely on income.
Similar in Sweden, regional tax including income. 50% frr
Question from a RWC councilor - who here is hiring the European operators here?
DB has offices in Sac, Irvine, NJ, working with local transit operators and CAHSR.
The Swedish government is funding their local efforts in Palo Alto.
DB has offices in Sac, Irvine, NJ, working with local transit operators and CAHSR.
The Swedish government is funding their local efforts in Palo Alto.
How does Europe deal with first/last mile and sprawl?
Bikeshare and car share have been big in Germany. Feeder buses important too.
Bikeshare and car share have been big in Germany. Feeder buses important too.
Is it more feasible to create a new transportation network manager or "promote" an existing agency?
@icgee explains that @seamlessbayarea has not prescribed a single solution, is advocating for a more in depth study which will recommend changes to a range of agencies
@icgee explains that @seamlessbayarea has not prescribed a single solution, is advocating for a more in depth study which will recommend changes to a range of agencies
@Alfleisher asks what has prevented @MTCBATA from taking a stronger role.
@icgee says that their mandate and their relationship to operators is not as clear as it should be; operators accountable to their own boards.
MTC's governance structure also doesn't incentivize regionalism
@icgee says that their mandate and their relationship to operators is not as clear as it should be; operators accountable to their own boards.
MTC's governance structure also doesn't incentivize regionalism
@alevin tells story of a conference in Davis which brought together experts from other parts of the world; nobody there had the same story about how they achieved regional integration
Adrian Brandt asks how Verkehrsverbunds were able to sweep across Germany so quickly.
In Hamburg it started as a demand from customers, then it spread by a mixture of demand from passengers and support from the state.
@seamlessbayarea is putting energy into legislation.
In Hamburg it started as a demand from customers, then it spread by a mixture of demand from passengers and support from the state.
@seamlessbayarea is putting energy into legislation.
