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Programs that support alternatives to driving will receive 25% of the transportation sales tax funds, estimated at a total of $245 million over 25 years. |
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The Transit program will receive 20% of the transportation sales tax funds, estimated at a total of $196 million over 25 years.75% of the transit program funding shall be devoted to rapid bus corridor projects and 25% shall be devoted to the other transit programs and projects. |
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Program Benefits: Investing in the transportation future of Monterey County will require a balanced plan that expands the transportation options available for the traveling public. Improved transit service provides an alternative choice for travelers who want to avoid traffic congestion and reduce automobile pollution. Transit supports efficient land use and economic development. Transit also provides mobility for those individuals who cannot drive or afford a private automobile. Projects eligible for transit program funding are: |
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Commuter bus service between Monterey and Salinas |
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Transit Service for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities |
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511 Traveler Information |
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New Transit Facilities |
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Rapid Bus Corridors ("bus rapid transit") |
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Transit Service For The Elderly And Persons
With Disabilities |
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The number of Monterey County residents 75 years of age and older is projected to increase from 19,000 in 2000 to 44,000 in2030. The investment plan includes funding for improved transit services designed to assist the mobility needs of our elderly and disabled residents. |
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Eligible projects include: |
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Expanded MST RIDES (dial-a-ride) service, |
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Support for a county-wide taxi scrip (discount) program, and |
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Acquisition of taxi vehicles that accommodate wheelchairs. |
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| Commuter Bus Service Between Monterey and Salinas |
Increase the frequency of bus service between Monterey and Salinas during commuter hours. Eligible projects will include new buses, operating costs and facilities costs necessary to support the new service.
Commuters are looking for alternatives to driving on congested roads between Monterey and Salinas. Bus travel between these two cities is very popular, with buses often at standing room only during rush hour, with long travel times and waits. Increasing the frequency of this commuter bus service will make this alternative to driving more convenient for commuters. |
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| 511 Travel Information |
| Provide free phone and internet information on traffic conditions, incidents and driving times; trip planning, route and fare information for public transportation services; carpool and vanpool referrals; ride matching services; and bicycle route information. Allows travelers to access real-time information on traffic conditions to help minimize the effects of traffic jams. Facilitates travel by bus transit by making trip planning easier. Encourages travel by bicycle by guiding riders to the safest routes. |
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| New Transit Facilities |
| Create new transit centers to consolidate existing activities into more cost effective facilities in order to minimize operating costs. |
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| Rapid Bus Corridors ("Bus Rapid Transit") |
Establish rapid bus corridors along the key commute corridors.Eligible corridors include:
• Monterey Branch Line—Monterey to Marina
• Lighthouse Avenue—Pacific Grove to Monterey
• Fremont Avenue—Monterey to Seaside
• 8th Street—Intergarrison Road—Marina toward Salinas
• Westside Salinas Connector
• East Salinas Corridor
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| Rapid bus corridors, also known as "bus rapid transit", are an innovative concept to build improvements that allow buses to travel more rapidly than cars in a corridor. Rapid bus corridors operate in a manner similar to rail lines but on a road, allowing flexible use by a variety of bus types. Eligible projects for this program include bus lanes, bus stops, bus priority or "queue jumps" at traffic signals, special bus travel shoulders, technology such as travel time signs and kiosks that support more rapid bus travel, new buses, the cost of operating buses in the corridor and corridor plans. |
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| Safeguards: Transit Program |
Monterey-Salinas Transit, or other eligible applicants, shall apply to the Transportation Agency for Monterey County to approve funding for proposed transit projects. Any application for funds (except for plans and programs) shall be accompanied by a corridor plan outlining the feasibility of the service, including ridership and cost estimates. Capital improvements may be funded by project development phase, by corridor or by corridor segment, as long as the proposed segment provides a benefit to transit travelers independent from the future corridor improvements.
On the Monterey Branch Line, should technical studies indicate that another transit mode, such as light rail transit, would be preferable, then that transit mode will be eligible for funding under this category. |