Current Actions

• Tell Santa Clara County Leaders to Support Rapid Transit with Improved Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety

  As VTA plans for new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines along the Alum Rock, El Camino, and Stevens Creek corridors, we have a chance to improve public transportation, bicycle and pedestrian safety in Santa Clara County.

  BRT's efficiency comes from its use of bus only lanes. But right now these projects are in danger of being designed to prioritize car drivers over all other road users.

  Our elected officials need to consider transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in the design of Bus Rapid Transit.  BRT can improve transportation for everyone!

  Please add your own personal message to the email. Personal messages get more attention by elected officials and have a greater impact.

• Defend Bike/Ped & Transit Funding in Federal Transportation Bill!

  The new federal transportation bill is now being hotly debated and will likely be passed in the next few months. What's in it shapes the nation and California's transportation choices - or lack thereof.

  Funds for public transportation and designated bike/ped are seriously at risk based on the draft bill the House released.  In the most shocking move yet, House Ways and Means Committee members have proposed eliminating guaranteed funding for the Mass Transit Account and forcing transit to go begging before Congress for general funds each year.  Things have never looked quite this dire.

  But there's also incredible potential for the bill. A new policy would require minimum safety standards for roads to maximize safety not just for cars, but those on foot and bicycle.  If he policy passes through, the U.S. Department of Transportation would work with states to develop standards to ensure that any transportation project built with federal funds provides safe and adequate accommodation for both motorized *and* non-motorized users.  This "Safer Streets" policy is a huge step forward for federal transportation policy!

  Email your Congress members to defend dedicated bike/ped and full public transportation funding in the bill and support the Safer Streets policy.

  Learn more about TransForm's work to shape the federal transportation bill.

• Sen. Boxer: Please Champion a Transportation Bill in the Spirit of the President's Proposal

  High speed trains, repaired bridges and roads, more reliable and convenient public transit, safe streets for walking and biking... these are just some of the important projects that could get a big boost from a visionary federal transportation bill – and President Obama’s proposal would do just that.
  
  The new federal transportation legislation can be a turning point for California’s economy, bringing jobs and mobility to our state just when we need it most. But we need a leader on Capitol Hill to step up to the task – and Senator Boxer is in a unique position to be that leader.
  
  Tell Senator Boxer that California wants her to lead the way in turning President Obama’s proposal into the transformative federal transportation legislation we desperately need.

  Add a personalized message, which makes a much larger impact.

• Tell Washington to Make Our Commuter Benefits Permanent

  In 2009, Congress more than doubled the amount employees can deduct from their paychecks before taxes to apply towards public transportation commuting costs.

  The benefit went from $120 to $230 per month to match the deduction car commuters get for parking.

  But as of January 1, 2012 the benefit went down to $125 per month - while car drivers got an increase of their parking benefit from $230 to $240!  Read the details at http://bit.ly/tRgdnZ.

  In the next two months, we have a chance to win the benefit back as part of the tax relief debates. 

  We must urge Congress to do the right thing and to pass the  "Commuter Benefits Equity Act" (H.R. 2412, S. 1034) which would establish permanent parity between the parking and commuter benefit.

  Please add your own personal message. It makes a huge difference when representatives hear your individual voice and perspective.