The Collector
December 6, 2024
Your Next Opportunity to Speak Up About Unmet Transit Needs
The Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) is in charge of transit planning for the region, including running the annual public process to collect information on unmet transit needs. The next unmet transit needs hearing will be held next Thursday at 5 pm at the HCAOG Board meeting (at Eureka City Hall or online).
With the recent approval of Measure O providing a potentially significant source of new transit funding, the defeat of Measure F removing a roadblock to development of the Eureka Regional Transit and Housing Center (EaRTH Center), and plans proceeding to add many new housing units along our main regional transit corridor, this is a particularly important time for decision-makers to hear from riders and potential riders about how to prioritize transit investments.
A better transit system is also a key climate solution, since the majority of local greenhouse gas emissions come from driving personal vehicles. So you might want to stick around at the HCAOG meeting after you make your transit comments and listen to the Board’s discussion about taking a leadership role in implementation of the Humboldt County Regional Climate Action Plan. CRTP and our environmental allies advocated for HCAOG to take on this role, and we are excited to see staff preparing to hit the ground running when the plan is finally approved next year.
State E-Bike Voucher Program Finally Launching!
After countless delays and rumors of cancellation, the state of California has announced that its e-bike incentive program is finally launching on December 18th. The program will provide vouchers of up to $2,000 to income-qualified residents toward the purchase of an e-bike. If you received but have not yet spent an e-bike voucher from the Redwood Coast Energy Authority, the local voucher can be combined with the state’s to provide even more financial support. (There may also be some limited local voucher funding still available, especially for Arcata residents.)
The first phase of the program will only release enough funding for up to 1,500 vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis, so be prepared to file your application quickly when the program launches on December 18th! More information can be found on the official program website and from CalBike.
Arcata Transit Will Fully Integrate Into Regional System
The City of Arcata has formally requested that the Humboldt Transit Authority take over the city’s Arcata & Mad River Transit System. CRTP supports fully integrating the Arcata system into HTA, which will allow more efficient operations and help efforts to make the entire local transit network more seamless and understandable for riders. However, some crucial details need to be worked out, including how to maintain and upgrade the Arcata Transit Center, which will still be owned by the city. The HTA Board discussed these issues at its meeting this week, and is scheduled to finalize the transition at its February meeting.
Draft Del Norte Regional Transportation Plan Available for Comment
Del Norte County’s Regional Transportation Plan is updated every four years, and it has come a long way since CRTP first commented on the 2016 version (just a year after our organization was founded). But we believe the current version still lacks the necessary ambition to meet major challenges like reducing climate pollution, increasing bicyclist and pedestrian safety, and improving public transit. You can submit your comments on the plan via the Del Norte Local Transportation Commission site until December 26th.
News from Beyond the North Coast
US Department of Transportation Publishes Parking Reform Guide
The federal government now officially recognizes reforms like eliminating parking mandates for new development and charging for curb parking as “Climate Strategies that Work,” and has provided a helpful guide for local communities.
Congestion Pricing Is Back in New York City
New York’s governor unexpectedly canceled the long-planned congestion pricing launch shortly before the election, but it’s now back on – albeit with a greatly reduced toll. Congestion pricing has a long and successful track record of reducing traffic and air pollution while supporting public transit and biking in cities around the world, but New York’s will be the first such program to launch in the United States.
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.