The fee increase for passengers is a typical approach in two to three years for SamTrans Transit services in San Mateo County. Increasing fees for adults will be $2.25 starting January 2016, and Clipper Card customers will get a 10% discount and youth passengers can qualify for youth discount. The youth discount is part of an extension program for youth passengers taking transit services within San Mateo County.

Fuel tax revenues for transportation in San Francisco Bay Area and statewide is showing limits of funding, and state legislatures are proposing tax and car registration increase. Some people shared possible ideas during public hearings including drivers to pay-by-mileage during their driving on bay area roadways and freeways. The state and regional transportation commissions have been sharing some ways, to support regional public transportation systems during public hearings.

San Francisco Bay Area has been moving forward with ways and means of protecting our natural environment, regarding transportation elements within local bay area communities. Emerging electric vehicles (EVs) within San Francisco Bay Area on roads and freeways is part of the effort, and MTC (Metropolitan Transportation Commission) is having free public EV car drive testing sessions. The next free public EV car driving test is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, November 23 and 24, 2015 at Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco.

Local municipal cities in San Francisco Bay Area are making transportation ways to support and protect local environment. The City of Oakland, California, is processing it's municipal fleet vehicles from petroleum diesel to renewable diesel for protection of environment in San Francisco Bay Area. The city administrators provided Neste's NEXBTL renewable diesel supplied by Golden Gate Petroleum, for city transportation vehicles reducing greenhouse and tailpipe gas emissions.

San Francisco Bay Area traffic congestion is becoming old news to local municipal structures and neighboring communities. Leading many local municipal governance infrastructures to look for answers and resolutions, because local population growth in San Francisco Bay Area communities come with transportation needs. Marin County is working closely with local cities for long-term answers to provide necessary transportation needs for local residents.

SFMTA (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency) hosted members of APTA (American Public Transportation Association) for their annual meeting in San Francisco earlier this month. The conference included educational and financial illustrations for support of public transportation locally and nationwide. Including a 25th year anniversary for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) celebrating public transportation services and accomplishments.

A preliminary plan has been addressed and reached between three major parties involved with the new arena for NBA Champions Golden State Warriors in San Francisco. The new arena proposal involves discussion with community and business leaders regarding traffic congestion and public transportation necessary within neighboring areas. The local communities were able to share transportation and traffic matters with San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, UCSF Administration, and Golden State Warriors.

Interesting findings during the oversight committee meeting in Sacramento later part of last month at California Department of Transportation. The oversight committee for San Francisco Bay Bridge development has unanimously agreed to fine contractors for lack of quality services with legendary bay area bridge. Some people feel public safety is questionable especially with bolts and anchoring deficient problems on the bay bridge. Despite the contractor penalties, committee members are suggesting and leaving open the fact of who should pay for corrective action.

As we posted previously about transportation in San Francisco Bay Area comes in many types of ways and means of support. Ferry services to travel across the bay area has been increasing at nearly 53% since 2012 and needs more financial support because of ridership increase. Some ferry boats must have backup shuttle buses for passengers missing the boat and needs traveling across San Francisco Bay Area. The Bay Area ferry services has been transporting two million passengers across the bay every year to terminals in Oakland, San Francisco, Alameda, South San Francisco, and Vallejo.

The California State Department of Transportation (Caltrans) have been working on improvement projects for San Francisco Bay Area highways and local roadways. Another Caltrans roadway project is within southern San Francisco Bay Area in Santa Clara County along Highway 9 and Highway 35. Construction project is ongoing to provide local residents with retaining walls and improving existing roadway lanes for motorists and bicyclists.