Patrick Gilster

This document outlines the SMCTA Peninsula Shuttle Program Optimization & Funding Strategy, developed to address significant challenges such as post-COVID ridership, funding uncertainty, and escalating operational costs. The strategy aims to foster a shared understanding of shuttle services, establish sustainable funding mechanisms, and provide service recommendations to support the program's operations from Fiscal Year 2028 to 2034. Key priorities include maintaining connectivity, equity, and ridership within San Mateo County, while overcoming projected funding deficits and ensuring the long-term viability of the shuttle system.

The 2026 Legislative Program for the San Mateo County Transportation Authority establishes guiding principles for legislative and regulatory advocacy through the 2026 calendar year. It focuses on three primary objectives: maintaining and enhancing funding opportunities for agency projects, seeking a streamlined regulatory environment for project delivery, and reinforcing programs that promote public transportation ridership and safe, quality transportation choices. The program aims to enable the Agency to meet the county's most critical transportation demands effectively.

This document outlines the Peninsula Shuttle Program Optimization and Funding Strategy, initiated by the San Mateo County Transportation Authority in collaboration with C/CAG, Commute.org, and SamTrans. The strategy addresses challenges such as lower ridership, constrained funding, and rising operational costs in the post-pandemic environment. Its primary goals include evaluating existing shuttle route performance, defining and prioritizing program objectives, assessing future funding against identified needs, aligning financial commitments with operational strategies, and building stakeholder consensus for an implementable plan. The intended outcome is to establish an approved set of routes for the Fiscal Years 2028-2033, focusing on improving connectivity, maximizing ridership, and enhancing equity for transit-reliant populations.

The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting agenda included several key actions and informational items related to the Transportation Authority (TA) Board of Directors business. Action items involved the election of the 2026 Chair and Vice Chair, and the approval of the previous month's minutes. Financial matters required action, specifically receiving the Quarterly Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2026 Quarter 2 Results and the Quarterly Investment Report. The committee also addressed updating the Strategic Plan 2025-29 to revise Grade Separation Program Policies and Funding Strategy. Informational items covered updates on the 101 Corridor Connect South County Multimodal Strategy, the Countywide Transportation Plan Update, a Brand Refresh Update, the US 101 Crossings Improvement Implementation Plan Update, and a Legislative Update. A discussion on Senate Bill 707 regarding remote meeting rules and the allocation of Measure A and Measure W Highway Program Funds for various projects were also key discussion points.

This Guidebook for San Mateo County identifies key issues facing the shuttle program and develops best practice strategies to improve coordination. It focuses on four main areas: Planning, Funding, Operations/Administration, and Marketing/Public Information. The plan aims to provide a framework for implementing these strategies, ensuring consistent countywide planning, streamlining funding processes, exploring opportunities to consolidate responsibilities, and enhancing regional transportation information.