Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor David J. Canepa, District 5
Subject: Resolution Supporting Equity Initiatives by Public Transportation Agencies Serving San Mateo County Residents
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution supporting equity initiatives by public transportation agencies serving San Mateo County residents.
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BACKGROUND:
While the County does not directly provide public transportation services, it routinely engages with other public entities-like SamTrans, BART, and CalTrain-that provide such services to County residents.
These services are valuable to many County residents. They are of special importance to vulnerable communities within the County, including communities of color, low-income residents, people with disabilities, youth, seniors, and people experiencing homelessness. This is especially true when rising gas prices may cause increased reliance on alternative transportation options.
These entities have a number of affordability and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives currently underway, including the following:
? The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has implemented an "Equity Platform" to guide its work in reversing access disparities and dismantling systemic exclusion. Part of this work involves identifying certain census tracts as "Equity Priority Communities," meaning they have a significant concentration of underserved populations, including low-income households and people of color. Equity Priority Communities are among the most prominent factors in deciding where to direct public transit investment. MTC also coordinates discounts for low-income riders across the Clipper Card system.
? The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District has extensive equity and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives focused on procurement and hiring. BART also offers discounts for youth, seniors, people with disabiliti...
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