The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted all aspects of our lives in the Bay Area and transit is no exception. In May, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) established the Blue Ribbon Transit Recovery Task Force to guide the future of the Bay Area’s public transportation network as the region adjusts to new conditions created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Task Force is chaired by MTC Commissioner and Solano County Supervisor Jim Spering and includes other local elected officials as well as advocates for people with disabilities; representatives from the state Senate and Assembly; the California State Transportation Agency; transit operators; business and labor groups; and transit and social justice advocates.

The Task Force will first address the current public transit crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and make recommendations for future funding actions by MTC, as well as discuss strategies to stabilize transit systems and restore ridership and review agencies’ recovery plans with a goal of creating a set of recommendations for repositioning our transit systems for the future.

Transit is a key element in many of the region’s Safe Routes to School programs. To follow the work and decisions of the Task Force, visit the Blue Ribbon Transit Recovery Task Force web page for a schedule of their meetings and additional resources.