The Collector
November 1, 2024
Buses Every 15 Minutes in the Humboldt Bay Region!
The Humboldt Transit Authority has won a major state grant which will fund the infrastructure to support a new express bus service running zero-emission buses every 15 minutes all the way from Trinidad to Scotia. A system with such frequent buses means a truly convenient transit service for the many thousands of people who live near the main bus route connecting the region’s biggest communities, including McKinleyville, Arcata, Eureka and Fortuna. The project also includes major bus stop upgrades, including real-time informational signage about bus arrival times, as well as lighting and public art. Read more details about this transformative project in the official grant announcement.
But before you run out to your nearest bus stop, you should know that the 15-minute service won’t happen right away. A lot of important details remain to be decided, including the exact route and schedule for the express bus. Even more importantly, while the new grant pays for all of the infrastructure to support 15-minute service, it doesn’t pay for the ongoing operational expenses like driver salaries and maintenance. So to make this happen, we need to secure ongoing, reliable funding for local transit operations. Speaking of which…
Don’t Forget to Vote!
Next Tuesday is Election Day. If you are eligible to vote but haven’t cast your ballot yet, make sure you have a plan to vote! Securing sufficient funding for public transit (not to mention safer streets and walkable infill development) depends on the support of federal, state and local elected officials. Candidates often have strikingly different views on these issues, so check out their platforms and records.
And don’t forget about those local ballot measures! For Eureka voters, CRTP strongly urges a “No” vote on Measure F, which seeks to block construction of walkable housing and a much-needed downtown transit center. Recent reporting from the Lost Coast Outpost suggests that Measure F is probably not only illegal but also unenforceable, and we agree with that analysis – but we’d rather not take any chances.
Other local measures that could affect transit funding are Arcata’s Measure H and countywide Measure O. Both are sales taxes that include transit services among the potential uses of their revenues. In the case of Measure O, Humboldt County Supervisors have said the majority of funds would go to roads, but have also promised to spend a significant portion on transit.
Speak Up About Your Transit Needs!
Over the next two months, eight hearings are scheduled in Humboldt County to hear from residents about their unmet transit needs. There will be hearings in Eureka, Arcata, Rio Dell, Ferndale, Trinidad and Blue Lake. The first hearings are scheduled for next Tuesday evening at Rio Dell City Hall and next Wednesday morning at the Humboldt Transit Authority Board meeting in Eureka. Check out the full schedule of hearings, and mark your calendar for one that works for you.
The unmet transit needs hearing process is legally mandated and happens every year. But this year, with the potential for 15-minute bus service and key decisions about transit funding on the horizon, we think participation is particularly important. The transit needs documented at these hearings can help make the case for more transit funding, and guide decisions about what to do with that funding. If you can’t attend any of the hearings – or even if you can – you can also fill out a survey about your unmet transit needs. Responda la encuesta sobre necesidades de transporte insatisfechas en español aquí.
News from Beyond the North Coast
Take Action to Support Safer Vehicles
As we previously reported, the federal government has finally proposed a rule to make vehicles less likely to kill pedestrians in a crash – specifically by regulating the design of their hoods. A lot more needs to be done, but this is an important first step. Our friends at America Walks have created an easy way for you to voice your support.
Indianapolis Supports Neighborhood Quick-Build Projects
Sometimes, it’s so hard to get a city or county to take action to make a road safer that neighbors take matters into their own hands and make unofficial changes – think hand-painted crosswalks or improvised traffic calming devices. The City of Indianapolis has turned this common scenario on its head, and is now providing a “lending library” of materials, along with city staff support, to empower neighborhoods to implement their own official traffic safety projects.
The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.