Contra Costa Herald

Source: American Discovery Trail Society

By Ders Anderson, Open Lands

The American Discovery Trail Society announces its second annual trail challenge! In honor of the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day, June 1, the Challenge is an invite to anyone and everyone living near the 6800-mile American Discovery Trail. (See related article)

The goal of the Challenge is meant to be a personal one, a trail challenge that hikers, bicyclists, runners, baby stroller pushers, skaters, and wheel-chair users set for themselves. It could be…adding miles to their personal best so far. It could be…enlisting friends who don’t often exercise. It could be… the first time for a family hike. It could be… a distance hike-bike-or run relay with a group of friends. It could be…a first, really-long-distance hike, whether it’s 20, 50 or 500 miles.

Participants are asked to register at  https://discoverytrail.org/american-discovery-trail-home/trailchallenge/  where ADT trail access and route info, local trail agency contacts, and general trail use guidance will be available

Think…Outdoors…Healthy Exercise…Fresh Air…Inspiration…America’s Beautiful Landscapes…Participating in a national event with thousands of National Trail Day partners.

American Discovery Trail map. Source: ADT Society

California Trails

• Briones to Mount Diablo Regional Trail   https://www.ebparks.org/trails/interpark/briones-mt-diablo
• SCA Trail (Golden Gate)  https://www.parksconservancy.org/trails/sca-trailhttps://www.nps.gov/places/000/sca-trailhead.htm
• Coast Trail (Point Reyes)  https://www.nps.gov/places/point-reyes-coast-trailhead.htm
• Tahoe Rim Trail      https://tahoerimtrail.org/
• Forest Hill Divide Loop Trail     https://www.visitplacer.com/discover/foresthill-divide-loop-trail/

If you participate in the ADT Challenge, the American Discovery Trail Society will report back to the American Hiking Society on the level of participation in the ADT Challenge. National Trails Day (NTD) is an annual event that has been sponsored by the American Hiking Society (AHS) for the past 31 years. Your experience will be added to this years’ overall NTD national participation. In 2022, over 125,000 people participated in National Trails Day.

About ADT

The American Discovery Trail (ADT) is the nation’s first coast-to-coast, non-motorized recreation trail. The ADT was conceived in 1989 and initially led by the American Hiking Society. In 1996 the ADT Society (ADTS) was created and has been the prime advocate for the completing a continuous trail across the United States. The ADTS considers it the east-west “backbone” of our country’s national trails system, connecting to the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, East Coast Greenway Trail and 50 other national scenic, historic and recreational trails. In the Midwest, two options are possible: either thru Iowa and Nebraska, and northern Illinois and Indiana, or through Missouri and Kansas and southern Illinois and Indiana.

Payroll graphic source: CA State Auditor

Senator Glazer’s request leads to findings of workers cheated out of $63.9 million in past wages

Calls it a failure to act on behalf of workers

Report claims inadequate staffing, poor oversight have weakened protections for workers

SACRAMENTO – California Labor Commissioners have stood idly by as a massive backlog in wage theft cases piled up worth $63.9 million in lost wages to workers as its enforcement unit failed to enforce and collect wages in 76 percent of cases in which employers were found to owe wages, according to a report released Wednesday by Grant Parks, the California State Auditor.

The scathing audit came as a result of a March 2023 request through the Joint Legislative Audit Committee by Senator Steve Glazer, D-Contra Costa, and Assemblyman David Alvarez, D-San Diego. It was based on news reports about the lack of wage theft enforcement.

Parks reported his findings to the Governor, President pro Tempore of the Senate and Speaker of the Assembly about the “Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, also known as the Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO).” Lilia García-Brower is the current state Labor Commissioner and was appointed to the position by Governor Newsom in July 2019. Neither her name or photo appears on the website for the Labor Commissioner’s Office. Ironically, according to the agency’s website, “The mission of the LCO is to ensure a just day’s pay in every workplace in the State and to promote economic justice through robust enforcement of labor laws. By combating wage theft, protecting workers from retaliation, and educating the public, we put earned wages into workers’ pockets and help level the playing field for law-abiding employers.”

The audit “reviewed the backlog of wage claims submitted by workers from fiscal years 2017–18 through 2022–23, and determined that the LCO is not providing timely adjudication of wage claims for workers primarily because of insufficient staffing to process those claims.”

Furthermore, the state Auditor reported, “In addition to its delays in processing wage claims, the LCO has not been successful in collecting judgments from employers. A possible factor contributing to its low collection rate is that the Enforcement Unit does not consistently use all of the methods available to it for collecting payments owed to workers.”

Senator Glazer released this statement on the audit’s findings:

“The California State Auditor’s report makes clear that our State Labor Commissioner is a toothless enforcer of our wage theft laws. This deeply troubling assessment exposes a system that has fundamentally failed the workers it is supposed to protect. According to the auditor, there is a backlog of 47,000 claims registered on June 30, 2023. This is a state embarrassment and a stain on the department that workers depend on for justice.

The report also highlights an alarming increase in the average number of days to resolve claims, which has skyrocketed from 420 days in 2017/18 to an astounding 890 days in 2022/23. This drastic decline in efficiency is not just a statistic; it represents thousands of workers enduring prolonged injustice and financial hardship.

This lack of enforcement emboldens companies to exploit workers, knowing they can likely escape any real consequences, thus perpetuating and increasing further abuse. These findings paint a grim picture of an agency overwhelmed and ineffective, leaving workers vulnerable and without recourse. Immediate and decisive action to restore integrity and effectiveness to the Labor Commissioner’s office is needed. The workers of California deserve nothing less than a robust system that ensures timely and fair resolution of wage theft claims.”

The report can be found here: www.auditor.ca.gov/reports/the-california-labor-commissioners-office/

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Anamarie Avila Farias (official campaign photo) and Governor Gavin Newsom during a visit to the construction site of the Antioch brackish water desalination plant in Aug. 2022. Herald file photo

MARTINEZ, CA—District 15 State Assembly candidate Anamarie Avila Farias today announced the endorsement of California Governor Gavin Newsom for her campaign to represent portions of Contra Costa County in the State Legislature.

“Anamarie’s experience and dedication to her community, to progress on the challenges facing our state, and her commitment to charting a fundamentally strong future for all Californians make her the best candidate for State Assembly,” said Governor Newsom. “I’m proud of the work she’s done as an appointee of mine on the California Housing Finance Agency and look forward to working with her when she’s elected to the Assembly in November.”

“Under Governor Newsom’s leadership, California has been in great hands,” said Anamarie. “I’m proud to have served in his administration at the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development of the City and County of San Francisco and as a Gubernatorial Appointee on the California Housing Finance Agency Board while he’s been governor.

“In the Assembly, I’ll seek to partner with him on bold policies to tackle housing, education, homelessness, and climate challenges,” she added.

Avila Farias placed second in the March Primary election behind her Republican opponent Sonia Ledo, but the top vote-getter in a field of three Democrats. Democratic voters outnumber Republicans 52%-19% in District 15’s registration numbers.

She currently serves as Area 3 Trustee on the Contra Costa County Board of Education where her focus is on quality education in Contra Costa public schools. The candidate touts her extensive record serving her community, including as a Martinez Councilwoman and in setting state policy.

Avila Farias is running to represent California State Assembly District 15. The district encompasses Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Clayton, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Antioch, Crockett most of Brentwood and unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County.

For more information about her campaign visit www.anamarie4assembly.com.

Source: American Hiking Society

32nd annual event brings communities together outdoors to celebrate and give back to trails

Take the 2024 National Trails Day® Pledge by June 8 to be entered to win premium gear prize packs.

East Bay Regional Parks District offers variety of trails to hike

By American Hiking Society

The nationwide celebration of National Trails Day^® on Saturday June 1, 2024, will bring together people from across the country, Puerto Rico, and beyond, to celebrate, enjoy, and give back to the trails. American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day^®, is an annual event aimed at advocacy, trail service, and encouraging local communities to connect in the outdoors.

Trail users, including hikers, cyclists, horseback riders, paddlers, trail clubs, federal and local agencies, and various organizations, unite on National Trails Day® to improve the trails and outdoor community. This is accomplished through collective efforts toward advocating for, maintaining, cleaning up, and celebrating trails and nature. By working together, this diverse coalition can ensure that these outdoor spaces remain accessible, safe, and enjoyable for everyone now and in the future.

Source: American Hiking Society

National Trails Day® is an event that people of all ages, abilities, and lifestyles can celebrate by participating in a local trail event. Participants can also take the National Trails Day® pledge to commit to leaving the trails and the outdoor community better than they found them. Additionally, individuals can share their trail experience by tagging #NationalTrailsDay and @AmericanHiking on social media.

Last year, more than 700 sites across the U.S. brought people together for various recreational and volunteer opportunities. More than 7,044 trail volunteers built and maintained more than 558 miles of trails as part of the festivities.

The East Bay Regional Park District offers multiple trails to hike this Saturday. See list, locations and maps, here: www.ebparks.org/trails.

“National Trails Day® provides a unique opportunity to bring community members of all walks of life together in the outdoors, all with a common goal of enjoying nature and preserving it,” said Heather Klein Olson, Executive Director of American Hiking Society. “This is our 32nd annual celebration of National Trails Day®, and it’s incredible to see how the trails unite us and remind us of the power of our collective action and passion. Spending time on the trails offers us time to reflect on nature’s positive impact on our physical and mental well-being and the positive impact we can have on it, too. This annual event reminds us to appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors and commit to doing our part to protect it for generations to come.”

2024 National Trails Day® Pledge

“In honor of #NationalTrailsDay, I’ll leave the trails and the outdoor community better than I found them.” Take the pledge by June 8 to be entered to win premium gear prize packs.

Source: American Hiking Society

Corporate & Federal Sponsors

American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day^® is made possible by the generous support of Corporate Sponsors – Exclusive Beer Sponsor Athletic Brewing, Aflac, AKHG by Duluth Trading Company, REI, Osprey Packs, Fjallraven, GORE-TEX Brand, Zevo Insect, and GOES Health. Federal Partners include: National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau Of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Federal Highway Administration.

Founded in 1976, American Hiking Society is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering all to enjoy, share, and preserve the hiking experience.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Source: FBI

Unveiling the top 10 U.S. states with highest cybercrime losses last year

By CyberNut

Cybercrime surged to unprecedented levels in 2023, resulting in over $12.5 billion in losses across the United States. Discover which states suffered the most significant financial impacts and delve into the factors driving these staggering losses in our comprehensive analysis.

• California ranks #1 among states that experienced cybercrime loss
• California lost around $2.16 billion in 2023. due to cybercrimes
• California alone accounted for approximately 17.3% of the total cybercrime losses in the U.S. in 2023

Cybercrime has become a growing threat to businesses, schools, and individuals all over the United States, with more than $12.5 billion in potential losses incurred in the last year alone. But some states are bearing the brunt of the financial losses – is your state one of them?

“This can be attributed to the state’s large population (the largest in the U.S.), thriving tech industry, and high concentration of affluent individuals and businesses, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals,” notes Oliver Page, CEO of CyberNut.

Photo by Kaur Kristjan on Unsplash

Page delves into the top ten U.S. states that experienced the highest cybercrime losses in 2023, exploring the potential reasons behind these staggering figures.

10. Washington

Washington’s thriving tech industry makes it a prime target for cybercriminals. Oliver Page says, ‘With major tech companies like Microsoft and Amazon headquartered here, the state holds vast amounts of valuable data.’ Attacks on these giants and smaller businesses contributed to the state’s losses in 2023, which amounted to over $288 million.

9. Georgia 

Atlanta’s status as a significant financial hub plays a role in Georgia’s cybercrime losses, which reached over $300 million last year. Oliver Page notes, ‘The state houses numerous banks and financial institutions, attracting cybercriminals seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in the financial sector.’

8. Arizona

Arizona’s growing population and businesses make it susceptible to cyber threats. Small to medium-sized companies, often with fewer cybersecurity resources, become easy targets. The state’s focus on healthcare and education makes it a prime target for ransomware attacks.

Arizona lost over $320 million to cybercrimes last year.

7. Illinois 

Illinois, particularly Chicago, is a center for business and commerce. The state’s diverse economy, including finance, healthcare, and manufacturing, offers cybercriminals a variety of lucrative targets. Cybercrimes in Illinois in 2023 reached over $335 million.

6. Pennsylvania 

‘Pennsylvania’s large number of healthcare providers and insurance companies make it a prime target for data breaches,’ said Oliver Page. Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in these sectors to steal sensitive information, leading to significant financial losses. In 2023, these losses amounted to some $360 million.

5. New Jersey

New Jersey, in fifth place, experienced over $441 million in cybercrime losses, potentially due to its proximity to New York and its own thriving financial and pharmaceutical sectors.

4. New York

Oliver Page says, ‘New York, the fourth-highest state, suffered nearly $750 million in losses, reflecting its status as a global financial hub and the presence of numerous high-profile companies and organizations, all of whom are a prime target for cybercriminals.’

3. Florida 

Florida ranks third, with nearly $875 million suffered in cybercrime losses. ‘The state’s reliance on tourism, real estate, and financial services, as well as its large elderly population, make it vulnerable to scams and data breaches,’ Oliver Page says.

2. Texas 

The state of Texas comes in second with over $1.02 billion in losses, likely due to its large population, diverse economy, and significant presence in industries like energy, finance, and healthcare, all of which are prime targets for cyberattacks.

1. California 

California tops the list as the state with the highest cybercrime losses in 2023, reaching a staggering amount of nearly $2.16 billion.

Oliver Page notes, ‘This can be attributed to the state’s large population (the largest in the U.S.), thriving tech industry, and high concentration of affluent individuals and businesses, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals.’

Cybercrime’s Devastating Impact

These staggering cybercrime losses have a significant impact on the overall economy and financial system. Oliver Page says, ‘The theft of sensitive data, financial fraud, and disruption of critical infrastructure can lead to decreased consumer confidence, higher insurance premiums, and increased costs in every area for businesses and individuals.’

To mitigate these risks, businesses, organizations, and individuals in these high-risk states should implement robust cybersecurity measures, such as:

• Regularly updating software and systems to address known vulnerabilities.
• Implementing strong access controls, including multi-factor authentication and password management.
• Providing comprehensive cybersecurity training for employees to recognize and respond to phishing attempts and other social engineering tactics.
• Regularly backing up data and testing incident response plans to ensure business continuity in the event of a breach.
• Cyber insurance should be considered to transfer some of the financial risk associated with cyber threats.

About CyberNut

CyberNut is a security awareness training solution built exclusively for schools. CyberNut’s automated campaigns train your school’s faculty, staff, & students to recognize and report the phishing emails and deep fake Al scams that are targeting your school district, making CyberNut the easiest and the most painless security awareness training solution to implement and manage for school IT departments.

Methodology

The data on U.S. states with the highest cybercrime losses is taken from the FBI’s Internet Crime Report 2023, Page 25 (https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2023_IC3Report.pdf).  After collecting the data, we ranked it based on the highest losses to the respective state. The total amount of money lost ($12.5 billion) was taken from the same report.

Dr. Pamela Tin, Saratoga Vice Mayor Marilyn Librers, Alex Fang, Nicholas Kwan, East Palo Alto Mayor Antonio Lopez, Victor Wang, James Chau, Saratoga Mayor Yan Zhao, Oakley Mayor Anissa Williams, Alan Wong, San Carlos Mayor John Dugan, Betty Chan, Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe. Photo by CSUEF

Met with the China-United States Exchange Foundation, an NGO closely collaborating with the Chinese government

Paid for by Palo Alto-based nonprofit

By Danielle Navarro, Assistant City Manager, City of Oakley

Oakley, CA – Mayor Anissa Williams has successfully concluded a productive visit to Chongqing, China, aimed at fostering international cooperation and exploring new opportunities for economic and sustainable development. During the trip, the mayor attended several key meetings and events, reinforcing the city’s commitment to global partnerships, educational opportunities, and green city initiatives.

She was one of five mayors and one vice mayor from the Bay Area who participated in a global meeting of city leaders on May 22 and 23. They included Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe of Antioch, Antonio Lopez of East Palo Alto, John Dugan of San Carlos, Yan Zhao of Saratoga and Vice Mayor Marilyn Librers of Morgan Hill on her 38th visit to China. During Monday’s annual Antioch Memorial Day Ceremony, Hernandez-Thorpe pointed out that unlike him, the mayors in China whom they met with were appointed by the Chinese Communist Party. Then, during the Antioch City Council meeting Tuesday night, May 28, 2024, he said, “I was very proud to be the mayor and represent this city, absolutely proud. You sometimes forget how great this city is.” Hernandez-Thorpe then added he will present his remarks about the trip in a different way.

The elected officials were welcomed to Hong Kong on May 20, 2024. CUSEF’s President James Chau, Governor Alan Wong, and Governor Alex Fang who was raised between Hong Kong and Silicon Valley, met with the mayors. The delegation was organized by Victor Wang, founder and chairman of China Silicon Valley, a Palo Alto-based nonprofit founded in 2012, which paid for the trip. The organization was formed to improve business cooperation, create jobs, increase economic activity, facilitate investment and international trade and promote communications between China and the larger Silicon Valley region.

Reflecting the shared nature of the San Francisco Bay and the Greater Bay, the meetings centered on the hopes and concerns of the 95 million people living in both areas, including issues relating to economic growth, technology, and investment, as well as education, housing, and environmental resources.

Meetings and Collaborations

Williams and the others in the delegation met with the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), an NGO closely collaborating with the Chinese government to enhance bilateral relations. The discussions focused on mutual cooperation and the benefits of cultural and economic exchanges between the two countries. In a strategic meeting with Invest HK, a government entity promoting investment in Hong Kong, the mayor explored avenues for facilitating business relationships between Hong Kong enterprises and the US. The discussions highlighted opportunities for businesses in the food and beverage, fashion, and logistics sectors to establish a footprint in the US, enhancing cross-country economic ties. Mayor Williams also engaged with various businesses from China, with a special focus on startups and green technology seeking expansion into the U.S. market, emphasizing Oakley’s welcoming environment for international investments and its strategic advantages as a business hub.

“We are delighted to welcome the mayors to Hong Kong, the first stop on their visit to China,” said CUSEF’s Chau after the delegation’s arrival. “Silicon Valley drives the world’s fifth largest economy and accelerates California’s reputation for knowledge, learning, and research. Today was an opportunity to exchange ideas and align values with the elected representatives of a dynamic and globally renowned community. CUSEF works with everyone who cares about the U.S. and China, and their proven track record for advancing the human condition.”

Industry Matchmaking and Sustainable Development

The mayor participated in an industry matchmaking event designed to link top industries in Chongqing with city leaders from around the world. This event featured representatives from various global cities, fostering an exchange of innovative ideas and best practices for future development projects, particularly in green city development. During the visit, Mayor Williams delivered a speech highlighting the unique opportunities that Oakley offers and stressed the importance of maintaining our delta lifestyle while building resilient and inclusive cities. She quoted, “As long as you are an official in a place, you need to create benefits for that place and its people,” a guiding principle she has followed during her term.

Strengthening Sister City Relationships

The importance of establishing sister city relationships with China was emphasized by Secretary Blinken, who noted that the two countries share the world’s largest economies. This visit to Chongqing marks a significant step in deepening Oakley’s international partnerships and advancing our agenda for sustainable and inclusive growth. Should we enter a sister city relationship, our youth will have incredible opportunities for participating in both cultural and educational exchanges.

The outcomes of this trip are expected to yield long-term benefits, fostering economic development, educational growth, and a deeper understanding of the cultures of our two countries.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Neighborhood residents ordered to shelter in place for a few hours

Suspect held on $150,000 bail; has previous arrests for drug charges, DUI’s

By Sgt. Scott Smith, Concord Police Major Crimes Unit

On Monday, May 27, 2024, at 6:08pm, the Concord Police Department’s Dispatch Center received a call from a Concord resident reporting that a man she recognized from the neighborhood, later identified as 47-year-old Christian Alexander Stuart (born 10/8/76), had forced his way into her home on Rosebrook Court. She advised Stuart was armed with a handgun and she was home with three young children. Stuart waved his firearm around and pointed his firearm at the adult victim and one of the children. The adult victim was able to distract Stuart in a way that allowed all of them to escape outside. Officers quickly arrived, got the victims to safety, surrounded the residence, and deployed a drone. Officers heard several gunshots coming from inside the home.

A shelter-in-place order for the neighborhood was issued on X (formerly Twittter): “Concord PD is requesting residents in the area south of Cowell Road, from Saint Francis Dr to Ridge Park Dr, to shelter in place. There is heavy police activity on Saint Francis Dr.  If you see anything suspicious or unusual, please call 911 or 925-671-3333.”

Source: Concord PD

After a couple hours, Stuart exited the residence holding the firearm. He was safely taken into custody. No one was injured during the incident. Several bullet impacts were located inside the residence as well as evidence of a small fire. Stuart told officers he entered the victim’s home because he was being followed by several armed subjects. A thorough investigation was conducted and no evidence was located to support Stuart’s statement.

Stuart was arrested per 245(a)(2) PC – Assault with a Deadly Weapon, 451 PC – Arson, 246.3 PC – Negligent Discharge of a Firearm, 25850(c)(6) PC – Carry a Loaded and Unregistered Firearm, and 273.5A – Cruelty to Child. He was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the five-feet, five-inch tall, 165-pound Stuart is being held on $150,000 bail.

According to localcrimenews.com, he was also arrested in 2016 by Concord Police for planting and/or cultivating marijuana and/or hashish, in April 2010 and, again in October 2010 by Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies for DUI.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Photos: Kaiser Permanente

Named to 2024 Cal Hospital Compare Patient Safety Honor Roll for having a strong culture of safety

By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California 

With a commitment to providing high-quality, safe patient care, Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center has been named to the Cal Hospital Compare 2024 Patient Safety Honor Roll.

The honor roll uses objective, publicly available patient safety measures to evaluate hospitals across a variety of domains, including hospital-acquired infections, adverse patient safety events, sepsis management, patient experience, and the Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Grade.

This year, 72 of the state’s 306 adult, acute-care hospitals made the honor roll. Kaiser Permanente Northern California had 10 hospitals on the list – representing 14% of the hospitals recognized.

“The safety of our patients is our top priority,” said Pam Galley, senior vice president and area of Kaiser Permanente’s Diablo service area. “Our health care providers work hard to create a safe, exceptional patient-care experience.”

Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals are consistently recognized as among the country’s best for outstanding patient safety, positive care outcomes, and exceptional patient-care experiences.

“We are committed to providing excellent personalized care while keeping our patients safe from harm,” said Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center Physician in Chief Sharon Mowat, MD. “We are very grateful for our extraordinary physicians, nurses and staff members who make a difference every day.”

Hospitals on the honor roll had to meet a rigorous threshold of performance by having at least two-thirds of measure results above the 50th percentile and no measure result below the 10th percentile and/or an “A” grade in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for the past three reporting periods.

This honor roll offers Californians a rigorously evaluated list of hospitals that have consistently demonstrated a strong culture of safety across multiple departments, according to Cal Hospital Compare.

First commitments spur near-term projects to improve bus, light rail service

County Connection’s routes in Concord’s Monument Corridor will benefit from more reliable service, reduced travel times

By John Goodwin, Assistant Director of Communications and Khristina Wenzinger, Principal, Public Information, Legislation & Public Affairs, Metropolitan Transportation Commission

SAN FRANCISCO – The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) last week approved an $18.3 million allocation to fund eight near-term transit priority projects in Concord, other East Bay cities, San Jose, San Francisco and Redwood City. These investments are the first to be made through the $30 million Bus Accelerated Infrastructure Delivery (BusAID) program established as part of the Bay Area Transit Transformation Action Plan to implement quick-build solutions designed to improve service at problem ‘hotspot’ locations identified by transit agencies throughout the region.

What Does Transit Transformation Mean?

• Design, adequately invest in and effectively manage a public transit network that is equitable, inclusive, frequent, affordable, accessible and reliable.
• Integrate with unified service, fares, schedules, customer information and identity.
• Serve all Bay Area populations, resulting in increased transit ridership and reduced growth in vehicle miles traveled.

The Action Plan aims to improve the Bay Area’s public transportation network to create a more user-friendly and connected system. It identifies key targets and actions to make this vision a reality.

Map of County Connection’s routes in the Monument Corridor. Source: Central Contra Costa Transit Authority

Approved Projects

Each of the eight approved projects is slated for completion in the next one to three years:

• Monument Corridor Transit Speed Improvements (Concord): This project will transit priority signals along Monument Boulevard between Detroit Avenue and Mohr Lane, and will relocate and reconfigure bus stops to improve efficiency and accessibility. County Connection routes 11, 14, 16, 311, 314, 611, 613, 616 and 619 will benefit from more reliable service and reduced travel times.(See pages 5-2 & 5-3 of the Monument Corridor Community-Based Transportation Final Plan)
• Park Street Transit Signal Priority and Signal Optimization (Alameda): this project will install transit signal priority and optimize signal timing at four intersections along Park Street from Alameda Avenue to Otis Drive, reducing delays for AC Transit routes 20, 21, OX and 663.
• International Boulevard Transit Lane Delineation (Oakland): this project will reduce delays for AC Transit’s Tempo (1T) line, reduce speeding by drivers on non-transit vehicles and improve corridor safety between 14^th Avenue and 42nd Avenue through the installation of vertical treatments to separate the existing bus lanes from general purpose lanes, and by painting the bus lanes red to deter non-transit vehicles from using the bus lanes.
• El Camino Real Bus Boarding Islands & Bus Stop Balancing (Redwood City): To reduce delay for SamTrans routes ECR, 79, 270, 278, 295, 296, 2960 and 397, this project will fund the planning and design of bus boarding islands at stops along El Camino Real between Whipple Avenue and Dumbarton Avenue in Redwood City and unincorporated North Fair Oaks.
• K-Ingleside Rapid Project Ocean Avenue Quick Build (San Francisco): Spanning Ocean Avenue from Junipero Serra Blvd. to Geneva Avenue, this project will increase service reliability and reduce travel times for Muni’s K-Ingleside light rail line by installing longer and wider boarding islands, adding red transit lanes, and implementing signal timing refinements and turn restrictions.
• VTA Frequent Network Cloud-Based Transit Signal Priority (San Jose): This project will install next-generation transit signal priority at 174 intersections along VTA’s Frequent Network in San Jose, reducing delays for numerous bus routes, including 25, 26, 61, 64A, 64B, 70, 71, 72, 73, 77 and 500.
• Vision Zero Senter Road East San Jose Safety Corridor Project (San Jose): This project will reduce delays for VTA routes 70, 72 and 73 by installing bus boarding islands along Senter Road between Story Road and Monterey Road.
• Alvarado-Niles Road Part-Time Transit Lane Pilot (Union City): To reduce congestion-related delays for AC Transit route 97 and Union City Transit routes 1, 3 and 5, this project will install for a two-year pilot period a part-time transit lane along Alvarado-Niles Road from Decoto Road to Almaden Boulevard, providing buses with a dedicated lane during hours with peak traffic congestion.

MTC approved funding for these projects at its regularly scheduled May meeting, after each had been endorsed last month by the multi-agency Regional Network Management Council. Project recommendations were developed based on a two-stage screening process that evaluated potential rider benefits (time savings), equity considerations, and feasibility and readiness. Each project will include pre- and post-implementation evaluation to quantify project benefits. The remaining balance of $12 million in BusAID funding will be used for future funding rounds, when additional projects are identified and ready for implementation.

MTC is the transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. Caltrans owns and operates the state highway system.

Allen D. Payton contribute to this report.