Governing Structures for Successful Regional Transit Coordination and their Formation

Abstract:

The expansion of metropolitan areas in California has further prompted the need to improve transportation options for all, more effectively linking origins and destinations through key enhancements to the existing network of transit services. This study provides planners and policymakers examples of effective regional transit coordination agencies. To improve multimodal connections and enhance transit services at the local and regional levels, this study explores regional coordination, focusing on entities charged with coordinating multiple transit agencies in a single metropolitan area. The study identified 16 regional transit coordinators (RTCs), identifying the structure, scope, and management of each. The results revealed that there are many factors involved in creating an organization with the authority to coordinate regional transit, including how the organization was established and elements related to the formation of an RTC (e.g., regional dynamics and board composition). It is also important to study the powers vested in different types of boards and members, as well as the executive director. There is a wide range of state legislation for the legal establishment of RTCs. Voluntary transit federations, another option, fall into two categories: loose federations, based on consensus and strong federations, based on binding arrangements to coordinate fares, services, and information. The authors offer options for establishing an RTC in California, including a multi-county owned corporation with an ex officio board; an agency of the state or regional government; and a special district with an ex officio board representing counties, cities, planning staff, operator staff, and state transport agencies. Finally, suggestions for creating the board are provided along with a recommendation that the state develop a legislative framework to establish RTCs in its metropolitan areas.

Publications:

Governing Structures for Successful Regional Transit Coordination and their Formation (Full Report)

Research Brief

Authors:

CHARLES R RIVASPLATA, PHD, MTPS

Dr. Rivasplata is a Senior Lecturer in Urban and Regional Planning at San José State University, a Principal with Transportation Choices for Sustainable Communities, and an MTI Research Associate. His research and teaching interests include sustainable transportation planning, public transit coordination, and travel demand management. He holds an MS in Civil Engineering and an MCP in City and Regional Planning from the University of California, Berkeley and a PhD in Transportation Policy from the University of California, Davis.

RICHARD W LEE, PHD, AICP

Dr. Lee is a lecturer in the Urban and Regional Planning Department at San José State University and a Principal with Transportation Choices for Sustainable Communities. He has been an MTI Research Associate for over 25 years, and has over 35 years of experience as a transportation consultant and academic. He holds an MS in Civil Engineering, an MCP, and a PhD in City and Regional Planning, all from the University of California, Berkeley.

MICHELLE DE ROBERTIS, PHD, PE

Dr. De Robertis is a transportation engineer and a Research Associate with the Mineta Transportation Institute. Her areas of expertise are bicycle and pedestrian transportation and transit-friendly city policies. She brings a multi-modal perspective to transportation studies. She is also a Principal at Transportation Choices for Sustainable Communities, a 501c3 non-profit. She holds a BSCE and MSCE from UC Berkeley and a PhD from the University of Brescia, Italy.

CHRISTOPHER E FERRELL, PHD, MUP

Dr. Ferrell is the Executive Director of Transportation Choices for Sustainable Communities, a non-profit transportation research and policy institute, and a Research Associate for the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI), where he has served as principal investigator for nine research projects since 2006. His research focuses on the relationships between transportation and land use, livability, travel behavior, planning policy, and institutional structures. He holds a PhD in City and Regional Planning from the University of California, Berkeley.

Published:

September 2024

Keywords:

Public transit

Regional coordination

Governance

Transit boards

Public transport integration