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Attachment 1 - Draft Resolution1 of 4 Resolution 20 - Council Meeting 12/07/21 RESOLUTION 20 -xx RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS SUPPORTING SEAMLESS TRANSIT PRINCIPLES WHEREAS, the San Francisco Bay Area, despite being an exceptional place to live, faces an uncertain future due to several interrelated crises -- decreasing housing affordability, increasing congestion, rising pollution, widening inequality, and the recent COVID-19 public health crisis – all of which are exacerbated by an inadequate and poorly-performing public transportation system; WHEREAS, despite billions of dollars of investments in new transportation infrastructure over the past five decades, public transit in the Bay Area has failed to attract large numbers of new riders, and has never been used by more than 12% of the population for commute trips since 1970; by contrast automobiles have always been used for over 75% of commute trips; WHEREAS, The quality of and usage of public transit in the Bay Area has declined in recent years, with transit trips per capita declining by 10%, average bus speeds declining by 9%, and transit commute times increasing by 11% between 2001 and 2016; WHEREAS, the California Air Resources Board reported in 2018 that no California regions, including the Bay Area, are on track to meet their greenhouse gas reduction targets, with increasing Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) and declines in transit ridership cited as a primary factors; WHEREAS, using public transit in the Bay Area is inconvenient and costly for many types of trips, requiring riders to: use multiple transit systems operated independently with little coordination; pay multiple separate fares; experience unpredictable transfers; and navigate different wayfinding systems and brand identities; WHEREAS, low income people, many of whom have experienced displacement and have long commutes requiring multiple transit services, are among the most adversely affected the Bay Area’s poorly integrated public transportation system, experiencing a significant financial burden from needing to pay multiple separate transit fares or being forced into costly vehicle ownership; ATTACHMENT 1 2 of 4 Resolution 20 - Council Meeting 12/07/21 WHEREAS, regions with high-ridership public transportation systems are, by contrast, characterized by highly integrated networks of quality local and regional transit services that make traveling without a private automobile convenient and easy for all types of trips, featuring aligned routes and schedules, coordinated transfers, high quality transit hubs, common branding and customer information, and other common regional customer experience standards. WHEREAS, regions that have successfully integrated and simplified transit fares have experienced many broad social benefits, including a shift in travel from private cars to public transit, an increase in overall public transit usage, and expanded mobility options and cost savings for riders. WHEREAS, a well-functioning and coordinated transit system plays a critical role in supporting public health and safety during an emergency, with 31% of Bay Area essential workers relying off public transit to get to work. It also plays a critical role in supporting an economic recovery. During and in the aftermath of major disruptions to our transit system, close coordination among agencies facilitates prioritization of the most critical needs, efficient deployment of resources, and clear communication to customers. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: The Town Los Gatos affirms its commitment to working collaboratively with State agencies, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and other municipalities and public agencies to develop a highly integrated regional transportation system that provides convenient, seamless, and affordable transit for customers. The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos supports the Seamless Transit Principles listed in Attachment A, and agrees for the Town to be publicly listed as a supporter. 3 of 4 Resolution 20 - Council Meeting 12/07/21 PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos, California, held on the 7th day of December, 2021, by the following vote: COUNCIL MEMBERS: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: SIGNED: MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA DATE: __________________ ATTEST: TOWN CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA DATE: __________________ 4 of 4 Resolution 20 - Council Meeting 12/07/21 The Seamless Transit Principles Viewable at: www.seamlessbayarea.org/seamless-transit-principles 1)Run all Bay Area transit as one easy-to-use system Public transit should work as one seamless, connected, and convenient network across the San Francisco BayArea and beyond. Getting around on transit should be as fast and easy as driving a car. Coordinated bus, rail,and ferry routes and schedules should encourage effortless transfers. Consistent and clear customerinformation, branding, and maps should make using transit simple and dignified. 2)Put riders firstRiders should feel comfortable when using transit and be treated like valued customers. Public transit agenciesmust do more to listen to riders and continuously improve service. They must prioritize riders’ needs above allelse, and overcome all operational, political and bureaucratic barriers to provide an excellent and seamlesscustomer experience. 3)Make public transit equitable and accessible to allPeople of all income levels, ages, abilities, genders, and backgrounds should have access to world-class publictransit. People who are the most reliant on transit are best served by a universal, inclusive, regionallyintegrated, connected system that is used by all. People with limited means to pay for transit should beprovided with discounts. 4)Align transit prices and passes to be simple, fair, and affordableTransit should provide good value for money. Fares across the region’s 27 public transit agencies must bealigned into a consistent, fair, and affordable system that encourages using transit for all types of trips anddoesn’t punish riders for transferring. Cost-effective monthly passes should work across the Bay Area and should be widely available to individuals, employers, and schools. 5)Connect effortlessly with other sustainable transportationA person’s journey does not end when they get off a bus or exit a station. Excellent pedestrian, bicycle, andother pollution-free transportation options should seamlessly connect public transit to communities anddestinations, supporting door-to-door trips that don’t require a car. 6)Plan communities and transportation togetherHigh quality public transit should be at the heart of communities across the Bay Area. Transportation shouldbe closely aligned with our region’s land use, promoting a connected network of transit-oriented, walkablecommunities that expands access to affordable housing and job opportunities, and reduces car travel andgreenhouse gas emissions. 7)Prioritize reforms to create a seamless networkA regionally integrated, world-class transit system won’t happen on its own -- it will take leadership,unprecedented levels of cooperation, and changes to existing local, regional, and state policies. The cities,counties, public transit agencies, regional authorities, business leaders, advocacy groups and elected representatives of the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California megaregion must prioritize the broad public interest and urgently work together collaboratively to advance critical reforms. Our future depends on it!