Carquinez Bridge toll plaza. Photo: Mark Jones
Payment plan for low-income customers, penalty waivers for all bridges, Express Lanes
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)’s Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) today launched a public information campaign to raise travelers’ awareness of two new programs available through the Bay Area FasTrak® customer service center to help people with overdue tolls, penalties and fees get out of debt.
Bay Area FasTrak® now offers a payment plan program for individuals with outstanding toll debt whose household income is no more than 200 percent of the federal poverty level (about $60,000 for a family of four). The Bay Area Toll Payment Plan is open to all who have received toll violations on Bay Area bridges or express lanes. For those who qualify, violation penalties will be waived and any remaining balance of at least $100 can be paid off over time in the payment plan.
This program is intended to provide a way for people with overdue tolls, fees and penalties to get out of debt, and it is not limited to Bay Area residents.
Eligible participants may apply at the program website at bayareatollpaymentplan.org or by mailing or faxing a paper application. Both the website and the paper application are available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese.
To ensure those who are income eligible are aware of and have assistance applying for Bay Area Toll Payment Plan, BATA is conducting extensive outreach to social services and housing agencies, as well as to dozens of community-based organizations and other human services programs.
Photo: MTC.
BATA and partner toll agencies last month also began offering full or partial one-time violation penalty waivers that are available to all customers, regardless of income. BATA, the Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District and MTC’s Bay Area Infrastructure Financing Authority unit will waive all penalties associated with toll violations on their facilities on a one-time basis. The Alameda County Transportation Commission, the San Mateo County Express Lanes Joint Power Authority and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) each will waive one penalty per customer for toll violations on their Express Lane facilities.
The one-time penalty waivers will be available to customers through September 2024. To obtain a waiver or to find out if you have overdue toll violations, customers must call the Bay Area FasTrak® Customer Service center at 877-BAY-TOLL (877-229-8655) and pay all outstanding tolls and any DMV fees owed. Eligible customers who choose to enter into a payment plan must make their first payment to receive the penalty waiver.
MTC is the regional transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. BATA manages the Bay Area’s FasTrak electronic toll payment system and administers all toll revenue from the Bay Area’s seven state-owned toll bridges.
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To all bus stop pairs along Route 7
Riders traveling on Amtrak’s San Joaquins Route 7, the Thruway Bus route extending from the Martinez Amtrak Station to Arcata (Cal Poly Humboldt) and encompassing a total of 18 stops, can now purchase bus-only tickets for all city pairs along the route. This recent expansion of service significantly broadens the scope and connectivity of the bus top pairs previously available on Route 7.
This expansion along Route 7, which was approved by the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) Board of Directors at the July 21 meeting, represents the latest step in Amtrak San Joaquins’ efforts to provide a comprehensive transportation alternative to travelers in communities throughout the state, beyond where the train can service.
Historically, travelers on all Thruway Bus routes were required to have a segment of train travel as part of their overall trip to travel on the Thruway Bus. However, state legislation, SB 742 authored by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), was passed in 2019 to remove the requirement for intercity passenger rail/thruway bus services to sell companion rail tickets as a condition of the sale. As such, following extensive planning coordination, in 2021 after the impacts of the pandemic had eased, SJJPA opened parts of the Amtrak San Joaquins Route 7 as well as Routes 1c, 10, 18, and 19 for bus-only sales.
“We are pleased to now be at the point where we can expand connectivity along Route 7 to its fullest extent,” said Pat Hume, Chair for the SJJPA. “Fully opening Route 7 is a result of extensive collaboration with local stakeholders and regional transit providers and is a part of our ongoing effort to make Amtrak San Joaquins a comprehensive transportation solution for communities statewide.”
Snapshot of Amtrak San Joaquins Thruway Bus Route 7. Source: Amtrak
Making Amtrak’s Thruway bus routes available to non-rail riders brings several benefits including:
- Improved access to transit for priority and underserved communities.
- Reduction in greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions by diverting trips that would have previously been taken by an automobile.
- Reduced car trips on some of the state’s most congested freeways.
- Better utilization of current transit infrastructure.
Increased revenues for the state at virtually no additional cost.
The bus-only ticketing options and fares are now available in the following locations:
Route 7: Martinez – Napa – Santa Rosa – Humboldt State University – Arcata
Route 1C: Bakersfield – Van Nuys – West Los Angeles/UCLA – Santa Monica
Route 10: Santa Barbara – Bakersfield – Barstow – Las Vegas
Route 15: Merced – Yosemite & Fresno – Yosemite (seasonal)
Route 18: Hanford – Lemoore – San Luis Obispo – Santa Maria
Route 19: Bakersfield – Pasadena – Riverside – San Bernadino
Santa Rosa Bus Stop Relocation
Effective August 1, the Santa Rosa, CA, Thruway Bus stop currently located at 917 Edwards Avenue next to Dick’s Sporting Goods will move to:
Coddington Transit-Across from JC Penney – Santa Rosa, CA, 95401
Amtrak Santa Rosa Thruway Stop relocation map. Source: Amtrak
About the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA)
Since July 2015, SJJPA has been responsible for the management and administration of Amtrak San Joaquins. SJJPA is governed by Board Members representing each of the ten (10) Member Agencies along the 365-mile San Joaquins Corridor. For more information on SJJPA see www.sjjpa.com. Amtrak San Joaquins is Amtrak’s 6th busiest route with about 1 million annual riders and 18 stations providing a safe, comfortable and reliable way to travel throughout California. Prior to service modifications due to the COVID-19 crisis, Amtrak San Joaquins operated 7 daily train roundtrips and its Thruway buses provided connecting service to over 100 destinations in California and Nevada including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Napa Valley, Las Vegas and Reno. To book your next trip, visit www.AmtrakSanJoaquins.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.
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To kick off official Halloween-Themed National Night Out on Tuesday, October 3rd
National Night Out is celebrated by millions of neighbors across thousands of communities and enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Tomorrow we will have our National Night Out Kick-off Caravan event to kick off our official Halloween-Themed National Night Out on Tuesday, October 3rd. Please stay tuned for more details regarding this event!
If you are a part of a Neighborhood Watch group and would like us to visit during our caravan, please reach out to our Community Outreach Unit at nvaldepena@ci.pinole.ca.us or 510.741.3892
Read More
National Night Out is celebrated by millions of neighbors across thousands of communities and enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Join us in celebrating National Night Out on Tuesday, August 1st! See above for registered events in Oakley. We look forward to seeing you.
Read More
National Night Out is celebrated by millions of neighbors across thousands of communities and enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our Annual National Night Out police community event at Small World Park at 2551 Harbor Street on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 4pm – 8pm.
Read More
National Night Out is celebrated by millions of neighbors across thousands of communities and enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Come join us on Tuesday, August 1st for Clayton’s #NationalNightOut at the Clayton Community Park, starting at 6pm! There will be food trucks, music and fun.
Read More
National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Come join us Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at City Hall from 6pm-8pm for some food, music, demonstrations, face painting, giveaways, and much more!
Additionally, if you are holding a National Night Out event in your neighborhood and would like an officer to stop by, please email pmosher@pleasanthillca.org and we will try our best to come say hello to everyone.
Read More
Orinda Police Department is hosting the annual National Night Out event at our station this summer. Meet your neighbors, learn how to help fight crime, and have fun!
Tuesday, August 1, 2023 from 5–8 p.m.
Join us for an evening of community building over BBQ (hot dogs and hamburgers). If you bring a backpack or school supplies to donate, you’ll have the opportunity to dunk our Chief of Police in the dunk tank! All supplies will be donated to the Family Justice Center in Concord.
National Night Out is hosted by police departments across the nation in order to promote safer communities through knowing your neighbors and local police officers.
Learn more about Orinda’s Police Department: www.cityoforinda.org/173/Police-Department
Read More
Are you ready?! Tomorrow (August 1, 2023) is National Night Out! We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at the Martinez Marina downtown from 6-9pm. Bring the kids, relax and enjoy what looks to be a beautiful evening in our Marina. Here’s a link to register (it’s free!)
https://www.eventbrite.com/…/national-night-out-2023…
If you see us around, feel free to say hi! Can’t wait to see you all there!
Read More
Pre-registration is required
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.
From 6:00- 9:00 pm on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 neighborhoods throughout Danville and across the nation are asked to spend the evening outside with neighbors holding block parties, festivals, parades, ice cream socials and cookouts. Sign up and schedule a visit from Town of Danville Council Members, and Officers from the Danville Police Department.
Please contact 925-314-3717 with any questions. Pre-registration is required.
Read More
Carquinez Bridge toll plaza. Photo: Mark Jones
Payment plan for low-income customers, penalty waivers for all bridges, Express Lanes
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)’s Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) today launched a public information campaign to raise travelers’ awareness of two new programs available through the Bay Area FasTrak® customer service center to help people with overdue tolls, penalties and fees get out of debt.
Bay Area FasTrak® now offers a payment plan program for individuals with outstanding toll debt whose household income is no more than 200 percent of the federal poverty level (about $60,000 for a family of four). The Bay Area Toll Payment Plan is open to all who have received toll violations on Bay Area bridges or express lanes. For those who qualify, violation penalties will be waived and any remaining balance of at least $100 can be paid off over time in the payment plan.
This program is intended to provide a way for people with overdue tolls, fees and penalties to get out of debt, and it is not limited to Bay Area residents.
Eligible participants may apply at the program website at bayareatollpaymentplan.org or by mailing or faxing a paper application. Both the website and the paper application are available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese.
To ensure those who are income eligible are aware of and have assistance applying for Bay Area Toll Payment Plan, BATA is conducting extensive outreach to social services and housing agencies, as well as to dozens of community-based organizations and other human services programs.
Photo: MTC.
BATA and partner toll agencies last month also began offering full or partial one-time violation penalty waivers that are available to all customers, regardless of income. BATA, the Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District and MTC’s Bay Area Infrastructure Financing Authority unit will waive all penalties associated with toll violations on their facilities on a one-time basis. The Alameda County Transportation Commission, the San Mateo County Express Lanes Joint Power Authority and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) each will waive one penalty per customer for toll violations on their Express Lane facilities.
The one-time penalty waivers will be available to customers through September 2024. To obtain a waiver or to find out if you have overdue toll violations, customers must call the Bay Area FasTrak® Customer Service center at 877-BAY-TOLL (877-229-8655) and pay all outstanding tolls and any DMV fees owed. Eligible customers who choose to enter into a payment plan must make their first payment to receive the penalty waiver.
MTC is the regional transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. BATA manages the Bay Area’s FasTrak electronic toll payment system and administers all toll revenue from the Bay Area’s seven state-owned toll bridges.
Read More
To all bus stop pairs along Route 7
Riders traveling on Amtrak’s San Joaquins Route 7, the Thruway Bus route extending from the Martinez Amtrak Station to Arcata (Cal Poly Humboldt) and encompassing a total of 18 stops, can now purchase bus-only tickets for all city pairs along the route. This recent expansion of service significantly broadens the scope and connectivity of the bus top pairs previously available on Route 7.
This expansion along Route 7, which was approved by the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) Board of Directors at the July 21 meeting, represents the latest step in Amtrak San Joaquins’ efforts to provide a comprehensive transportation alternative to travelers in communities throughout the state, beyond where the train can service.
Historically, travelers on all Thruway Bus routes were required to have a segment of train travel as part of their overall trip to travel on the Thruway Bus. However, state legislation, SB 742 authored by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), was passed in 2019 to remove the requirement for intercity passenger rail/thruway bus services to sell companion rail tickets as a condition of the sale. As such, following extensive planning coordination, in 2021 after the impacts of the pandemic had eased, SJJPA opened parts of the Amtrak San Joaquins Route 7 as well as Routes 1c, 10, 18, and 19 for bus-only sales.
“We are pleased to now be at the point where we can expand connectivity along Route 7 to its fullest extent,” said Pat Hume, Chair for the SJJPA. “Fully opening Route 7 is a result of extensive collaboration with local stakeholders and regional transit providers and is a part of our ongoing effort to make Amtrak San Joaquins a comprehensive transportation solution for communities statewide.”
Snapshot of Amtrak San Joaquins Thruway Bus Route 7. Source: Amtrak
Making Amtrak’s Thruway bus routes available to non-rail riders brings several benefits including:
- Improved access to transit for priority and underserved communities.
- Reduction in greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions by diverting trips that would have previously been taken by an automobile.
- Reduced car trips on some of the state’s most congested freeways.
- Better utilization of current transit infrastructure.
Increased revenues for the state at virtually no additional cost.
The bus-only ticketing options and fares are now available in the following locations:
Route 7: Martinez – Napa – Santa Rosa – Humboldt State University – Arcata
Route 1C: Bakersfield – Van Nuys – West Los Angeles/UCLA – Santa Monica
Route 10: Santa Barbara – Bakersfield – Barstow – Las Vegas
Route 15: Merced – Yosemite & Fresno – Yosemite (seasonal)
Route 18: Hanford – Lemoore – San Luis Obispo – Santa Maria
Route 19: Bakersfield – Pasadena – Riverside – San Bernadino
Santa Rosa Bus Stop Relocation
Effective August 1, the Santa Rosa, CA, Thruway Bus stop currently located at 917 Edwards Avenue next to Dick’s Sporting Goods will move to:
Coddington Transit-Across from JC Penney – Santa Rosa, CA, 95401
Amtrak Santa Rosa Thruway Stop relocation map. Source: Amtrak
About the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA)
Since July 2015, SJJPA has been responsible for the management and administration of Amtrak San Joaquins. SJJPA is governed by Board Members representing each of the ten (10) Member Agencies along the 365-mile San Joaquins Corridor. For more information on SJJPA see www.sjjpa.com. Amtrak San Joaquins is Amtrak’s 6th busiest route with about 1 million annual riders and 18 stations providing a safe, comfortable and reliable way to travel throughout California. Prior to service modifications due to the COVID-19 crisis, Amtrak San Joaquins operated 7 daily train roundtrips and its Thruway buses provided connecting service to over 100 destinations in California and Nevada including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Napa Valley, Las Vegas and Reno. To book your next trip, visit www.AmtrakSanJoaquins.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.
Read More
To kick off official Halloween-Themed National Night Out on Tuesday, October 3rd
National Night Out is celebrated by millions of neighbors across thousands of communities and enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Tomorrow we will have our National Night Out Kick-off Caravan event to kick off our official Halloween-Themed National Night Out on Tuesday, October 3rd. Please stay tuned for more details regarding this event!
If you are a part of a Neighborhood Watch group and would like us to visit during our caravan, please reach out to our Community Outreach Unit at nvaldepena@ci.pinole.ca.us or 510.741.3892
Read More
National Night Out is celebrated by millions of neighbors across thousands of communities and enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Join us in celebrating National Night Out on Tuesday, August 1st! See above for registered events in Oakley. We look forward to seeing you.
Read More
National Night Out is celebrated by millions of neighbors across thousands of communities and enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our Annual National Night Out police community event at Small World Park at 2551 Harbor Street on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 4pm – 8pm.
Read More
National Night Out is celebrated by millions of neighbors across thousands of communities and enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Come join us on Tuesday, August 1st for Clayton’s #NationalNightOut at the Clayton Community Park, starting at 6pm! There will be food trucks, music and fun.
Read More
National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Come join us Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at City Hall from 6pm-8pm for some food, music, demonstrations, face painting, giveaways, and much more!
Additionally, if you are holding a National Night Out event in your neighborhood and would like an officer to stop by, please email pmosher@pleasanthillca.org and we will try our best to come say hello to everyone.
Read More
Orinda Police Department is hosting the annual National Night Out event at our station this summer. Meet your neighbors, learn how to help fight crime, and have fun!
Tuesday, August 1, 2023 from 5–8 p.m.
Join us for an evening of community building over BBQ (hot dogs and hamburgers). If you bring a backpack or school supplies to donate, you’ll have the opportunity to dunk our Chief of Police in the dunk tank! All supplies will be donated to the Family Justice Center in Concord.
National Night Out is hosted by police departments across the nation in order to promote safer communities through knowing your neighbors and local police officers.
Learn more about Orinda’s Police Department: www.cityoforinda.org/173/Police-Department
Read More
Are you ready?! Tomorrow (August 1, 2023) is National Night Out! We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at the Martinez Marina downtown from 6-9pm. Bring the kids, relax and enjoy what looks to be a beautiful evening in our Marina. Here’s a link to register (it’s free!)
https://www.eventbrite.com/…/national-night-out-2023…
If you see us around, feel free to say hi! Can’t wait to see you all there!
Read More
Pre-registration is required
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.
From 6:00- 9:00 pm on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 neighborhoods throughout Danville and across the nation are asked to spend the evening outside with neighbors holding block parties, festivals, parades, ice cream socials and cookouts. Sign up and schedule a visit from Town of Danville Council Members, and Officers from the Danville Police Department.
Please contact 925-314-3717 with any questions. Pre-registration is required.
Read More