The VTA (Valley Transportation Authority) Board of Directors adopted a step forward to protect our local environment in South Bay. The board approved a Climate Emergency declaration approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on our roadways, and protecting local environments for our children and families. The VTA declaration is one of the first nationwide approach by any transit agency and aligned with their Climate Action Plan. The VTA administration is planning a Youth Summit to engage their youthful involvement to protect our environment.

The BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) agency implements schedule changes to improve services throughout the Bay Area including East Bay. The BART scheduling changes for passengers was effective Monday, February 10, 2020 for commuters to become aware of new service changes. The new schedule changes will impact weekday and weekend services for improvement, and some service lines will start early and/or later. Including additional trains for weekend services in East Bay to make it easier and convenient for passengers.

The Caltrain transit agency serving West Bay receives two first place awards from APTA (American Public Transportation Association). The identified two APTA first place awards for Caltrain is to recognize therein transit agency efforts in marketing and communications nationwide. It also acknowledges the transit agency's creativity and collaboration with various departments for innovative approaches. The Caltrain transit agency celebrated 150 years of transporting services in West Bay during 2014.

The SMART Board of Directors approved 50% discounts for eligible low-income passengers riding therein transit trains in North Bay. The SMART staff will provide planning information regarding low-income discounts for eligible passengers fees riding trains. The SMART discount fare program will be aligned with MTC (Metropolitan Transportation Commission) Clipper Start Program for low-income passengers. The SMART administration staff has been directed to work closely with MTC, regarding therein discount program for eligible low-income passengers.

The Caltrain transit agency is closing some services during weekends for improvement project construction. The weekend trains will operate and stops at Bayshore Station starting Saturday, February 22, 2020 for electrification construction. The trains will NOT run to 22nd Street and other San Francisco stations during therein tunnel construction work for electrifying project. The Caltrain improvement project construction will take six weekends and free shuttle buses will be in place to transport passengers when necessary.

The VTA (Valley Transportation Authority) transit agency successfully received $350,000 federal grant to fight human trafficking in South Bay. The FTA (Federal Transit Administration) awarded VTA with therein funding to train people about human trafficking awareness and reporting - 24 other transit agencies received grants. The VTA has been a strong advocacy transit agency for AB2034 (Assembly Bill 2034) to combat human trafficking in California. The AB2034 was enacted into law for ALL transit agencies in California to comply with human trafficking awareness and reporting.

The MTC (Metropolitan Transportation Commission) is partnering with Napa Valley companies to launch Napa Valley Forward commuter program in North Bay. It's a public-private partnership program to help improve commuting elements for employees and/or employers. The Napa Valley Forward initiative program is to help decrease traffic congestion along roadways in Napa Valley regional areas. The program will offer rewarding incentives for employees working in Napa Valley using carpooling, taking public transit, etc. to work everyday.

The WETA (Water Emergency Transportation Authority) transit agency is constructing the new ferry station at Seaplane Lagoon in Alameda for East Bay. The WETA Board of Directors approved therein ferry extension project to accommodate increasing ferry ridership. The ferry terminal is under construction at former Naval Air Station in Alameda and scheduled to complete during the middle of this year 2020. The WETA administration is working closely with Alameda City Council for therein ferry project support.

The state Caltrans agency is closing bikes/pedestrians pathway on Richmond-San Rafael Bridge for highway inspections - it's a federal requirement. It will be closed for five hours (9 AM - 2 PM) each weekday during the next three weeks starting today on Monday, January 27, 2020. The FHA (Federal Highway Administration) requires inspection of highway bridges during every two years and Caltrans state agency wants to comply. Therefore, Caltrans would like to complete therein bridge structural inspection before summertime.

The BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) agency is planning to improve bike stations along routes including Embarcadero Station. The BART repair crew will start modification work on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 for therein bicycle parking area. The Embarcadero Station in San Francisco will close the bicycle parking area for improvement repairs - reopens approximately during March 2020. The bike station improvement project will be done because of funding from a local initiative approval by voters.