30910. (a) The state-owned toll bridges within the geographic
jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission are the
following bridges:
(1) Antioch Bridge.
(2) Benicia-Martinez Bridge.
(3) Carquinez Bridges.
(4) Dumbarton Bridge.
(5) Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
(6) San Mateo-Hayward Bridge.
(7) San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
(b) The Antioch Bridge, the Benicia-Martinez Bridge, the Carquinez
Bridges, and the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge are at times classified
as the northern bridge unit, and the Dumbarton Bridge, the San
Mateo-Hayward Bridge, and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge are at
times classified as the southern bridge unit. For purposes of
operation, rehabilitation, maintenance, and financing, all of the
bridges are classified as a single enterprise.
30910.5. "Authority" means the Bay Area Toll Authority.
30911. (a) The authority shall control and maintain the Bay Area
Toll Account and other subaccounts it deems necessary and appropriate
to document toll revenue and operating expenditures in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles.
(b) (1) After the requirements of any bond resolution or indenture
of the authority for any outstanding revenue bonds have been met,
the authority shall transfer on a regularly scheduled basis as set
forth in the authority's annual budget resolution, the revenues
defined in subdivision (b) of Section 30913 and Section 30914 to the
commission. The funds transferred are continuously appropriated to
the commission to expend for the purposes specified in subdivision
(b) of Section 30913 and Section 30914.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), the revenues defined in
subdivision (b) of Section 30913 and subdivision (a) of Section 30914
include all revenues accruing since January 1, 1989.
30912. (a) Revenue derived from tolls on all bridges may be
expended, subject to the adopted annual budget of the authority, for
any of the following purposes:
(1) Safety and operational costs, including toll collection and
maintenance costs in accordance with Section 188.4.
(2) Costs of bridge construction and improvement projects,
including seismic retrofit and replacement projects, and including
debt service and sinking fund payments on bonds issued by the
authority for those projects. The repayment of any advances from
other state funds may be made from the toll revenue or bond proceeds.
(b) The revenue determined by the authority as derived from the
toll increase approved in 1988, and authorized by Section 30917 for
class I vehicles on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge shall be
used, to the extent specified in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of
Section 30914, for the construction of rail extensions specified in
Section 30914 or for payment of the principal of, and interest on,
bonds issued for those projects, including payments into a sinking
fund maintained for that purpose.
30913. (a) In addition to any other authorized expenditure of toll
bridge revenues, the following major projects may be funded from toll
revenues:
(1) Benicia-Martinez Bridge: Widening of the existing bridge.
(2) Benicia-Martinez Bridge: Construction of an additional span
parallel to the existing bridge.
(3) Carquinez Bridge: Replacement of the existing western span.
(4) Richmond-San Rafael Bridge: Major rehabilitation of the
bridge, and development of a new easterly approach between the toll
plaza and Route 80, near Pinole, known as the Richmond Parkway.
(b) The toll increase approved in 1988, which authorized a uniform
toll of one dollar ($1) for two-axle vehicles on the bridges and
corresponding increases for multi-axle vehicles, resulted in the
following toll increases for two-axle vehicles on the bridges:
1988
Increase
(Two-axle
Bridge vehicles)
Antioch Bridge $0.50
Benicia-Martinez Bridge .60
Carquinez Bridge .60
Dumbarton Bridge .25
Richmond-San Rafael .00
Bridge
San Francisco-Oakland .25
Bay Bridge
San Mateo-Hayward Bridge .25
Portions of the 1988 toll increase were dedicated to transit
purposes, and these amounts shall be calculated as up to 2 percent of
the revenue generated each year by the collection on all bridges of
the base toll at the level established by the 1988 toll increase. The
Metropolitan Transportation Commission shall allocate two-thirds of
these amounts for transportation projects, other than those specified
in Sections 30912 and 30913 and in subdivision (a) of Section 30914,
which are designed to reduce vehicular traffic congestion and
improve bridge operations on any bridge, including, but not limited
to, bicycle facilities and for the planning, construction, operation,
and acquisition of rapid water transit systems. The commission shall
allocate the remaining one-third solely for the planning,
construction, operation, and acquisition of rapid water transit
systems. The plans for the projects may also be funded by these
moneys. Funds made available for rapid water transit systems pursuant
to this subdivision shall be allocated to the San Francisco Bay Area
Water Emergency Transportation Authority beginning on the date
specified in the adopted transition plan developed by the authority
pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 66540.32 of the Government
Code.
(c) The department shall not include, in the plans for the new
Benicia-Martinez Bridge, toll plazas, highways, or other facilities
leading to or from the Benicia-Martinez Bridge, any construction that
would result in the net loss of any wetland acreage.
(d) With respect to the Benicia-Martinez and Carquinez Bridges,
the department shall consider the potential for rail transit as part
of the plans for the new structures specified in paragraphs (2) and
(3) of subdivision (a).
(e) At the time the first of the new bridges specified in
paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (a) is opened to the public,
there shall be a lane for the exclusive use of pedestrians and
bicycles available on at least, but not limited to, the original span
at Benicia or Carquinez, or the additional or replacement spans
planned for those bridges. The design of these bridges shall not
preclude the subsequent addition of a lane for the exclusive use of
pedestrians and bicycles.
30914. (a) In addition to any other authorized expenditures of toll
bridge revenues, the following major projects may be funded from
toll revenues of all bridges:
(1) Dumbarton Bridge: Improvement of the western approaches from
Route 101 if affected local governments are involved in the planning.
(2) San Mateo-Hayward Bridge and approaches: Widening of the
bridge to six lanes, construction of rail transit capital
improvements on the bridge structure, and improvements to the Route
92/Route 880 interchange.
(3) Construction of West Grand connector or an alternate project
designed to provide comparable benefit by reducing vehicular traffic
congestion on the eastern approaches to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay
Bridge. Affected local governments shall be involved in the
planning.
(4) Not less than 90 percent of the revenues determined by the
authority as derived from the toll increase approved in 1988 for
class I vehicles on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge authorized
by Section 30917 shall be used exclusively for rail transit capital
improvements designed to reduce vehicular traffic congestion on that
bridge. This amount shall be calculated as 21 percent of the revenue
generated each year by the collection of the base toll at the level
established by the 1988 increase on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay
Bridge.
(b) Notwithstanding any funding request for the transbay bus
terminal pursuant to Section 31015, the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission shall allocate toll bridge revenues in an annual amount
not to exceed three million dollars ($3,000,000), plus a 3.5-percent
annual increase, to the department or to the Transbay Joint Powers
Authority after the department transfers the title of the Transbay
Terminal Building to that entity, for operation and maintenance
expenditures. This allocation shall be payable from funds transferred
by the Bay Area Toll Authority. This transfer of funds is
subordinate to any obligations of the authority, now or hereafter
existing, having a statutory or first priority lien against the toll
bridge revenues. The first annual 3.5-percent increase shall be made
on July 1, 2004. The transfer is further subject to annual
certification by the department or the Transbay Joint Powers
Authority that the total Transbay Terminal Building operating revenue
is insufficient to pay the cost of operation and maintenance without
the requested funding.
(c) If the voters approve a toll increase in 2004 pursuant to
Section 30921, the authority shall, consistent with the provisions of
subdivisions (d) and (f), fund the projects described in this
subdivision and in subdivision (d) that shall collectively be known
as the Regional Traffic Relief Plan by bonding or transfers to the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission. These projects have been
determined to reduce congestion or to make improvements to travel in
the toll bridge corridors, from toll revenues of all bridges:
(1) BART/MUNI Connection at Embarcadero and Civic Center Stations.
Provide direct access from the BART platform to the MUNI platform at
the above stations and equip new fare gates that are TransLink
ready. Three million dollars ($3,000,000). The project sponsor is
BART.
(2) MUNI Metro Third Street Light Rail Line. Provide funding for
the surface and light rail transit and maintenance facility to
support MUNI Metro Third Street Light Rail service connecting to
Caltrain stations and the E-Line waterfront line. Thirty million
dollars ($30,000,000). The project sponsor is MUNI.
(3) MUNI Waterfront Historic Streetcar Expansion. Provide funding
to rehabilitate historic streetcars and construct trackage and
terminal facilities to support service from the Caltrain Terminal,
the Transbay Terminal, and the Ferry Building, and connecting the
Fisherman's Wharf and northern waterfront. Ten million dollars
($10,000,000). The project sponsor is MUNI.
(4) East to West Bay Commuter Rail Service over the Dumbarton Rail
Bridge. Provide funding for the necessary track and station
improvements and rolling stock to interconnect the BART and Capitol
Corridor at Union City with Caltrain service over the Dumbarton Rail
Bridge, and interconnect and provide track improvements for the ACE
line with the same Caltrain service at Centerville. Provide a new
station at Sun Microsystems in Menlo Park. One hundred thirty-five
million dollars ($135,000,000). The project is jointly sponsored by
the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, Capitol Corridor, and
the Alameda County Transportation Commission.
(5) Vallejo Station. Construct intermodal transportation hub for
bus and ferry service, including parking structure, at site of
Vallejo's current ferry terminal. Twenty-eight million dollars
($28,000,000). The project sponsor is the City of Vallejo.
(6) Solano County Express Bus Intermodal Facilities. Provide
competitive grant fund source, to be administered by the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission. Eligible projects are Curtola Park and
Ride, Benicia Intermodal Facility, Fairfield Transportation Center,
and Vacaville Intermodal Station. Priority to be given to projects
that are fully funded, ready for construction, and serving transit
service that operates primarily on existing or fully funded
high-occupancy vehicle lanes. Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000).
The project sponsor is the Solano Transportation Authority.
(7) Solano County Corridor Improvements near Interstate
80/Interstate 680 Interchange. Provide funding for improved mobility
in corridor based on recommendations of joint study conducted by the
Department of Transportation and the Solano Transportation Authority.
Cost-effective transit infrastructure investment or service
identified in the study shall be considered a high priority. One
hundred million dollars ($100,000,000). The project sponsor is the
Solano Transportation Authority.
(8) Interstate 80: Eastbound High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane
Extension from Route 4 to Carquinez Bridge. Construct HOV-lane
extension. Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000). The project sponsor
is the Department of Transportation.
(9) Richmond Parkway Transit Center. Construct parking structure
and associated improvements to expand bus capacity. Sixteen million
dollars ($16,000,000). The project sponsor is the Alameda-Contra
Costa Transit District, in coordination with West Contra Costa
Transportation Advisory Committee, Western Contra Costa Transit
Authority, City of Richmond, and the Department of Transportation.
(10) Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) Extension to
Larkspur or San Quentin. Extend rail line from San Rafael to a ferry
terminal at Larkspur or San Quentin. Thirty-five million dollars
($35,000,000). Up to five million dollars ($5,000,000) may be used to
study, in collaboration with the Water Transit Authority, the
potential use of San Quentin property as an intermodal water transit
terminal. The project sponsor is SMART.
(11) Greenbrae Interchange/Larkspur Ferry Access Improvements.
Provide enhanced regional and local access around the Greenbrae
Interchange to reduce traffic congestion and provide multimodal
access to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and Larkspur Ferry Terminal
by constructing a new full service diamond interchange at Wornum
Drive south of the Greenbrae Interchange, extending a multiuse
pathway from the new interchange at Wornum Drive to East Sir Francis
Drake Boulevard and the Cal Park Hill rail right-of-way, adding a new
lane to East Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and rehabilitating the Cal
Park Hill Rail Tunnel and right-of-way approaches for bicycle and
pedestrian access to connect the San Rafael Transit Center with the
Larkspur Ferry Terminal. Sixty-five million dollars ($65,000,000).
The project sponsor is the Marin County Congestion Management Agency.
(12) Direct High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane connector from
Interstate 680 to the Pleasant Hill or Walnut Creek BART stations or
in close proximity to either station or as an extension of the
southbound Interstate 680 High-Occupancy Vehicle Lane through the
Interstate 680/State Highway Route 4 interchange from North Main in
Walnut Creek to Livorna Road. The County Connection shall utilize up
to one million dollars ($1,000,000) of the funds described in this
paragraph to develop options and recommendations for providing
express bus service on the Interstate 680 High-Occupancy Vehicle Lane
south of the Benicia Bridge in order to connect to BART. Upon
completion of the plan, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority
shall adopt a preferred alternative provided by the County Connection
plan for future funding. Following adoption of the preferred
alternative, the remaining funds may be expended either to fund the
preferred alternative or to extend the high-occupancy vehicle lane as
described in this paragraph. Fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000).
The project is sponsored by the Contra Costa Transportation
Authority.
(13) Rail Extension to East Contra Costa/E-BART. Extend BART from
Pittsburg/Bay Point Station to Byron in East Contra Costa County.
Ninety-six million dollars ($96,000,000). Project funds may only be
used if the project is in compliance with adopted BART policies with
respect to appropriate land use zoning in vicinity of proposed
stations. The project is jointly sponsored by BART and the Contra
Costa Transportation Authority.
(14) Capitol Corridor Improvements in Interstate 80/Interstate 680
Corridor. Fund track and station improvements, including the Suisun
Third Main Track and new Fairfield Station. Twenty-five million
dollars ($25,000,000). The project sponsor is the Capitol Corridor
Joint Powers Authority and the Solano Transportation Authority.
(15) Central Contra Costa Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Crossover.
Add new track before Pleasant Hill BART Station to permit BART
trains to cross to return track towards San Francisco. Twenty-five
million dollars ($25,000,000). The project sponsor is BART.
(16) Benicia-Martinez Bridge: New Span. Provide partial funding
for completion of new five-lane span between Benicia and Martinez to
significantly increase capacity in the I-680 corridor. Fifty million
dollars ($50,000,000). The project sponsor is the Bay Area Toll
Authority.
(17) Regional Express Bus North. Competitive grant program for bus
service in Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, Carquinez, Benicia-Martinez,
and Antioch Bridge corridors. Provide funding for park and ride lots,
infrastructure improvements, and rolling stock. Eligible recipients
include the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District,
Vallejo Transit, Napa VINE, Fairfield-Suisun Transit, Western Contra
Costa Transit Authority, Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority, and
Central Contra Costa Transit Authority. The Golden Gate Bridge
Highway and Transportation District shall receive a minimum of one
million six hundred thousand dollars ($1,600,000). Napa VINE shall
receive a minimum of two million four hundred thousand dollars
($2,400,000). Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000). The project
sponsor is the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
(18) TransLink. Integrate the bay area's regional smart card
technology, TransLink, with operator fare collection equipment and
expand system to new transit services. Twenty-two million dollars
($22,000,000). The project sponsor is the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission.
(19) Real-Time Transit Information. Provide a competitive grant
program for transit operators for assistance with implementation of
high-technology systems to provide real-time transit information to
riders at transit stops or via telephone, wireless, or Internet
communication. Priority shall be given to projects identified in the
commission's connectivity plan adopted pursuant to subdivision (d) of
Section 30914.5. Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000). The funds
shall be administered by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
(20) Safe Routes to Transit: Plan and construct bicycle and
pedestrian access improvements in close proximity to transit
facilities. Priority shall be given to those projects that best
provide access to regional transit services. Twenty-two million five
hundred thousand dollars ($22,500,000). City Car Share shall receive
two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) to expand its
program within approximately one-quarter mile of transbay regional
transit terminals or stations. The City Car Share project is
sponsored by City Car Share and the Safe Routes to Transit project is
jointly sponsored by the East Bay Bicycle Coalition and the
Transportation and Land Use Coalition. These sponsors must identify a
public agency cosponsor for purposes of specific project fund
allocations.
(21) BART Tube Seismic Strengthening. Add seismic capacity to
existing BART tube connecting the East Bay with San Francisco. One
hundred forty-three million dollars ($143,000,000). The project
sponsor is BART.
(22) Transbay Terminal/Downtown Caltrain Extension. A new Transbay
Terminal at First and Mission Streets in San Francisco providing
added capacity for transbay, regional, local, and intercity bus
services, the extension of Caltrain rail services into the terminal,
and accommodation of a future high-speed passenger rail line to the
terminal and eventual rail connection to the East Bay. Eligible
expenses include project planning, design and engineering,
construction of a new terminal and its associated ramps and tunnels,
demolition of existing structures, design and development of a
temporary terminal, property and right-of-way acquisitions required
for the project, and associated project-related administrative
expenses. A bus- and train-ready terminal facility, including
purchase and acquisition of necessary rights-of-way for the terminal,
ramps, and rail extension, is the first priority for toll funds for
the Transbay Terminal/Downtown Caltrain Extension Project. The
temporary terminal operation shall not exceed five years. One hundred
fifty million dollars ($150,000,000). The project sponsor is the
Transbay Joint Powers Authority.
(23) Oakland Airport Connector. New transit connection to link
BART, Capitol Corridor, and AC Transit with Oakland Airport. The Port
of Oakland shall provide a full funding plan for the connector.
Thirty million dollars ($30,000,000). The project sponsors are the
Port of Oakland and BART.
(24) AC Transit Enhanced Bus-Phase 1 on Telegraph Avenue,
International Boulevard, and East 14th Street (Berkeley-Oakland-San
Leandro). Develop enhanced bus service on these corridors, including
bus bulbs, signal prioritization, new buses, and other improvements.
Priority of investment shall improve the AC connection to BART on
these corridors. Sixty-five million dollars ($65,000,000). The
project sponsor is AC Transit.
(25) Transbay Commute Ferry Service. Purchase two vessels for
transbay ferry services. Second vessel funds to be released upon
demonstration of appropriate terminal locations, new transit-oriented
development, adequate parking, and sufficient landside feeder
connections to support ridership projections. Twelve million dollars
($12,000,000). The project sponsor is the San Francisco Bay Area
Water Emergency Transportation Authority. If the San Francisco Bay
Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority demonstrates to the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission that it has secured
alternative funding for the two vessel purchases described in this
paragraph, the funds may be used for terminal improvements or for
consolidation of existing ferry operations.
(26) Commute Ferry Service for Berkeley/Albany. Purchase two
vessels for ferry services between the Berkeley/Albany Terminal and
San Francisco. Parking access and landside feeder connections must be
sufficient to support ridership projections. Twelve million dollars
($12,000,000). The project sponsor is the San Francisco Bay Area
Water Emergency Transportation Authority. If the San Francisco Bay
Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority demonstrates to the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission that it has secured
alternative funding for the two vessel purchases described in this
paragraph, the funds may be used for terminal improvements. If the
San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority does
not have an entitled terminal site within the Berkeley/Albany
catchment area by 2010 that meets its requirements, the funds
described in this paragraph and the operating funds described in
paragraph (7) of subdivision (d) shall be transferred to another site
in the East Bay. The City of Richmond shall be given first priority
to receive this transfer of funds if it has met the planning
milestones identified in its special study developed pursuant to
paragraph (28).
(27) Commute Ferry Service for South San Francisco. Purchase two
vessels for ferry services to the Peninsula. Parking access and
landside feeder connections must be sufficient to support ridership
projections. Twelve million dollars ($12,000,000). The project
sponsor is the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation
Authority. If the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency
Transportation Authority demonstrates to the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission that it has secured alternative funding for
the two vessel purchases described in this paragraph, the funds may
be used for terminal improvements.
(28) Water Transit Facility Improvements, Spare Vessels, and
Environmental Review Costs. Provide two backup vessels for water
transit services, expand berthing capacity at the Port of San
Francisco, and expand environmental studies and design for eligible
locations. Forty-eight million dollars ($48,000,000). The project
sponsor is the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation
Authority. Up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) of the funds
described in this paragraph shall be made available for the San
Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority to study
accelerating development and other milestones that would potentially
increase ridership at the City of Richmond ferry terminal.
(29) Regional Express Bus Service for San Mateo, Dumbarton, and
Bay Bridge Corridors. Expand park and ride lots, improve HOV access,
construct ramp improvements, and purchase rolling stock. Twenty-two
million dollars ($22,000,000). The project sponsors are AC Transit
and the Alameda County Transportation Commission.
(30) I-880 North Safety Improvements. Reconfigure various ramps on
I-880 and provide appropriate mitigations between 29th Avenue and
16th Avenue. Ten million dollars ($10,000,000). The project sponsors
are the Alameda County Transportation Commission, City of Oakland,
and Department of Transportation.
(31) BART Warm Springs Extension. Extension of the existing BART
system from Fremont to Warm Springs in southern Alameda County.
Ninety-five million dollars ($95,000,000). Up to ten million dollars
($10,000,000) shall be used for grade separation work in the City of
Fremont necessary to extend BART. The project would facilitate a
future rail service extension to the Silicon Valley. The project
sponsor is BART.
(32) I-580 (Tri Valley) Rapid Transit Corridor Improvements.
Provide rail or High-Occupancy Vehicle lane direct connector to
Dublin BART and other improvements on I-580 in Alameda County for use
by express buses. Sixty-five million dollars ($65,000,000). The
project sponsor is the Alameda County Transportation Commission.
(33) Regional Rail Master Plan. Provide planning funds for
integrated regional rail study pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section
30914.5. Six million five hundred thousand dollars ($6,500,000). The
project sponsors are Caltrain and BART.
(34) Integrated Fare Structure Program. Provide planning funds for
the development of zonal monthly transit passes pursuant to
subdivision (e) of Section 30914.5. One million five hundred thousand
dollars ($1,500,000). The project sponsor is the Translink
Consortium.
(35) Transit Commuter Benefits Promotion. Marketing program to
promote tax-saving opportunities for employers and employees as
specified in Section 132(f)(3) or 162(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code. Goal is to increase the participation rate of employers
offering employees a tax-free benefit to commute to work by transit.
The project sponsor is the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
Five million dollars ($5,000,000).
(36) Caldecott Tunnel Improvements. Provide funds to plan and
construct a fourth bore at the Caldecott Tunnel between Contra Costa
and Alameda Counties. The fourth bore will be a two-lane bore with a
shoulder or shoulders north of the current three bores. The County
Connection shall study all feasible alternatives to increase transit
capacity in the westbound corridor of State Highway Route 24 between
State Highway Route 680 and the Caldecott Tunnel, including the study
of the use of an express lane, high-occupancy vehicle lane, and an
auxiliary lane. The cost of the study shall not exceed five hundred
thousand dollars ($500,000) and shall be completed not later than
January 15, 2006. Fifty million five hundred thousand dollars
($50,500,000). The project sponsor is the Contra Costa Transportation
Authority.
(d) Not more than 38 percent of the revenues generated from the
toll increase shall be made available annually for the purpose of
providing operating assistance for transit services as set forth in
the authority's annual budget resolution. The funds shall be made
available to the provider of the transit services subject to the
performance measures described in Section 30914.5. If the funds
cannot be obligated for operating assistance consistent with the
performance measures, these funds shall be obligated for other
operations consistent with this chapter.
Except for operating programs that do not have planned funding
increases and subject to the 38-percent limit on total operating cost
funding in any single year, following the first year of scheduled
operations, an escalation factor, not to exceed 1.5 percent per year,
shall be added to the operating cost funding through the 2015-16
fiscal year, to partially offset increased operating costs. The
escalation factors shall be contained in the operating agreements
described in Section 30914.5. Subject to the limitations of this
paragraph, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission may annually
fund the following operating programs as another component of the
Regional Traffic Relief Plan:
(1) Golden Gate Express Bus Service over the Richmond Bridge
(Route 40). Two million one hundred thousand dollars ($2,100,000).
(2) Napa VINE Service terminating at the Vallejo Intermodal
Terminal. Three hundred ninety thousand dollars ($390,000).
(3) Regional Express Bus North Pool serving the Carquinez and
Benicia Bridge Corridors. Three million four hundred thousand dollars
($3,400,000).
(4) Regional Express Bus South Pool serving the Bay Bridge, San
Mateo Bridge, and Dumbarton Bridge Corridors. Six million five
hundred thousand dollars ($6,500,000).
(5) Dumbarton Rail. Five million five hundred thousand dollars
($5,500,000).
(6) San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation
Authority, Alameda/Oakland/Harbor Bay, Berkeley/Albany, South San
Francisco, Vallejo, or other transbay ferry service. A portion of the
operating funds may be dedicated to landside transit operations.
Fifteen million three hundred thousand dollars ($15,300,000). Funds
historically made available to the City of Vallejo or the City of
Alameda shall continue to be allocated to those cities until the date
specified in the adopted transition plan developed by the San
Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority pursuant
to subdivision (b) of Section 66540.32 of the Government Code. The
authority may use up to six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000) to
support development of the transition plan and for transition-related
costs, including, but not limited to, reasonable administrative
costs incurred by the authority and transferring agencies on or after
July 1, 2008, in accordance with subdivision (e) of Section 66540.11
of the Government Code, upon a determination by the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission that these costs are reasonable and
substantially the result of the transition. After adoption of the
transition plan and after formal agreement by the Cities of Alameda
and Vallejo to transition their ferry services to the authority in
accordance with the transition plan, the authority may use additional
funds, above the limits previously referenced in this paragraph, for
transition and transition-related activities, incurred before or
after the actual transfer of services, as specified in the transition
plan and approved by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. The
authority may utilize funds from this section for operation of the
services transferred from the City of Vallejo or the City of Alameda
if approved by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
(7) Owl Bus Service on BART Corridor. One million eight hundred
thousand dollars ($1,800,000).
(8) MUNI Metro Third Street Light Rail Line. Two million five
hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) without escalation.
(9) AC Transit Enhanced Bus Service on Telegraph Avenue,
International Boulevard, and East 14th Street in Berkeley-Oakland-San
Leandro. Three million dollars ($3,000,000) without escalation.
(10) TransLink, three-year operating program. Twenty million
dollars ($20,000,000) without escalation.
(11) San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation
Authority, regional planning and operations. Three million dollars
($3,000,000) without escalation.
(e) For all projects authorized under subdivision (c), the project
sponsor shall submit an initial project report to the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission before July 1, 2004. This report shall
include all information required to describe the project in detail,
including the status of any environmental documents relevant to the
project, additional funds required to fully fund the project, the
amount, if any, of funds expended to date, and a summary of any
impediments to the completion of the project. This report, or an
updated report, shall include a detailed financial plan and shall
notify the commission if the project sponsor will request toll
revenue within the subsequent 12 months. The project sponsor shall
update this report as needed or requested by the commission. No funds
shall be allocated by the commission for any project authorized by
subdivision (c) until the project sponsor submits the initial project
report, and the report is reviewed and approved by the commission.
If multiple project sponsors are listed for projects listed in
subdivision (c), the commission shall identify a lead sponsor in
coordination with all identified sponsors, for purposes of allocating
funds. For any projects authorized under subdivision
(c), the commission shall have
the option of requiring a memorandum of understanding between itself
and the project sponsor or sponsors that shall include any specific
requirements that must be met prior to the allocation of funds
provided under subdivision (c).
(f) The Metropolitan Transportation Commission shall annually
assess the status of programs and projects and shall allocate a
portion of funding made available under Section 30921 or 30958 for
public information and advertising to support the services and
projects identified in subdivisions (c) and (d). If a program or
project identified in subdivision (c) has cost savings after
completion, taking into account construction costs and an estimate of
future settlement claims, or cannot be completed or cannot continue
due to delivery or financing obstacles making the completion or
continuation of the program or project unrealistic, the commission
shall consult with the program or project sponsor. After consulting
with the sponsor, the commission shall hold a public hearing
concerning the program or project. After the hearing, the commission
may vote to modify the program or the project's scope, decrease its
level of funding, or reassign some or all of the funds to another
project within the same bridge corridor. If a program or project
identified in subdivision (c) is to be implemented with other funds
not derived from tolls, the commission shall follow the same
consultation and hearing process described above and may vote
thereafter to reassign the funds to another project consistent with
the intent of this chapter. If an operating program or project as
identified in subdivision (d) cannot achieve its performance
objectives described in subdivision (a) of Section 30914.5 or cannot
continue due to delivery or financing obstacles making the completion
or continuation of the program or project unrealistic, the
commission shall consult with the program or the project sponsor.
After consulting with the sponsor, the commission shall hold a public
hearing concerning the program or project. After the hearing, the
commission may vote to modify the program or the project's scope,
decrease its level of funding, or to reassign some or all of the
funds to another or an additional regional transit program or project
within the same corridor. If a program or project does not meet the
required performance measures, the commission shall give the sponsor
a time certain to achieve the performance measures before reassigning
its funding.
(g) If the voters approve a toll increase pursuant to Section
30921, the authority shall within 24 months of the election date
include the projects in a long-range plan that are consistent with
the commission's findings required by this section and Section
30914.5. The authority shall update its long-range plan as required
to maintain its viability as a strategic plan for funding projects
authorized by this section. The authority shall, by January 1, 2007,
submit its updated long-range plan to the transportation policy
committee of each house of the Legislature for review.
(h) If the voters approve a toll increase pursuant to Section
30921, and if additional funds from this toll increase are available
following the funding obligations of subdivisions (c) and (d), the
authority may set aside a reserve to fund future rolling stock
replacement to enhance the sustainability of the services enumerated
in subdivision (d). The authority shall, by January 1, 2020, submit a
20-year toll bridge expenditure plan to the Legislature for
adoption. This expenditure plan shall have, as its highest priority,
replacement of transit vehicles purchased pursuant to subdivision
(c).
30914.1. Funding of the TransLink operating program in the amount
of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall be made pursuant to
paragraph (10) of subdivision (d) of Section 30914 without regard to
the three-year limitation stated therein.
30914.5. (a) Prior to the allocation of revenue for transit
operating assistance under subdivision (d) of Section 30914, the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission shall adopt performance
measures related to fare-box recovery, ridership, and other
performance measures as needed. The performance measures shall be
developed in consultation with the affected transit operators and the
commission's advisory council.
(b) The Metropolitan Transportation Commission shall execute an
operating agreement with the sponsors of the projects described in
subdivision (d) of Section 30914. This agreement shall include, at a
minimum, a fully funded operating plan that conforms to and is
consistent with the adopted performance measures. The agreement shall
also include a schedule of projected fare revenues or other
operating revenues to indicate that the service is viable in the near
term and is expected to meet the adopted performance measures in
future years. For any individual project sponsor, this operating
agreement may include additional requirements, as determined by the
commission, to be met prior to the allocation of transit assistance
under subdivision (d) of Section 30914.
(c) Prior to the annual allocation of transit operating assistance
funds by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission pursuant to
subdivision (d) of Section 30914, the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission shall conduct, or shall require the sponsoring agency to
conduct, an independent audit that contains audited financial
information, including an opinion on the status and cost of the
project and its compliance with the approved performance measures.
Notwithstanding this requirement, each operator shall be given a
one-year trial period to operate new service. In the first year of
new service, the sponsor shall develop a reporting and accounting
structure for the performance measures. Commencing with the third
operating year, sponsors shall be subject to the approved performance
measures.
(d) The Metropolitan Transportation Commission shall adopt a
regional transit connectivity plan by May 1, 2006. The connectivity
plan shall be incorporated into the commission's Transit Coordination
Implementation Plan pursuant to Section 66516.5 of the Government
Code. The connectivity plan shall require operators to comply with
the plan utilizing commission authority pursuant to Section 66516.5
of the Government Code. The commission shall consult with the
Partnership Transit Coordination Council in developing a plan that
identifies and evaluates opportunities for improving transit
connectivity and shall include, but not be limited to, the following
components:
(1) A network of key transit hubs connecting regional rapid
transit services to one another, and to feeder transit services.
"Regional rapid transit" means long-haul transit service that crosses
county lines, and operates mostly in dedicated rights-of-way,
including freeway high-occupancy vehicle lanes, crossing a bridge, or
on the bay. The identified transit hubs shall operate either as a
timed transfer network or as pulsed hub connections, providing
regularly scheduled connections between two or more transit lines.
(2) Physical infrastructure and right-of-way improvements
necessary to improve system reliability and connections at transit
hubs. Physical infrastructure improvements may include, but are not
limited to, improved rail-to-rail transfer facilities, including
cross-platform transfers, and intermodal transit improvements that
facilitate rail-to-bus, rail-to-ferry, ferry-to-ferry, ferry-to-bus,
and bus-to-bus transfers. Capital improvements identified in the plan
shall be eligible for funding in the commission's regional
transportation plan.
(3) Regional standards and procedures to ensure maximum
coordination of schedule connections to minimize transfer times
between transit lines at key transit hubs, including, but not limited
to, the following:
(A) Policies and procedures for improved fare collection.
(B) Enhanced trip-planning services, including Internet-based
programs, telephone information systems, and printed schedules.
(C) Enhanced schedule coordination through the implementation of
real-time transit-vehicle location systems that facilitate
communication between systems and result in improved timed transfers
between routes.
(D) Performance measures and data collection to monitor the
performance of the connectivity plan.
The connectivity plan shall focus on, but not be limited to,
feeder transit lines connecting to regional rapid transit services,
and the connection of regional rapid transit services to one another.
The connectivity plan shall be adopted following a Metropolitan
Transportation Commission public hearing at least 60 days prior to
adoption. The commission shall adopt performance measures and collect
appropriate data to monitor the performance of the connectivity
plan. The plan shall be evaluated every three years by the commission
as part of the update to its regional transportation plan. No agency
shall be eligible to receive funds under this section unless the
agency is a participant operator in the commission's regional transit
connectivity plan.
The provisions of this subdivision shall only be effective if the
voters approve the toll increase as set forth in Section 30921, and
the expenditures incurred by the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission up to five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) that are
related to the requirements of this subdivision, including any study,
shall be reimbursed from toll revenues identified in paragraph (33)
of subdivision (c) of Section 30914.
(e) The TransLink Consortium, per the TransLink Interagency
Participation Agreement, shall, by July 1, 2008, develop a plan for
an integrated fare program covering all regional rapid transit trips
funded in full or in part by this section. "Regional rapid transit"
means long-haul transit services that cross county lines, and operate
mostly in dedicated rights-of-way, including freeway high-occupancy
vehicle lanes, crossing a bridge, or on the bay. Interregional rail
services, originating or terminating from outside the Bay Area, shall
not be considered regional rapid transit. The purpose of the
integrated fare program is to encourage greater use of the region's
transit network by making it easier and less costly for transit
riders whose regular commute involves multizonal travel and may
involve the transfer between two or more transit agencies, including
regional-to-regional and regional-to-local transfers. The integrated
fare program shall include a zonal fare system for the sole purpose
of creating a monthly zonal pass (monthly pass), allowing for
unlimited or discounted fares for transit riders making a minimum
number of monthly transit trips between two or more zones. The number
of minimum trips shall be established by the plan. The integrated
fare program shall not apply to fare structures that are not
purchased on a monthly basis. For the purposes of these zonal fares,
geographic zones shall be created in the Bay Area. To the extent
practical, zone boundaries for overlapping systems shall be in the
same places and shall correspond to the boundaries of the local
transit service areas. A regional rapid transit zone may cover more
than one local service area, or may subdivide an existing local
service area. The monthly pass shall be created in at least the
following two forms:
(1) For the use of interzonal regional rapid transit trips without
local transit discounts.
(2) For the use of interzonal regional rapid transit trips with
local transit discounts. The plan may recommend the elimination of
existing transit pass arrangements to simplify the marketing of the
monthly pass. The integrated fare program shall establish a
monitoring program to evaluate the impact of the integrated fare
program on the operating finances of the participating agencies. The
integrated fare program shall be adjusted as necessary to ensure that
the program does not jeopardize the viability of local or regional
rapid transit routes impacted by the program, and to the extent
feasible, provide an equitable revenue-sharing arrangement among the
participating agencies. This subdivision shall only be effective if
the voters approve the toll increase as set forth in Section 30921,
and any expenditures related to the implementation of this
subdivision incurred by the TransLink Consortium shall be reimbursed
by toll revenues designated in paragraph (34) of subdivision (c) of
Section 30914.
(f) The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) shall, by
September 29, 2007, adopt a Bay Area Regional Rail Plan (plan) for
the development of passenger rail services in the San Francisco Bay
Area over the short, medium, and long term. Up to six million dollars
($6,000,000) of the funds described in paragraph (33) of subdivision
(c) of Section 30914 may be expended by MTC, the San Francisco Bay
Area Rapid Transit District (BART), and the Peninsula Corridor Joint
Powers Board (Caltrain) for the plan. A project management team
comprised of staff from MTC, Caltrain, the High-Speed Rail Authority,
and BART shall provide day-to-day project management of the
technical development of the plan. The plan shall formulate
strategies to integrate passenger rail systems, improve interfaces
with connecting services, expand the regional rapid transit network,
and coordinate investments with transit-supportive land use. The plan
shall be directed by a steering committee consisting of appointees
from the Department of Transportation (Caltrans), BART, Caltrain, the
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), the Capitol
Corridor Joint Powers Authority, the Altamont Commuter Express, the
High-Speed Rail Authority, MTC, the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit
District (SMART), the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority,
the Solano Transportation Authority, the Association of Bay Area
Governments, the Transbay Joint Powers Authority, the Port of
Oakland, the Alameda County Transportation Commission, the Contra
Costa Transportation Authority, the Transportation Authority of
Marin, the Napa County Transportation Planning Agency, the San
Francisco County Transportation Authority, the San Mateo City-County
Association of Governments, the San Francisco Municipal
Transportation Agency, and the owners of standard gauge rail. Under
direction from the steering committee and with input from Bay Area
transit agencies, MTC shall act as the fiscal agent for the study and
oversee consultant contracts on behalf of the project management
team. The plan proposals shall be evaluated using performance
criteria, including, but not limited to, transit-supportive land use
and access, ridership, cost-effectiveness, regional network
connectivity, and capital and operating financial stability.
Additional performance criteria shall be developed as necessary. The
plan shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(1) Identification of issues in connectivity, access, capacity,
operations, and cost-effectiveness.
(2) Identification of opportunities to enhance rail connectivity
and to maximize passenger convenience when transferring between
systems, including the study of the feasibility and construction of
an intermodal transfer hub at Niles (Shinn Street) Junction.
(3) Recommendation of improvements to the interface with shuttles,
buses, other rail systems, and other feeder modes.
(4) Identification of potential impacts on capacity constraints
and operations on existing passenger and freight carriers.
(5) Identification of bottlenecks where added capacity could
cost-effectively increase performance.
(6) Recommendation of potential efficiency improvements through
economies of scale, such as through joint vehicle procurement and
maintenance facilities.
(7) Recommendation of strategies to acquire right-of-way and
station property to preserve future service options.
(8) Identification of potential capital and operating funding
sources for proposed actions.
(9) Identification of locations where the presence of passenger
rail could stimulate redevelopment and thereby direct growth to the
urban core.
(10) Recommendation of technology-appropriate service expansion in
specific corridors. Technologies to be considered include
conventional rail transit modes, bus rapid transit, and emerging rail
technologies. Identify phasing strategies for the implementation of
rail services where appropriate.
(11) Examination of how recommendations would integrate with
proposed high-speed rail to the Central Valley and southern
California. The intent of this element of the study is to help reduce
the number of alternatives that the High-Speed Rail Authority would
need to evaluate as part of any follow-on environmental assessment of
future high-speed rail system access to the Bay Area. Selection of a
preferred alignment for the Bay Area shall remain the responsibility
of the High-Speed Rail Authority pursuant to Section 185032 of the
Public Utilities Code.
(12) Recommendation of a governance strategy to implement and
operate future regional rail services.
This subdivision shall only be effective if the voters approve the
toll increase as set forth in Section 30921. Any expenditures
incurred by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission or the project
sponsors identified in paragraph (33) of subdivision (c) of Section
30914 related to the requirements of this subdivision, including any
study and administration, shall be appropriate charges against toll
revenue to be reimbursed from toll revenues.
30915. With respect to all construction and improvement projects
specified in Sections 30913 and 30914, project sponsors and the
department shall seek funding from all other potential sources,
including, but not limited to, the State Highway Account and federal
matching funds. The project sponsors and department shall report to
the authority concerning the funds obtained under this section.
30916. (a) The base toll rate for vehicles crossing the state-owned
toll bridges within the geographic jurisdiction of the commission as
of January 1, 2003, is as follows:
Number of Axles Toll
Two axles $1.00
Three axles 3.00
Four axles 5.25
Five axles 8.25
Six axles 9.00
Seven axles & more 10.50
(b) If the voters approve a toll increase, pursuant to Section
30921, commencing July 1, 2004, the base toll rate for vehicles
crossing the bridges described in subdivision (a) is as follows:
Number of axles Toll
Two axles $ 2.00
Three axles 4.00
Four axles 6.25
Five axles 9.25
Six axles 10.00
Seven axles & more 11.50
(c) The authority shall increase the amount of the toll only if
required to meet its obligations on any bonds or to satisfy its
covenants under any bond resolution or indenture. The authority shall
hold a public hearing before adopting a toll schedule reflecting the
increased toll charge.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the
adoption of either a discounted commute rate for two-axle vehicles or
of special provisions for high-occupancy vehicles under terms and
conditions prescribed by the authority in consultation with the
department.
30917. Pursuant to a special election in 1988 held in the City and
County of San Francisco and the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa,
Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Solano, the voters approved a
uniform toll charge of one dollar ($1) for class I vehicles crossing
the state-owned toll bridges within the geographic jurisdiction of
the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Except as provided in
Section 30914, the revenue derived from that toll increase shall be
used to finance capital outlay for bridge construction and major
bridge improvements as is fiscally practicable.
30918. (a) It is the intention of the Legislature to maintain tolls
on all of the bridges specified in Section 30910 at rates sufficient
to meet any obligation to the holders of bonds secured by the bridge
toll revenues. The authority shall retain authority to set the toll
schedule as may be necessary to meet those bond obligations. The
authority shall provide at least 30 days' notice to the
transportation policy committee of each house of the Legislature and
shall hold a public hearing before adopting a toll schedule
reflecting the increased toll rate.
(b) The authority shall increase the toll rates specified in the
adopted toll schedule in order to meet its obligations and covenants
under any bond resolution or indenture of the authority for any
outstanding toll bridge revenue bonds issued by the authority and the
requirements of any constituent instruments defining the rights of
holders of related obligations of the authority entered into pursuant
to Section 5922 of the Government Code and, notwithstanding Section
30887 or subdivision (c) of Section 30916 of this code, or any other
law, may increase the toll rates specified in the adopted toll
schedule to provide funds for the planning, design, construction,
operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, rehabilitation, and
seismic retrofit of the state-owned toll bridges specified in Section
30910 of this code, to provide funding to meet the requirements of
Sections 30884 and 30911 of this code, and to provide funding to meet
the requirements of voter-approved regional measures pursuant to
Sections 30914 and 30921 of this code.
(c) The authority's toll structure for the state-owned toll
bridges specified in Section 30910 may vary from bridge to bridge and
may include discounts for vehicles classified by the authority as
high-occupancy vehicles, notwithstanding any other law.
(d) If the authority establishes high-occupancy vehicle lane fee
discounts or access for vehicles classified by the authority as
high-occupancy vehicles for any bridge, the authority shall
collaborate with the department to reach agreement on how the
occupancy requirements shall apply on each segment of highway that
connects with that bridge.
(e) All tolls referred to in this section and Sections 30916,
31010, and 31011 may be treated by the authority as a single revenue
source for accounting and administrative purposes and for the
purposes of any bond indenture or resolution and any agreement
entered into pursuant to Section 5922 of the Government Code.
(f) It is the intent of the Legislature that the authority should
consider the needs and requirements of both its electronic and
cash-paying customers when it designates toll payment options at the
toll plazas for the toll bridges under its jurisdiction.
30919. (a) Consistent with its adopted regional transportation
plan, after the requirements for debt service on the outstanding toll
bridge revenue bonds have been met, the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission shall allocate the revenues identified in subdivision (b)
of Section 30913 to eligible public entities and to the department.
(b) The revenues expended pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision
(a) of Section 30914 shall be expended on rail extension and
improvement projects designed to reduce vehicular traffic congestion
on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Seventy percent of the
revenues shall be expended on rail extensions and improvement
projects in the Counties of Alameda and Contra Costa, including, but
not limited to, extending the regional rail system in the
Concord-Antioch, Fremont-San Jose, and the Bayfair-Livermore rail
transit corridors. The remaining 30 percent shall be expended on rail
extensions and improvement projects in the City and County of San
Francisco and the Counties of San Mateo and Santa Clara.
(c) The Metropolitan Transportation Commission may commit to
multiyear allocations and expenditures for projects over extended
time periods to maximize funding opportunities and project progress.
30920. The authority may issue toll bridge revenue bonds to finance
any or all of the projects, including those specified in Sections
30913 and 30914, if the issuance of the bonds does not adversely
affect the minimum amount of toll revenue proceeds designated in
Section 30913 and in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of, and
subdivision (b) of, Section 30914 for rail extension and improvement
projects and transit projects to reduce vehicular traffic. A
determination of the authority that a specific project or projects
shall have no adverse effect will be binding and conclusive in all
respects.
30921. (a) The toll rate for vehicles crossing the bridges
described in Section 30916 shall not be increased to the rate
described in subdivision (b) of Section 30916 prior to the
availability of the results of a special election to be held in the
City and County of San Francisco and the Counties of Alameda, Contra
Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Solano to determine whether
the residents of those counties and of the City and County of San
Francisco approve a toll increase in the amount of one dollar ($1)
per vehicle. The revenue derived from this toll increase shall be
used to finance capital outlay for construction improvements, the
acquisition of transit vehicles, transit operating assistance, and
other improvement projects to reduce congestion and to improve travel
options on the bridge corridors as is fiscally practicable.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the Elections Code, the board
of supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco and of each
of the counties described in subdivision (a) shall call a special
election to be conducted in the City and County of San Francisco and
in each of the counties that shall be consolidated with the March 2,
2004, primary election. The following question shall be submitted to
the voters as Regional Measure 2 and stated separately in the ballot
from state and local measures: "Shall voters authorize a Regional
Traffic Relief Plan that does the following:
(1) Directs revenues generated through the collection of bridge
tolls to provide the following projects:
(A) Expand and extend BART.
(B) New transbay commuter rail crossing south of the San
Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
(C) Comprehensive Regional Express bus network.
(D) New expanded ferry service.
(E) Better connections between BART, buses, ferries, and rail.
(2) Approves a one dollar ($1) toll increase effective July 1,
2004, on all toll bridges in the bay area, except the Golden Gate
Bridge "
(c) The ballot pamphlet for the special election described in
subdivision (b) shall include a detailed description of the Regional
Traffic Relief Plan detailing the projects, services, and planning
requirements set forth in subdivisions (c) and (d) of Section 30914
and subdivisions (d), (e), and (f) of Section 30914.5. The
Metropolitan Transportation Commission shall prepare this description
of the Regional Traffic Relief Plan.
(d) The county clerks shall report the results of the special
election to the authority. If a majority of all voters voting on the
question at the special election vote affirmatively, the authority
shall adopt the increased toll schedule to be effective July 1, 2004.
(e) If a majority of all the voters voting on the question at the
special election do not approve the toll increase, the authority may
by resolution resubmit the measure to the voters at a subsequent
general election. If a majority of all of the voters vote
affirmatively on the measure, the authority may adopt the toll
increase and establish its effective date and establish the
completion dates for all reports and studies required by Sections
30914, 30914.5, and 30950.3.
(f) The authority shall reimburse each county and city and county
participating in the election for the incremental cost of submitting
the measure to the voters. These costs shall be reimbursed from
revenues derived from the tolls if the measure is approved by the
voters, or, if the measure is not approved, from any bridge toll
revenues administered by the authority.
(g) Except as provided in Section 30918, the toll rates contained
in a toll schedule adopted by the authority pursuant to this section
shall not be changed without statutory authorization by the
Legislature.
30922. Any action or proceeding to contest, question, or deny the
validity of the toll increase provided for in this chapter, the
financing of the transportation program contemplated by this chapter,
the issuance of any bonds secured by those tolls, or any of the
proceedings in relation thereto, shall be commenced within 60 days
from the date of the election at which the toll increase is approved.
After that date, the financing of the program, the issuance of the
bonds, and all proceedings in relation thereto, including the
adoption, approval, and collection of the toll increase, shall be
held valid and incontestable in every respect.
30910. (a) The state-owned toll bridges within the geographic
jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission are the
following bridges:
(1) Antioch Bridge.
(2) Benicia-Martinez Bridge.
(3) Carquinez Bridges.
(4) Dumbarton Bridge.
(5) Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
(6) San Mateo-Hayward Bridge.
(7) San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
(b) The Antioch Bridge, the Benicia-Martinez Bridge, the Carquinez
Bridges, and the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge are at times classified
as the northern bridge unit, and the Dumbarton Bridge, the San
Mateo-Hayward Bridge, and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge are at
times classified as the southern bridge unit. For purposes of
operation, rehabilitation, maintenance, and financing, all of the
bridges are classified as a single enterprise.
30910.5. "Authority" means the Bay Area Toll Authority.
30911. (a) The authority shall control and maintain the Bay Area
Toll Account and other subaccounts it deems necessary and appropriate
to document toll revenue and operating expenditures in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles.
(b) (1) After the requirements of any bond resolution or indenture
of the authority for any outstanding revenue bonds have been met,
the authority shall transfer on a regularly scheduled basis as set
forth in the authority's annual budget resolution, the revenues
defined in subdivision (b) of Section 30913 and Section 30914 to the
commission. The funds transferred are continuously appropriated to
the commission to expend for the purposes specified in subdivision
(b) of Section 30913 and Section 30914.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), the revenues defined in
subdivision (b) of Section 30913 and subdivision (a) of Section 30914
include all revenues accruing since January 1, 1989.
30912. (a) Revenue derived from tolls on all bridges may be
expended, subject to the adopted annual budget of the authority, for
any of the following purposes:
(1) Safety and operational costs, including toll collection and
maintenance costs in accordance with Section 188.4.
(2) Costs of bridge construction and improvement projects,
including seismic retrofit and replacement projects, and including
debt service and sinking fund payments on bonds issued by the
authority for those projects. The repayment of any advances from
other state funds may be made from the toll revenue or bond proceeds.
(b) The revenue determined by the authority as derived from the
toll increase approved in 1988, and authorized by Section 30917 for
class I vehicles on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge shall be
used, to the extent specified in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of
Section 30914, for the construction of rail extensions specified in
Section 30914 or for payment of the principal of, and interest on,
bonds issued for those projects, including payments into a sinking
fund maintained for that purpose.
30913. (a) In addition to any other authorized expenditure of toll
bridge revenues, the following major projects may be funded from toll
revenues:
(1) Benicia-Martinez Bridge: Widening of the existing bridge.
(2) Benicia-Martinez Bridge: Construction of an additional span
parallel to the existing bridge.
(3) Carquinez Bridge: Replacement of the existing western span.
(4) Richmond-San Rafael Bridge: Major rehabilitation of the
bridge, and development of a new easterly approach between the toll
plaza and Route 80, near Pinole, known as the Richmond Parkway.
(b) The toll increase approved in 1988, which authorized a uniform
toll of one dollar ($1) for two-axle vehicles on the bridges and
corresponding increases for multi-axle vehicles, resulted in the
following toll increases for two-axle vehicles on the bridges:
1988
Increase
(Two-axle
Bridge vehicles)
Antioch Bridge $0.50
Benicia-Martinez Bridge .60
Carquinez Bridge .60
Dumbarton Bridge .25
Richmond-San Rafael .00
Bridge
San Francisco-Oakland .25
Bay Bridge
San Mateo-Hayward Bridge .25
Portions of the 1988 toll increase were dedicated to transit
purposes, and these amounts shall be calculated as up to 2 percent of
the revenue generated each year by the collection on all bridges of
the base toll at the level established by the 1988 toll increase. The
Metropolitan Transportation Commission shall allocate two-thirds of
these amounts for transportation projects, other than those specified
in Sections 30912 and 30913 and in subdivision (a) of Section 30914,
which are designed to reduce vehicular traffic congestion and
improve bridge operations on any bridge, including, but not limited
to, bicycle facilities and for the planning, construction, operation,
and acquisition of rapid water transit systems. The commission shall
allocate the remaining one-third solely for the planning,
construction, operation, and acquisition of rapid water transit
systems. The plans for the projects may also be funded by these
moneys. Funds made available for rapid water transit systems pursuant
to this subdivision shall be allocated to the San Francisco Bay Area
Water Emergency Transportation Authority beginning on the date
specified in the adopted transition plan developed by the authority
pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 66540.32 of the Government
Code.
(c) The department shall not include, in the plans for the new
Benicia-Martinez Bridge, toll plazas, highways, or other facilities
leading to or from the Benicia-Martinez Bridge, any construction that
would result in the net loss of any wetland acreage.
(d) With respect to the Benicia-Martinez and Carquinez Bridges,
the department shall consider the potential for rail transit as part
of the plans for the new structures specified in paragraphs (2) and
(3) of subdivision (a).
(e) At the time the first of the new bridges specified in
paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (a) is opened to the public,
there shall be a lane for the exclusive use of pedestrians and
bicycles available on at least, but not limited to, the original span
at Benicia or Carquinez, or the additional or replacement spans
planned for those bridges. The design of these bridges shall not
preclude the subsequent addition of a lane for the exclusive use of
pedestrians and bicycles.
30914. (a) In addition to any other authorized expenditures of toll
bridge revenues, the following major projects may be funded from
toll revenues of all bridges:
(1) Dumbarton Bridge: Improvement of the western approaches from
Route 101 if affected local governments are involved in the planning.
(2) San Mateo-Hayward Bridge and approaches: Widening of the
bridge to six lanes, construction of rail transit capital
improvements on the bridge structure, and improvements to the Route
92/Route 880 interchange.
(3) Construction of West Grand connector or an alternate project
designed to provide comparable benefit by reducing vehicular traffic
congestion on the eastern approaches to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay
Bridge. Affected local governments shall be involved in the
planning.
(4) Not less than 90 percent of the revenues determined by the
authority as derived from the toll increase approved in 1988 for
class I vehicles on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge authorized
by Section 30917 shall be used exclusively for rail transit capital
improvements designed to reduce vehicular traffic congestion on that
bridge. This amount shall be calculated as 21 percent of the revenue
generated each year by the collection of the base toll at the level
established by the 1988 increase on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay
Bridge.
(b) Notwithstanding any funding request for the transbay bus
terminal pursuant to Section 31015, the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission shall allocate toll bridge revenues in an annual amount
not to exceed three million dollars ($3,000,000), plus a 3.5-percent
annual increase, to the department or to the Transbay Joint Powers
Authority after the department transfers the title of the Transbay
Terminal Building to that entity, for operation and maintenance
expenditures. This allocation shall be payable from funds transferred
by the Bay Area Toll Authority. This transfer of funds is
subordinate to any obligations of the authority, now or hereafter
existing, having a statutory or first priority lien against the toll
bridge revenues. The first annual 3.5-percent increase shall be made
on July 1, 2004. The transfer is further subject to annual
certification by the department or the Transbay Joint Powers
Authority that the total Transbay Terminal Building operating revenue
is insufficient to pay the cost of operation and maintenance without
the requested funding.
(c) If the voters approve a toll increase in 2004 pursuant to
Section 30921, the authority shall, consistent with the provisions of
subdivisions (d) and (f), fund the projects described in this
subdivision and in subdivision (d) that shall collectively be known
as the Regional Traffic Relief Plan by bonding or transfers to the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission. These projects have been
determined to reduce congestion or to make improvements to travel in
the toll bridge corridors, from toll revenues of all bridges:
(1) BART/MUNI Connection at Embarcadero and Civic Center Stations.
Provide direct access from the BART platform to the MUNI platform at
the above stations and equip new fare gates that are TransLink
ready. Three million dollars ($3,000,000). The project sponsor is
BART.
(2) MUNI Metro Third Street Light Rail Line. Provide funding for
the surface and light rail transit and maintenance facility to
support MUNI Metro Third Street Light Rail service connecting to
Caltrain stations and the E-Line waterfront line. Thirty million
dollars ($30,000,000). The project sponsor is MUNI.
(3) MUNI Waterfront Historic Streetcar Expansion. Provide funding
to rehabilitate historic streetcars and construct trackage and
terminal facilities to support service from the Caltrain Terminal,
the Transbay Terminal, and the Ferry Building, and connecting the
Fisherman's Wharf and northern waterfront. Ten million dollars
($10,000,000). The project sponsor is MUNI.
(4) East to West Bay Commuter Rail Service over the Dumbarton Rail
Bridge. Provide funding for the necessary track and station
improvements and rolling stock to interconnect the BART and Capitol
Corridor at Union City with Caltrain service over the Dumbarton Rail
Bridge, and interconnect and provide track improvements for the ACE
line with the same Caltrain service at Centerville. Provide a new
station at Sun Microsystems in Menlo Park. One hundred thirty-five
million dollars ($135,000,000). The project is jointly sponsored by
the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, Capitol Corridor, and
the Alameda County Transportation Commission.
(5) Vallejo Station. Construct intermodal transportation hub for
bus and ferry service, including parking structure, at site of
Vallejo's current ferry terminal. Twenty-eight million dollars
($28,000,000). The project sponsor is the City of Vallejo.
(6) Solano County Express Bus Intermodal Facilities. Provide
competitive grant fund source, to be administered by the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission. Eligible projects are Curtola Park and
Ride, Benicia Intermodal Facility, Fairfield Transportation Center,
and Vacaville Intermodal Station. Priority to be given to projects
that are fully funded, ready for construction, and serving transit
service that operates primarily on existing or fully funded
high-occupancy vehicle lanes. Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000).
The project sponsor is the Solano Transportation Authority.
(7) Solano County Corridor Improvements near Interstate
80/Interstate 680 Interchange. Provide funding for improved mobility
in corridor based on recommendations of joint study conducted by the
Department of Transportation and the Solano Transportation Authority.
Cost-effective transit infrastructure investment or service
identified in the study shall be considered a high priority. One
hundred million dollars ($100,000,000). The project sponsor is the
Solano Transportation Authority.
(8) Interstate 80: Eastbound High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane
Extension from Route 4 to Carquinez Bridge. Construct HOV-lane
extension. Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000). The project sponsor
is the Department of Transportation.
(9) Richmond Parkway Transit Center. Construct parking structure
and associated improvements to expand bus capacity. Sixteen million
dollars ($16,000,000). The project sponsor is the Alameda-Contra
Costa Transit District, in coordination with West Contra Costa
Transportation Advisory Committee, Western Contra Costa Transit
Authority, City of Richmond, and the Department of Transportation.
(10) Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) Extension to
Larkspur or San Quentin. Extend rail line from San Rafael to a ferry
terminal at Larkspur or San Quentin. Thirty-five million dollars
($35,000,000). Up to five million dollars ($5,000,000) may be used to
study, in collaboration with the Water Transit Authority, the
potential use of San Quentin property as an intermodal water transit
terminal. The project sponsor is SMART.
(11) Greenbrae Interchange/Larkspur Ferry Access Improvements.
Provide enhanced regional and local access around the Greenbrae
Interchange to reduce traffic congestion and provide multimodal
access to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and Larkspur Ferry Terminal
by constructing a new full service diamond interchange at Wornum
Drive south of the Greenbrae Interchange, extending a multiuse
pathway from the new interchange at Wornum Drive to East Sir Francis
Drake Boulevard and the Cal Park Hill rail right-of-way, adding a new
lane to East Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and rehabilitating the Cal
Park Hill Rail Tunnel and right-of-way approaches for bicycle and
pedestrian access to connect the San Rafael Transit Center with the
Larkspur Ferry Terminal. Sixty-five million dollars ($65,000,000).
The project sponsor is the Marin County Congestion Management Agency.
(12) Direct High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane connector from
Interstate 680 to the Pleasant Hill or Walnut Creek BART stations or
in close proximity to either station or as an extension of the
southbound Interstate 680 High-Occupancy Vehicle Lane through the
Interstate 680/State Highway Route 4 interchange from North Main in
Walnut Creek to Livorna Road. The County Connection shall utilize up
to one million dollars ($1,000,000) of the funds described in this
paragraph to develop options and recommendations for providing
express bus service on the Interstate 680 High-Occupancy Vehicle Lane
south of the Benicia Bridge in order to connect to BART. Upon
completion of the plan, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority
shall adopt a preferred alternative provided by the County Connection
plan for future funding. Following adoption of the preferred
alternative, the remaining funds may be expended either to fund the
preferred alternative or to extend the high-occupancy vehicle lane as
described in this paragraph. Fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000).
The project is sponsored by the Contra Costa Transportation
Authority.
(13) Rail Extension to East Contra Costa/E-BART. Extend BART from
Pittsburg/Bay Point Station to Byron in East Contra Costa County.
Ninety-six million dollars ($96,000,000). Project funds may only be
used if the project is in compliance with adopted BART policies with
respect to appropriate land use zoning in vicinity of proposed
stations. The project is jointly sponsored by BART and the Contra
Costa Transportation Authority.
(14) Capitol Corridor Improvements in Interstate 80/Interstate 680
Corridor. Fund track and station improvements, including the Suisun
Third Main Track and new Fairfield Station. Twenty-five million
dollars ($25,000,000). The project sponsor is the Capitol Corridor
Joint Powers Authority and the Solano Transportation Authority.
(15) Central Contra Costa Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Crossover.
Add new track before Pleasant Hill BART Station to permit BART
trains to cross to return track towards San Francisco. Twenty-five
million dollars ($25,000,000). The project sponsor is BART.
(16) Benicia-Martinez Bridge: New Span. Provide partial funding
for completion of new five-lane span between Benicia and Martinez to
significantly increase capacity in the I-680 corridor. Fifty million
dollars ($50,000,000). The project sponsor is the Bay Area Toll
Authority.
(17) Regional Express Bus North. Competitive grant program for bus
service in Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, Carquinez, Benicia-Martinez,
and Antioch Bridge corridors. Provide funding for park and ride lots,
infrastructure improvements, and rolling stock. Eligible recipients
include the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District,
Vallejo Transit, Napa VINE, Fairfield-Suisun Transit, Western Contra
Costa Transit Authority, Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority, and
Central Contra Costa Transit Authority. The Golden Gate Bridge
Highway and Transportation District shall receive a minimum of one
million six hundred thousand dollars ($1,600,000). Napa VINE shall
receive a minimum of two million four hundred thousand dollars
($2,400,000). Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000). The project
sponsor is the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
(18) TransLink. Integrate the bay area's regional smart card
technology, TransLink, with operator fare collection equipment and
expand system to new transit services. Twenty-two million dollars
($22,000,000). The project sponsor is the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission.
(19) Real-Time Transit Information. Provide a competitive grant
program for transit operators for assistance with implementation of
high-technology systems to provide real-time transit information to
riders at transit stops or via telephone, wireless, or Internet
communication. Priority shall be given to projects identified in the
commission's connectivity plan adopted pursuant to subdivision (d) of
Section 30914.5. Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000). The funds
shall be administered by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
(20) Safe Routes to Transit: Plan and construct bicycle and
pedestrian access improvements in close proximity to transit
facilities. Priority shall be given to those projects that best
provide access to regional transit services. Twenty-two million five
hundred thousand dollars ($22,500,000). City Car Share shall receive
two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) to expand its
program within approximately one-quarter mile of transbay regional
transit terminals or stations. The City Car Share project is
sponsored by City Car Share and the Safe Routes to Transit project is
jointly sponsored by the East Bay Bicycle Coalition and the
Transportation and Land Use Coalition. These sponsors must identify a
public agency cosponsor for purposes of specific project fund
allocations.
(21) BART Tube Seismic Strengthening. Add seismic capacity to
existing BART tube connecting the East Bay with San Francisco. One
hundred forty-three million dollars ($143,000,000). The project
sponsor is BART.
(22) Transbay Terminal/Downtown Caltrain Extension. A new Transbay
Terminal at First and Mission Streets in San Francisco providing
added capacity for transbay, regional, local, and intercity bus
services, the extension of Caltrain rail services into the terminal,
and accommodation of a future high-speed passenger rail line to the
terminal and eventual rail connection to the East Bay. Eligible
expenses include project planning, design and engineering,
construction of a new terminal and its associated ramps and tunnels,
demolition of existing structures, design and development of a
temporary terminal, property and right-of-way acquisitions required
for the project, and associated project-related administrative
expenses. A bus- and train-ready terminal facility, including
purchase and acquisition of necessary rights-of-way for the terminal,
ramps, and rail extension, is the first priority for toll funds for
the Transbay Terminal/Downtown Caltrain Extension Project. The
temporary terminal operation shall not exceed five years. One hundred
fifty million dollars ($150,000,000). The project sponsor is the
Transbay Joint Powers Authority.
(23) Oakland Airport Connector. New transit connection to link
BART, Capitol Corridor, and AC Transit with Oakland Airport. The Port
of Oakland shall provide a full funding plan for the connector.
Thirty million dollars ($30,000,000). The project sponsors are the
Port of Oakland and BART.
(24) AC Transit Enhanced Bus-Phase 1 on Telegraph Avenue,
International Boulevard, and East 14th Street (Berkeley-Oakland-San
Leandro). Develop enhanced bus service on these corridors, including
bus bulbs, signal prioritization, new buses, and other improvements.
Priority of investment shall improve the AC connection to BART on
these corridors. Sixty-five million dollars ($65,000,000). The
project sponsor is AC Transit.
(25) Transbay Commute Ferry Service. Purchase two vessels for
transbay ferry services. Second vessel funds to be released upon
demonstration of appropriate terminal locations, new transit-oriented
development, adequate parking, and sufficient landside feeder
connections to support ridership projections. Twelve million dollars
($12,000,000). The project sponsor is the San Francisco Bay Area
Water Emergency Transportation Authority. If the San Francisco Bay
Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority demonstrates to the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission that it has secured
alternative funding for the two vessel purchases described in this
paragraph, the funds may be used for terminal improvements or for
consolidation of existing ferry operations.
(26) Commute Ferry Service for Berkeley/Albany. Purchase two
vessels for ferry services between the Berkeley/Albany Terminal and
San Francisco. Parking access and landside feeder connections must be
sufficient to support ridership projections. Twelve million dollars
($12,000,000). The project sponsor is the San Francisco Bay Area
Water Emergency Transportation Authority. If the San Francisco Bay
Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority demonstrates to the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission that it has secured
alternative funding for the two vessel purchases described in this
paragraph, the funds may be used for terminal improvements. If the
San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority does
not have an entitled terminal site within the Berkeley/Albany
catchment area by 2010 that meets its requirements, the funds
described in this paragraph and the operating funds described in
paragraph (7) of subdivision (d) shall be transferred to another site
in the East Bay. The City of Richmond shall be given first priority
to receive this transfer of funds if it has met the planning
milestones identified in its special study developed pursuant to
paragraph (28).
(27) Commute Ferry Service for South San Francisco. Purchase two
vessels for ferry services to the Peninsula. Parking access and
landside feeder connections must be sufficient to support ridership
projections. Twelve million dollars ($12,000,000). The project
sponsor is the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation
Authority. If the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency
Transportation Authority demonstrates to the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission that it has secured alternative funding for
the two vessel purchases described in this paragraph, the funds may
be used for terminal improvements.
(28) Water Transit Facility Improvements, Spare Vessels, and
Environmental Review Costs. Provide two backup vessels for water
transit services, expand berthing capacity at the Port of San
Francisco, and expand environmental studies and design for eligible
locations. Forty-eight million dollars ($48,000,000). The project
sponsor is the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation
Authority. Up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) of the funds
described in this paragraph shall be made available for the San
Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority to study
accelerating development and other milestones that would potentially
increase ridership at the City of Richmond ferry terminal.
(29) Regional Express Bus Service for San Mateo, Dumbarton, and
Bay Bridge Corridors. Expand park and ride lots, improve HOV access,
construct ramp improvements, and purchase rolling stock. Twenty-two
million dollars ($22,000,000). The project sponsors are AC Transit
and the Alameda County Transportation Commission.
(30) I-880 North Safety Improvements. Reconfigure various ramps on
I-880 and provide appropriate mitigations between 29th Avenue and
16th Avenue. Ten million dollars ($10,000,000). The project sponsors
are the Alameda County Transportation Commission, City of Oakland,
and Department of Transportation.
(31) BART Warm Springs Extension. Extension of the existing BART
system from Fremont to Warm Springs in southern Alameda County.
Ninety-five million dollars ($95,000,000). Up to ten million dollars
($10,000,000) shall be used for grade separation work in the City of
Fremont necessary to extend BART. The project would facilitate a
future rail service extension to the Silicon Valley. The project
sponsor is BART.
(32) I-580 (Tri Valley) Rapid Transit Corridor Improvements.
Provide rail or High-Occupancy Vehicle lane direct connector to
Dublin BART and other improvements on I-580 in Alameda County for use
by express buses. Sixty-five million dollars ($65,000,000). The
project sponsor is the Alameda County Transportation Commission.
(33) Regional Rail Master Plan. Provide planning funds for
integrated regional rail study pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section
30914.5. Six million five hundred thousand dollars ($6,500,000). The
project sponsors are Caltrain and BART.
(34) Integrated Fare Structure Program. Provide planning funds for
the development of zonal monthly transit passes pursuant to
subdivision (e) of Section 30914.5. One million five hundred thousand
dollars ($1,500,000). The project sponsor is the Translink
Consortium.
(35) Transit Commuter Benefits Promotion. Marketing program to
promote tax-saving opportunities for employers and employees as
specified in Section 132(f)(3) or 162(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code. Goal is to increase the participation rate of employers
offering employees a tax-free benefit to commute to work by transit.
The project sponsor is the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
Five million dollars ($5,000,000).
(36) Caldecott Tunnel Improvements. Provide funds to plan and
construct a fourth bore at the Caldecott Tunnel between Contra Costa
and Alameda Counties. The fourth bore will be a two-lane bore with a
shoulder or shoulders north of the current three bores. The County
Connection shall study all feasible alternatives to increase transit
capacity in the westbound corridor of State Highway Route 24 between
State Highway Route 680 and the Caldecott Tunnel, including the study
of the use of an express lane, high-occupancy vehicle lane, and an
auxiliary lane. The cost of the study shall not exceed five hundred
thousand dollars ($500,000) and shall be completed not later than
January 15, 2006. Fifty million five hundred thousand dollars
($50,500,000). The project sponsor is the Contra Costa Transportation
Authority.
(d) Not more than 38 percent of the revenues generated from the
toll increase shall be made available annually for the purpose of
providing operating assistance for transit services as set forth in
the authority's annual budget resolution. The funds shall be made
available to the provider of the transit services subject to the
performance measures described in Section 30914.5. If the funds
cannot be obligated for operating assistance consistent with the
performance measures, these funds shall be obligated for other
operations consistent with this chapter.
Except for operating programs that do not have planned funding
increases and subject to the 38-percent limit on total operating cost
funding in any single year, following the first year of scheduled
operations, an escalation factor, not to exceed 1.5 percent per year,
shall be added to the operating cost funding through the 2015-16
fiscal year, to partially offset increased operating costs. The
escalation factors shall be contained in the operating agreements
described in Section 30914.5. Subject to the limitations of this
paragraph, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission may annually
fund the following operating programs as another component of the
Regional Traffic Relief Plan:
(1) Golden Gate Express Bus Service over the Richmond Bridge
(Route 40). Two million one hundred thousand dollars ($2,100,000).
(2) Napa VINE Service terminating at the Vallejo Intermodal
Terminal. Three hundred ninety thousand dollars ($390,000).
(3) Regional Express Bus North Pool serving the Carquinez and
Benicia Bridge Corridors. Three million four hundred thousand dollars
($3,400,000).
(4) Regional Express Bus South Pool serving the Bay Bridge, San
Mateo Bridge, and Dumbarton Bridge Corridors. Six million five
hundred thousand dollars ($6,500,000).
(5) Dumbarton Rail. Five million five hundred thousand dollars
($5,500,000).
(6) San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation
Authority, Alameda/Oakland/Harbor Bay, Berkeley/Albany, South San
Francisco, Vallejo, or other transbay ferry service. A portion of the
operating funds may be dedicated to landside transit operations.
Fifteen million three hundred thousand dollars ($15,300,000). Funds
historically made available to the City of Vallejo or the City of
Alameda shall continue to be allocated to those cities until the date
specified in the adopted transition plan developed by the San
Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority pursuant
to subdivision (b) of Section 66540.32 of the Government Code. The
authority may use up to six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000) to
support development of the transition plan and for transition-related
costs, including, but not limited to, reasonable administrative
costs incurred by the authority and transferring agencies on or after
July 1, 2008, in accordance with subdivision (e) of Section 66540.11
of the Government Code, upon a determination by the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission that these costs are reasonable and
substantially the result of the transition. After adoption of the
transition plan and after formal agreement by the Cities of Alameda
and Vallejo to transition their ferry services to the authority in
accordance with the transition plan, the authority may use additional
funds, above the limits previously referenced in this paragraph, for
transition and transition-related activities, incurred before or
after the actual transfer of services, as specified in the transition
plan and approved by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. The
authority may utilize funds from this section for operation of the
services transferred from the City of Vallejo or the City of Alameda
if approved by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
(7) Owl Bus Service on BART Corridor. One million eight hundred
thousand dollars ($1,800,000).
(8) MUNI Metro Third Street Light Rail Line. Two million five
hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) without escalation.
(9) AC Transit Enhanced Bus Service on Telegraph Avenue,
International Boulevard, and East 14th Street in Berkeley-Oakland-San
Leandro. Three million dollars ($3,000,000) without escalation.
(10) TransLink, three-year operating program. Twenty million
dollars ($20,000,000) without escalation.
(11) San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation
Authority, regional planning and operations. Three million dollars
($3,000,000) without escalation.
(e) For all projects authorized under subdivision (c), the project
sponsor shall submit an initial project report to the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission before July 1, 2004. This report shall
include all information required to describe the project in detail,
including the status of any environmental documents relevant to the
project, additional funds required to fully fund the project, the
amount, if any, of funds expended to date, and a summary of any
impediments to the completion of the project. This report, or an
updated report, shall include a detailed financial plan and shall
notify the commission if the project sponsor will request toll
revenue within the subsequent 12 months. The project sponsor shall
update this report as needed or requested by the commission. No funds
shall be allocated by the commission for any project authorized by
subdivision (c) until the project sponsor submits the initial project
report, and the report is reviewed and approved by the commission.
If multiple project sponsors are listed for projects listed in
subdivision (c), the commission shall identify a lead sponsor in
coordination with all identified sponsors, for purposes of allocating
funds. For any projects authorized under subdivision
(c), the commission shall have
the option of requiring a memorandum of understanding between itself
and the project sponsor or sponsors that shall include any specific
requirements that must be met prior to the allocation of funds
provided under subdivision (c).
(f) The Metropolitan Transportation Commission shall annually
assess the status of programs and projects and shall allocate a
portion of funding made available under Section 30921 or 30958 for
public information and advertising to support the services and
projects identified in subdivisions (c) and (d). If a program or
project identified in subdivision (c) has cost savings after
completion, taking into account construction costs and an estimate of
future settlement claims, or cannot be completed or cannot continue
due to delivery or financing obstacles making the completion or
continuation of the program or project unrealistic, the commission
shall consult with the program or project sponsor. After consulting
with the sponsor, the commission shall hold a public hearing
concerning the program or project. After the hearing, the commission
may vote to modify the program or the project's scope, decrease its
level of funding, or reassign some or all of the funds to another
project within the same bridge corridor. If a program or project
identified in subdivision (c) is to be implemented with other funds
not derived from tolls, the commission shall follow the same
consultation and hearing process described above and may vote
thereafter to reassign the funds to another project consistent with
the intent of this chapter. If an operating program or project as
identified in subdivision (d) cannot achieve its performance
objectives described in subdivision (a) of Section 30914.5 or cannot
continue due to delivery or financing obstacles making the completion
or continuation of the program or project unrealistic, the
commission shall consult with the program or the project sponsor.
After consulting with the sponsor, the commission shall hold a public
hearing concerning the program or project. After the hearing, the
commission may vote to modify the program or the project's scope,
decrease its level of funding, or to reassign some or all of the
funds to another or an additional regional transit program or project
within the same corridor. If a program or project does not meet the
required performance measures, the commission shall give the sponsor
a time certain to achieve the performance measures before reassigning
its funding.
(g) If the voters approve a toll increase pursuant to Section
30921, the authority shall within 24 months of the election date
include the projects in a long-range plan that are consistent with
the commission's findings required by this section and Section
30914.5. The authority shall update its long-range plan as required
to maintain its viability as a strategic plan for funding projects
authorized by this section. The authority shall, by January 1, 2007,
submit its updated long-range plan to the transportation policy
committee of each house of the Legislature for review.
(h) If the voters approve a toll increase pursuant to Section
30921, and if additional funds from this toll increase are available
following the funding obligations of subdivisions (c) and (d), the
authority may set aside a reserve to fund future rolling stock
replacement to enhance the sustainability of the services enumerated
in subdivision (d). The authority shall, by January 1, 2020, submit a
20-year toll bridge expenditure plan to the Legislature for
adoption. This expenditure plan shall have, as its highest priority,
replacement of transit vehicles purchased pursuant to subdivision
(c).
30914.1. Funding of the TransLink operating program in the amount
of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall be made pursuant to
paragraph (10) of subdivision (d) of Section 30914 without regard to
the three-year limitation stated therein.
30914.5. (a) Prior to the allocation of revenue for transit
operating assistance under subdivision (d) of Section 30914, the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission shall adopt performance
measures related to fare-box recovery, ridership, and other
performance measures as needed. The performance measures shall be
developed in consultation with the affected transit operators and the
commission's advisory council.
(b) The Metropolitan Transportation Commission shall execute an
operating agreement with the sponsors of the projects described in
subdivision (d) of Section 30914. This agreement shall include, at a
minimum, a fully funded operating plan that conforms to and is
consistent with the adopted performance measures. The agreement shall
also include a schedule of projected fare revenues or other
operating revenues to indicate that the service is viable in the near
term and is expected to meet the adopted performance measures in
future years. For any individual project sponsor, this operating
agreement may include additional requirements, as determined by the
commission, to be met prior to the allocation of transit assistance
under subdivision (d) of Section 30914.
(c) Prior to the annual allocation of transit operating assistance
funds by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission pursuant to
subdivision (d) of Section 30914, the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission shall conduct, or shall require the sponsoring agency to
conduct, an independent audit that contains audited financial
information, including an opinion on the status and cost of the
project and its compliance with the approved performance measures.
Notwithstanding this requirement, each operator shall be given a
one-year trial period to operate new service. In the first year of
new service, the sponsor shall develop a reporting and accounting
structure for the performance measures. Commencing with the third
operating year, sponsors shall be subject to the approved performance
measures.
(d) The Metropolitan Transportation Commission shall adopt a
regional transit connectivity plan by May 1, 2006. The connectivity
plan shall be incorporated into the commission's Transit Coordination
Implementation Plan pursuant to Section 66516.5 of the Government
Code. The connectivity plan shall require operators to comply with
the plan utilizing commission authority pursuant to Section 66516.5
of the Government Code. The commission shall consult with the
Partnership Transit Coordination Council in developing a plan that
identifies and evaluates opportunities for improving transit
connectivity and shall include, but not be limited to, the following
components:
(1) A network of key transit hubs connecting regional rapid
transit services to one another, and to feeder transit services.
"Regional rapid transit" means long-haul transit service that crosses
county lines, and operates mostly in dedicated rights-of-way,
including freeway high-occupancy vehicle lanes, crossing a bridge, or
on the bay. The identified transit hubs shall operate either as a
timed transfer network or as pulsed hub connections, providing
regularly scheduled connections between two or more transit lines.
(2) Physical infrastructure and right-of-way improvements
necessary to improve system reliability and connections at transit
hubs. Physical infrastructure improvements may include, but are not
limited to, improved rail-to-rail transfer facilities, including
cross-platform transfers, and intermodal transit improvements that
facilitate rail-to-bus, rail-to-ferry, ferry-to-ferry, ferry-to-bus,
and bus-to-bus transfers. Capital improvements identified in the plan
shall be eligible for funding in the commission's regional
transportation plan.
(3) Regional standards and procedures to ensure maximum
coordination of schedule connections to minimize transfer times
between transit lines at key transit hubs, including, but not limited
to, the following:
(A) Policies and procedures for improved fare collection.
(B) Enhanced trip-planning services, including Internet-based
programs, telephone information systems, and printed schedules.
(C) Enhanced schedule coordination through the implementation of
real-time transit-vehicle location systems that facilitate
communication between systems and result in improved timed transfers
between routes.
(D) Performance measures and data collection to monitor the
performance of the connectivity plan.
The connectivity plan shall focus on, but not be limited to,
feeder transit lines connecting to regional rapid transit services,
and the connection of regional rapid transit services to one another.
The connectivity plan shall be adopted following a Metropolitan
Transportation Commission public hearing at least 60 days prior to
adoption. The commission shall adopt performance measures and collect
appropriate data to monitor the performance of the connectivity
plan. The plan shall be evaluated every three years by the commission
as part of the update to its regional transportation plan. No agency
shall be eligible to receive funds under this section unless the
agency is a participant operator in the commission's regional transit
connectivity plan.
The provisions of this subdivision shall only be effective if the
voters approve the toll increase as set forth in Section 30921, and
the expenditures incurred by the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission up to five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) that are
related to the requirements of this subdivision, including any study,
shall be reimbursed from toll revenues identified in paragraph (33)
of subdivision (c) of Section 30914.
(e) The TransLink Consortium, per the TransLink Interagency
Participation Agreement, shall, by July 1, 2008, develop a plan for
an integrated fare program covering all regional rapid transit trips
funded in full or in part by this section. "Regional rapid transit"
means long-haul transit services that cross county lines, and operate
mostly in dedicated rights-of-way, including freeway high-occupancy
vehicle lanes, crossing a bridge, or on the bay. Interregional rail
services, originating or terminating from outside the Bay Area, shall
not be considered regional rapid transit. The purpose of the
integrated fare program is to encourage greater use of the region's
transit network by making it easier and less costly for transit
riders whose regular commute involves multizonal travel and may
involve the transfer between two or more transit agencies, including
regional-to-regional and regional-to-local transfers. The integrated
fare program shall include a zonal fare system for the sole purpose
of creating a monthly zonal pass (monthly pass), allowing for
unlimited or discounted fares for transit riders making a minimum
number of monthly transit trips between two or more zones. The number
of minimum trips shall be established by the plan. The integrated
fare program shall not apply to fare structures that are not
purchased on a monthly basis. For the purposes of these zonal fares,
geographic zones shall be created in the Bay Area. To the extent
practical, zone boundaries for overlapping systems shall be in the
same places and shall correspond to the boundaries of the local
transit service areas. A regional rapid transit zone may cover more
than one local service area, or may subdivide an existing local
service area. The monthly pass shall be created in at least the
following two forms:
(1) For the use of interzonal regional rapid transit trips without
local transit discounts.
(2) For the use of interzonal regional rapid transit trips with
local transit discounts. The plan may recommend the elimination of
existing transit pass arrangements to simplify the marketing of the
monthly pass. The integrated fare program shall establish a
monitoring program to evaluate the impact of the integrated fare
program on the operating finances of the participating agencies. The
integrated fare program shall be adjusted as necessary to ensure that
the program does not jeopardize the viability of local or regional
rapid transit routes impacted by the program, and to the extent
feasible, provide an equitable revenue-sharing arrangement among the
participating agencies. This subdivision shall only be effective if
the voters approve the toll increase as set forth in Section 30921,
and any expenditures related to the implementation of this
subdivision incurred by the TransLink Consortium shall be reimbursed
by toll revenues designated in paragraph (34) of subdivision (c) of
Section 30914.
(f) The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) shall, by
September 29, 2007, adopt a Bay Area Regional Rail Plan (plan) for
the development of passenger rail services in the San Francisco Bay
Area over the short, medium, and long term. Up to six million dollars
($6,000,000) of the funds described in paragraph (33) of subdivision
(c) of Section 30914 may be expended by MTC, the San Francisco Bay
Area Rapid Transit District (BART), and the Peninsula Corridor Joint
Powers Board (Caltrain) for the plan. A project management team
comprised of staff from MTC, Caltrain, the High-Speed Rail Authority,
and BART shall provide day-to-day project management of the
technical development of the plan. The plan shall formulate
strategies to integrate passenger rail systems, improve interfaces
with connecting services, expand the regional rapid transit network,
and coordinate investments with transit-supportive land use. The plan
shall be directed by a steering committee consisting of appointees
from the Department of Transportation (Caltrans), BART, Caltrain, the
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), the Capitol
Corridor Joint Powers Authority, the Altamont Commuter Express, the
High-Speed Rail Authority, MTC, the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit
District (SMART), the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority,
the Solano Transportation Authority, the Association of Bay Area
Governments, the Transbay Joint Powers Authority, the Port of
Oakland, the Alameda County Transportation Commission, the Contra
Costa Transportation Authority, the Transportation Authority of
Marin, the Napa County Transportation Planning Agency, the San
Francisco County Transportation Authority, the San Mateo City-County
Association of Governments, the San Francisco Municipal
Transportation Agency, and the owners of standard gauge rail. Under
direction from the steering committee and with input from Bay Area
transit agencies, MTC shall act as the fiscal agent for the study and
oversee consultant contracts on behalf of the project management
team. The plan proposals shall be evaluated using performance
criteria, including, but not limited to, transit-supportive land use
and access, ridership, cost-effectiveness, regional network
connectivity, and capital and operating financial stability.
Additional performance criteria shall be developed as necessary. The
plan shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(1) Identification of issues in connectivity, access, capacity,
operations, and cost-effectiveness.
(2) Identification of opportunities to enhance rail connectivity
and to maximize passenger convenience when transferring between
systems, including the study of the feasibility and construction of
an intermodal transfer hub at Niles (Shinn Street) Junction.
(3) Recommendation of improvements to the interface with shuttles,
buses, other rail systems, and other feeder modes.
(4) Identification of potential impacts on capacity constraints
and operations on existing passenger and freight carriers.
(5) Identification of bottlenecks where added capacity could
cost-effectively increase performance.
(6) Recommendation of potential efficiency improvements through
economies of scale, such as through joint vehicle procurement and
maintenance facilities.
(7) Recommendation of strategies to acquire right-of-way and
station property to preserve future service options.
(8) Identification of potential capital and operating funding
sources for proposed actions.
(9) Identification of locations where the presence of passenger
rail could stimulate redevelopment and thereby direct growth to the
urban core.
(10) Recommendation of technology-appropriate service expansion in
specific corridors. Technologies to be considered include
conventional rail transit modes, bus rapid transit, and emerging rail
technologies. Identify phasing strategies for the implementation of
rail services where appropriate.
(11) Examination of how recommendations would integrate with
proposed high-speed rail to the Central Valley and southern
California. The intent of this element of the study is to help reduce
the number of alternatives that the High-Speed Rail Authority would
need to evaluate as part of any follow-on environmental assessment of
future high-speed rail system access to the Bay Area. Selection of a
preferred alignment for the Bay Area shall remain the responsibility
of the High-Speed Rail Authority pursuant to Section 185032 of the
Public Utilities Code.
(12) Recommendation of a governance strategy to implement and
operate future regional rail services.
This subdivision shall only be effective if the voters approve the
toll increase as set forth in Section 30921. Any expenditures
incurred by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission or the project
sponsors identified in paragraph (33) of subdivision (c) of Section
30914 related to the requirements of this subdivision, including any
study and administration, shall be appropriate charges against toll
revenue to be reimbursed from toll revenues.
30915. With respect to all construction and improvement projects
specified in Sections 30913 and 30914, project sponsors and the
department shall seek funding from all other potential sources,
including, but not limited to, the State Highway Account and federal
matching funds. The project sponsors and department shall report to
the authority concerning the funds obtained under this section.
30916. (a) The base toll rate for vehicles crossing the state-owned
toll bridges within the geographic jurisdiction of the commission as
of January 1, 2003, is as follows:
Number of Axles Toll
Two axles $1.00
Three axles 3.00
Four axles 5.25
Five axles 8.25
Six axles 9.00
Seven axles & more 10.50
(b) If the voters approve a toll increase, pursuant to Section
30921, commencing July 1, 2004, the base toll rate for vehicles
crossing the bridges described in subdivision (a) is as follows:
Number of axles Toll
Two axles $ 2.00
Three axles 4.00
Four axles 6.25
Five axles 9.25
Six axles 10.00
Seven axles & more 11.50
(c) The authority shall increase the amount of the toll only if
required to meet its obligations on any bonds or to satisfy its
covenants under any bond resolution or indenture. The authority shall
hold a public hearing before adopting a toll schedule reflecting the
increased toll charge.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the
adoption of either a discounted commute rate for two-axle vehicles or
of special provisions for high-occupancy vehicles under terms and
conditions prescribed by the authority in consultation with the
department.
30917. Pursuant to a special election in 1988 held in the City and
County of San Francisco and the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa,
Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Solano, the voters approved a
uniform toll charge of one dollar ($1) for class I vehicles crossing
the state-owned toll bridges within the geographic jurisdiction of
the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Except as provided in
Section 30914, the revenue derived from that toll increase shall be
used to finance capital outlay for bridge construction and major
bridge improvements as is fiscally practicable.
30918. (a) It is the intention of the Legislature to maintain tolls
on all of the bridges specified in Section 30910 at rates sufficient
to meet any obligation to the holders of bonds secured by the bridge
toll revenues. The authority shall retain authority to set the toll
schedule as may be necessary to meet those bond obligations. The
authority shall provide at least 30 days' notice to the
transportation policy committee of each house of the Legislature and
shall hold a public hearing before adopting a toll schedule
reflecting the increased toll rate.
(b) The authority shall increase the toll rates specified in the
adopted toll schedule in order to meet its obligations and covenants
under any bond resolution or indenture of the authority for any
outstanding toll bridge revenue bonds issued by the authority and the
requirements of any constituent instruments defining the rights of
holders of related obligations of the authority entered into pursuant
to Section 5922 of the Government Code and, notwithstanding Section
30887 or subdivision (c) of Section 30916 of this code, or any other
law, may increase the toll rates specified in the adopted toll
schedule to provide funds for the planning, design, construction,
operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, rehabilitation, and
seismic retrofit of the state-owned toll bridges specified in Section
30910 of this code, to provide funding to meet the requirements of
Sections 30884 and 30911 of this code, and to provide funding to meet
the requirements of voter-approved regional measures pursuant to
Sections 30914 and 30921 of this code.
(c) The authority's toll structure for the state-owned toll
bridges specified in Section 30910 may vary from bridge to bridge and
may include discounts for vehicles classified by the authority as
high-occupancy vehicles, notwithstanding any other law.
(d) If the authority establishes high-occupancy vehicle lane fee
discounts or access for vehicles classified by the authority as
high-occupancy vehicles for any bridge, the authority shall
collaborate with the department to reach agreement on how the
occupancy requirements shall apply on each segment of highway that
connects with that bridge.
(e) All tolls referred to in this section and Sections 30916,
31010, and 31011 may be treated by the authority as a single revenue
source for accounting and administrative purposes and for the
purposes of any bond indenture or resolution and any agreement
entered into pursuant to Section 5922 of the Government Code.
(f) It is the intent of the Legislature that the authority should
consider the needs and requirements of both its electronic and
cash-paying customers when it designates toll payment options at the
toll plazas for the toll bridges under its jurisdiction.
30919. (a) Consistent with its adopted regional transportation
plan, after the requirements for debt service on the outstanding toll
bridge revenue bonds have been met, the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission shall allocate the revenues identified in subdivision (b)
of Section 30913 to eligible public entities and to the department.
(b) The revenues expended pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision
(a) of Section 30914 shall be expended on rail extension and
improvement projects designed to reduce vehicular traffic congestion
on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Seventy percent of the
revenues shall be expended on rail extensions and improvement
projects in the Counties of Alameda and Contra Costa, including, but
not limited to, extending the regional rail system in the
Concord-Antioch, Fremont-San Jose, and the Bayfair-Livermore rail
transit corridors. The remaining 30 percent shall be expended on rail
extensions and improvement projects in the City and County of San
Francisco and the Counties of San Mateo and Santa Clara.
(c) The Metropolitan Transportation Commission may commit to
multiyear allocations and expenditures for projects over extended
time periods to maximize funding opportunities and project progress.
30920. The authority may issue toll bridge revenue bonds to finance
any or all of the projects, including those specified in Sections
30913 and 30914, if the issuance of the bonds does not adversely
affect the minimum amount of toll revenue proceeds designated in
Section 30913 and in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of, and
subdivision (b) of, Section 30914 for rail extension and improvement
projects and transit projects to reduce vehicular traffic. A
determination of the authority that a specific project or projects
shall have no adverse effect will be binding and conclusive in all
respects.
30921. (a) The toll rate for vehicles crossing the bridges
described in Section 30916 shall not be increased to the rate
described in subdivision (b) of Section 30916 prior to the
availability of the results of a special election to be held in the
City and County of San Francisco and the Counties of Alameda, Contra
Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Solano to determine whether
the residents of those counties and of the City and County of San
Francisco approve a toll increase in the amount of one dollar ($1)
per vehicle. The revenue derived from this toll increase shall be
used to finance capital outlay for construction improvements, the
acquisition of transit vehicles, transit operating assistance, and
other improvement projects to reduce congestion and to improve travel
options on the bridge corridors as is fiscally practicable.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the Elections Code, the board
of supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco and of each
of the counties described in subdivision (a) shall call a special
election to be conducted in the City and County of San Francisco and
in each of the counties that shall be consolidated with the March 2,
2004, primary election. The following question shall be submitted to
the voters as Regional Measure 2 and stated separately in the ballot
from state and local measures: "Shall voters authorize a Regional
Traffic Relief Plan that does the following:
(1) Directs revenues generated through the collection of bridge
tolls to provide the following projects:
(A) Expand and extend BART.
(B) New transbay commuter rail crossing south of the San
Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
(C) Comprehensive Regional Express bus network.
(D) New expanded ferry service.
(E) Better connections between BART, buses, ferries, and rail.
(2) Approves a one dollar ($1) toll increase effective July 1,
2004, on all toll bridges in the bay area, except the Golden Gate
Bridge "
(c) The ballot pamphlet for the special election described in
subdivision (b) shall include a detailed description of the Regional
Traffic Relief Plan detailing the projects, services, and planning
requirements set forth in subdivisions (c) and (d) of Section 30914
and subdivisions (d), (e), and (f) of Section 30914.5. The
Metropolitan Transportation Commission shall prepare this description
of the Regional Traffic Relief Plan.
(d) The county clerks shall report the results of the special
election to the authority. If a majority of all voters voting on the
question at the special election vote affirmatively, the authority
shall adopt the increased toll schedule to be effective July 1, 2004.
(e) If a majority of all the voters voting on the question at the
special election do not approve the toll increase, the authority may
by resolution resubmit the measure to the voters at a subsequent
general election. If a majority of all of the voters vote
affirmatively on the measure, the authority may adopt the toll
increase and establish its effective date and establish the
completion dates for all reports and studies required by Sections
30914, 30914.5, and 30950.3.
(f) The authority shall reimburse each county and city and county
participating in the election for the incremental cost of submitting
the measure to the voters. These costs shall be reimbursed from
revenues derived from the tolls if the measure is approved by the
voters, or, if the measure is not approved, from any bridge toll
revenues administered by the authority.
(g) Except as provided in Section 30918, the toll rates contained
in a toll schedule adopted by the authority pursuant to this section
shall not be changed without statutory authorization by the
Legislature.
30922. Any action or proceeding to contest, question, or deny the
validity of the toll increase provided for in this chapter, the
financing of the transportation program contemplated by this chapter,
the issuance of any bonds secured by those tolls, or any of the
proceedings in relation thereto, shall be commenced within 60 days
from the date of the election at which the toll increase is approved.
After that date, the financing of the program, the issuance of the
bonds, and all proceedings in relation thereto, including the
adoption, approval, and collection of the toll increase, shall be
held valid and incontestable in every respect.
30910. (a) The state-owned toll bridges within the geographic
jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission are the
following bridges:
(1) Antioch Bridge.
(2) Benicia-Martinez Bridge.
(3) Carquinez Bridges.
(4) Dumbarton Bridge.
(5) Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
(6) San Mateo-Hayward Bridge.
(7) San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
(b) The Antioch Bridge, the Benicia-Martinez Bridge, the Carquinez
Bridges, and the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge are at times classified
as the northern bridge unit, and the Dumbarton Bridge, the San
Mateo-Hayward Bridge, and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge are at
times classified as the southern bridge unit. For purposes of
operation, rehabilitation, maintenance, and financing, all of the
bridges are classified as a single enterprise.
30910.5. "Authority" means the Bay Area Toll Authority.
30911. (a) The authority shall control and maintain the Bay Area
Toll Account and other subaccounts it deems necessary and appropriate
to document toll revenue and operating expenditures in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles.
(b) (1) After the requirements of any bond resolution or indenture
of the authority for any outstanding revenue bonds have been met,
the authority shall transfer on a regularly scheduled basis as set
forth in the authority's annual budget resolution, the revenues
defined in subdivision (b) of Section 30913 and Section 30914 to the
commission. The funds transferred are continuously appropriated to
the commission to expend for the purposes specified in subdivision
(b) of Section 30913 and Section 30914.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), the revenues defined in
subdivision (b) of Section 30913 and subdivision (a) of Section 30914
include all revenues accruing since January 1, 1989.
30912. (a) Revenue derived from tolls on all bridges may be
expended, subject to the adopted annual budget of the authority, for
any of the following purposes:
(1) Safety and operational costs, including toll collection and
maintenance costs in accordance with Section 188.4.
(2) Costs of bridge construction and improvement projects,
including seismic retrofit and replacement projects, and including
debt service and sinking fund payments on bonds issued by the
authority for those projects. The repayment of any advances from
other state funds may be made from the toll revenue or bond proceeds.
(b) The revenue determined by the authority as derived from the
toll increase approved in 1988, and authorized by Section 30917 for
class I vehicles on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge shall be
used, to the extent specified in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of
Section 30914, for the construction of rail extensions specified in
Section 30914 or for payment of the principal of, and interest on,
bonds issued for those projects, including payments into a sinking
fund maintained for that purpose.
30913. (a) In addition to any other authorized expenditure of toll
bridge revenues, the following major projects may be funded from toll
revenues:
(1) Benicia-Martinez Bridge: Widening of the existing bridge.
(2) Benicia-Martinez Bridge: Construction of an additional span
parallel to the existing bridge.
(3) Carquinez Bridge: Replacement of the existing western span.
(4) Richmond-San Rafael Bridge: Major rehabilitation of the
bridge, and development of a new easterly approach between the toll
plaza and Route 80, near Pinole, known as the Richmond Parkway.
(b) The toll increase approved in 1988, which authorized a uniform
toll of one dollar ($1) for two-axle vehicles on the bridges and
corresponding increases for multi-axle vehicles, resulted in the
following toll increases for two-axle vehicles on the bridges:
1988
Increase
(Two-axle
Bridge vehicles)
Antioch Bridge $0.50
Benicia-Martinez Bridge .60
Carquinez Bridge .60
Dumbarton Bridge .25
Richmond-San Rafael .00
Bridge
San Francisco-Oakland .25
Bay Bridge
San Mateo-Hayward Bridge .25
Portions of the 1988 toll increase were dedicated to transit
purposes, and these amounts shall be calculated as up to 2 percent of
the revenue generated each year by the collection on all bridges of
the base toll at the level established by the 1988 toll increase. The
Metropolitan Transportation Commission shall allocate two-thirds of
these amounts for transportation projects, other than those specified
in Sections 30912 and 30913 and in subdivision (a) of Section 30914,
which are designed to reduce vehicular traffic congestion and
improve bridge operations on any bridge, including, but not limited
to, bicycle facilities and for the planning, construction, operation,
and acquisition of rapid water transit systems. The commission shall
allocate the remaining one-third solely for the planning,
construction, operation, and acquisition of rapid water transit
systems. The plans for the projects may also be funded by these
moneys. Funds made available for rapid water transit systems pursuant
to this subdivision shall be allocated to the San Francisco Bay Area
Water Emergency Transportation Authority beginning on the date
specified in the adopted transition plan developed by the authority
pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 66540.32 of the Government
Code.
(c) The department shall not include, in the plans for the new
Benicia-Martinez Bridge, toll plazas, highways, or other facilities
leading to or from the Benicia-Martinez Bridge, any construction that
would result in the net loss of any wetland acreage.
(d) With respect to the Benicia-Martinez and Carquinez Bridges,
the department shall consider the potential for rail transit as part
of the plans for the new structures specified in paragraphs (2) and
(3) of subdivision (a).
(e) At the time the first of the new bridges specified in
paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (a) is opened to the public,
there shall be a lane for the exclusive use of pedestrians and
bicycles available on at least, but not limited to, the original span
at Benicia or Carquinez, or the additional or replacement spans
planned for those bridges. The design of these bridges shall not
preclude the subsequent addition of a lane for the exclusive use of
pedestrians and bicycles.
30914. (a) In addition to any other authorized expenditures of toll
bridge revenues, the following major projects may be funded from
toll revenues of all bridges:
(1) Dumbarton Bridge: Improvement of the western approaches from
Route 101 if affected local governments are involved in the planning.
(2) San Mateo-Hayward Bridge and approaches: Widening of the
bridge to six lanes, construction of rail transit capital
improvements on the bridge structure, and improvements to the Route
92/Route 880 interchange.
(3) Construction of West Grand connector or an alternate project
designed to provide comparable benefit by reducing vehicular traffic
congestion on the eastern approaches to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay
Bridge. Affected local governments shall be involved in the
planning.
(4) Not less than 90 percent of the revenues determined by the
authority as derived from the toll increase approved in 1988 for
class I vehicles on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge authorized
by Section 30917 shall be used exclusively for rail transit capital
improvements designed to reduce vehicular traffic congestion on that
bridge. This amount shall be calculated as 21 percent of the revenue
generated each year by the collection of the base toll at the level
established by the 1988 increase on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay
Bridge.
(b) Notwithstanding any funding request for the transbay bus
terminal pursuant to Section 31015, the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission shall allocate toll bridge revenues in an annual amount
not to exceed three million dollars ($3,000,000), plus a 3.5-percent
annual increase, to the department or to the Transbay Joint Powers
Authority after the department transfers the title of the Transbay
Terminal Building to that entity, for operation and maintenance
expenditures. This allocation shall be payable from funds transferred
by the Bay Area Toll Authority. This transfer of funds is
subordinate to any obligations of the authority, now or hereafter
existing, having a statutory or first priority lien against the toll
bridge revenues. The first annual 3.5-percent increase shall be made
on July 1, 2004. The transfer is further subject to annual
certification by the department or the Transbay Joint Powers
Authority that the total Transbay Terminal Building operating revenue
is insufficient to pay the cost of operation and maintenance without
the requested funding.
(c) If the voters approve a toll increase in 2004 pursuant to
Section 30921, the authority shall, consistent with the provisions of
subdivisions (d) and (f), fund the projects described in this
subdivision and in subdivision (d) that shall collectively be known
as the Regional Traffic Relief Plan by bonding or transfers to the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission. These projects have been
determined to reduce congestion or to make improvements to travel in
the toll bridge corridors, from toll revenues of all bridges:
(1) BART/MUNI Connection at Embarcadero and Civic Center Stations.
Provide direct access from the BART platform to the MUNI platform at
the above stations and equip new fare gates that are TransLink
ready. Three million dollars ($3,000,000). The project sponsor is
BART.
(2) MUNI Metro Third Street Light Rail Line. Provide funding for
the surface and light rail transit and maintenance facility to
support MUNI Metro Third Street Light Rail service connecting to
Caltrain stations and the E-Line waterfront line. Thirty million
dollars ($30,000,000). The project sponsor is MUNI.
(3) MUNI Waterfront Historic Streetcar Expansion. Provide funding
to rehabilitate historic streetcars and construct trackage and
terminal facilities to support service from the Caltrain Terminal,
the Transbay Terminal, and the Ferry Building, and connecting the
Fisherman's Wharf and northern waterfront. Ten million dollars
($10,000,000). The project sponsor is MUNI.
(4) East to West Bay Commuter Rail Service over the Dumbarton Rail
Bridge. Provide funding for the necessary track and station
improvements and rolling stock to interconnect the BART and Capitol
Corridor at Union City with Caltrain service over the Dumbarton Rail
Bridge, and interconnect and provide track improvements for the ACE
line with the same Caltrain service at Centerville. Provide a new
station at Sun Microsystems in Menlo Park. One hundred thirty-five
million dollars ($135,000,000). The project is jointly sponsored by
the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, Capitol Corridor, and
the Alameda County Transportation Commission.
(5) Vallejo Station. Construct intermodal transportation hub for
bus and ferry service, including parking structure, at site of
Vallejo's current ferry terminal. Twenty-eight million dollars
($28,000,000). The project sponsor is the City of Vallejo.
(6) Solano County Express Bus Intermodal Facilities. Provide
competitive grant fund source, to be administered by the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission. Eligible projects are Curtola Park and
Ride, Benicia Intermodal Facility, Fairfield Transportation Center,
and Vacaville Intermodal Station. Priority to be given to projects
that are fully funded, ready for construction, and serving transit
service that operates primarily on existing or fully funded
high-occupancy vehicle lanes. Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000).
The project sponsor is the Solano Transportation Authority.
(7) Solano County Corridor Improvements near Interstate
80/Interstate 680 Interchange. Provide funding for improved mobility
in corridor based on recommendations of joint study conducted by the
Department of Transportation and the Solano Transportation Authority.
Cost-effective transit infrastructure investment or service
identified in the study shall be considered a high priority. One
hundred million dollars ($100,000,000). The project sponsor is the
Solano Transportation Authority.
(8) Interstate 80: Eastbound High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane
Extension from Route 4 to Carquinez Bridge. Construct HOV-lane
extension. Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000). The project sponsor
is the Department of Transportation.
(9) Richmond Parkway Transit Center. Construct parking structure
and associated improvements to expand bus capacity. Sixteen million
dollars ($16,000,000). The project sponsor is the Alameda-Contra
Costa Transit District, in coordination with West Contra Costa
Transportation Advisory Committee, Western Contra Costa Transit
Authority, City of Richmond, and the Department of Transportation.
(10) Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) Extension to
Larkspur or San Quentin. Extend rail line from San Rafael to a ferry
terminal at Larkspur or San Quentin. Thirty-five million dollars
($35,000,000). Up to five million dollars ($5,000,000) may be used to
study, in collaboration with the Water Transit Authority, the
potential use of San Quentin property as an intermodal water transit
terminal. The project sponsor is SMART.
(11) Greenbrae Interchange/Larkspur Ferry Access Improvements.
Provide enhanced regional and local access around the Greenbrae
Interchange to reduce traffic congestion and provide multimodal
access to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and Larkspur Ferry Terminal
by constructing a new full service diamond interchange at Wornum
Drive south of the Greenbrae Interchange, extending a multiuse
pathway from the new interchange at Wornum Drive to East Sir Francis
Drake Boulevard and the Cal Park Hill rail right-of-way, adding a new
lane to East Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and rehabilitating the Cal
Park Hill Rail Tunnel and right-of-way approaches for bicycle and
pedestrian access to connect the San Rafael Transit Center with the
Larkspur Ferry Terminal. Sixty-five million dollars ($65,000,000).
The project sponsor is the Marin County Congestion Management Agency.
(12) Direct High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane connector from
Interstate 680 to the Pleasant Hill or Walnut Creek BART stations or
in close proximity to either station or as an extension of the
southbound Interstate 680 High-Occupancy Vehicle Lane through the
Interstate 680/State Highway Route 4 interchange from North Main in
Walnut Creek to Livorna Road. The County Connection shall utilize up
to one million dollars ($1,000,000) of the funds described in this
paragraph to develop options and recommendations for providing
express bus service on the Interstate 680 High-Occupancy Vehicle Lane
south of the Benicia Bridge in order to connect to BART. Upon
completion of the plan, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority
shall adopt a preferred alternative provided by the County Connection
plan for future funding. Following adoption of the preferred
alternative, the remaining funds may be expended either to fund the
preferred alternative or to extend the high-occupancy vehicle lane as
described in this paragraph. Fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000).
The project is sponsored by the Contra Costa Transportation
Authority.
(13) Rail Extension to East Contra Costa/E-BART. Extend BART from
Pittsburg/Bay Point Station to Byron in East Contra Costa County.
Ninety-six million dollars ($96,000,000). Project funds may only be
used if the project is in compliance with adopted BART policies with
respect to appropriate land use zoning in vicinity of proposed
stations. The project is jointly sponsored by BART and the Contra
Costa Transportation Authority.
(14) Capitol Corridor Improvements in Interstate 80/Interstate 680
Corridor. Fund track and station improvements, including the Suisun
Third Main Track and new Fairfield Station. Twenty-five million
dollars ($25,000,000). The project sponsor is the Capitol Corridor
Joint Powers Authority and the Solano Transportation Authority.
(15) Central Contra Costa Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Crossover.
Add new track before Pleasant Hill BART Station to permit BART
trains to cross to return track towards San Francisco. Twenty-five
million dollars ($25,000,000). The project sponsor is BART.
(16) Benicia-Martinez Bridge: New Span. Provide partial funding
for completion of new five-lane span between Benicia and Martinez to
significantly increase capacity in the I-680 corridor. Fifty million
dollars ($50,000,000). The project sponsor is the Bay Area Toll
Authority.
(17) Regional Express Bus North. Competitive grant program for bus
service in Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, Carquinez, Benicia-Martinez,
and Antioch Bridge corridors. Provide funding for park and ride lots,
infrastructure improvements, and rolling stock. Eligible recipients
include the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District,
Vallejo Transit, Napa VINE, Fairfield-Suisun Transit, Western Contra
Costa Transit Authority, Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority, and
Central Contra Costa Transit Authority. The Golden Gate Bridge
Highway and Transportation District shall receive a minimum of one
million six hundred thousand dollars ($1,600,000). Napa VINE shall
receive a minimum of two million four hundred thousand dollars
($2,400,000). Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000). The project
sponsor is the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
(18) TransLink. Integrate the bay area's regional smart card
technology, TransLink, with operator fare collection equipment and
expand system to new transit services. Twenty-two million dollars
($22,000,000). The project sponsor is the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission.
(19) Real-Time Transit Information. Provide a competitive grant
program for transit operators for assistance with implementation of
high-technology systems to provide real-time transit information to
riders at transit stops or via telephone, wireless, or Internet
communication. Priority shall be given to projects identified in the
commission's connectivity plan adopted pursuant to subdivision (d) of
Section 30914.5. Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000). The funds
shall be administered by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
(20) Safe Routes to Transit: Plan and construct bicycle and
pedestrian access improvements in close proximity to transit
facilities. Priority shall be given to those projects that best
provide access to regional transit services. Twenty-two million five
hundred thousand dollars ($22,500,000). City Car Share shall receive
two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) to expand its
program within approximately one-quarter mile of transbay regional
transit terminals or stations. The City Car Share project is
sponsored by City Car Share and the Safe Routes to Transit project is
jointly sponsored by the East Bay Bicycle Coalition and the
Transportation and Land Use Coalition. These sponsors must identify a
public agency cosponsor for purposes of specific project fund
allocations.
(21) BART Tube Seismic Strengthening. Add seismic capacity to
existing BART tube connecting the East Bay with San Francisco. One
hundred forty-three million dollars ($143,000,000). The project
sponsor is BART.
(22) Transbay Terminal/Downtown Caltrain Extension. A new Transbay
Terminal at First and Mission Streets in San Francisco providing
added capacity for transbay, regional, local, and intercity bus
services, the extension of Caltrain rail services into the terminal,
and accommodation of a future high-speed passenger rail line to the
terminal and eventual rail connection to the East Bay. Eligible
expenses include project planning, design and engineering,
construction of a new terminal and its associated ramps and tunnels,
demolition of existing structures, design and development of a
temporary terminal, property and right-of-way acquisitions required
for the project, and associated project-related administrative
expenses. A bus- and train-ready terminal facility, including
purchase and acquisition of necessary rights-of-way for the terminal,
ramps, and rail extension, is the first priority for toll funds for
the Transbay Terminal/Downtown Caltrain Extension Project. The
temporary terminal operation shall not exceed five years. One hundred
fifty million dollars ($150,000,000). The project sponsor is the
Transbay Joint Powers Authority.
(23) Oakland Airport Connector. New transit connection to link
BART, Capitol Corridor, and AC Transit with Oakland Airport. The Port
of Oakland shall provide a full funding plan for the connector.
Thirty million dollars ($30,000,000). The project sponsors are the
Port of Oakland and BART.
(24) AC Transit Enhanced Bus-Phase 1 on Telegraph Avenue,
International Boulevard, and East 14th Street (Berkeley-Oakland-San
Leandro). Develop enhanced bus service on these corridors, including
bus bulbs, signal prioritization, new buses, and other improvements.
Priority of investment shall improve the AC connection to BART on
these corridors. Sixty-five million dollars ($65,000,000). The
project sponsor is AC Transit.
(25) Transbay Commute Ferry Service. Purchase two vessels for
transbay ferry services. Second vessel funds to be released upon
demonstration of appropriate terminal locations, new transit-oriented
development, adequate parking, and sufficient landside feeder
connections to support ridership projections. Twelve million dollars
($12,000,000). The project sponsor is the San Francisco Bay Area
Water Emergency Transportation Authority. If the San Francisco Bay
Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority demonstrates to the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission that it has secured
alternative funding for the two vessel purchases described in this
paragraph, the funds may be used for terminal improvements or for
consolidation of existing ferry operations.
(26) Commute Ferry Service for Berkeley/Albany. Purchase two
vessels for ferry services between the Berkeley/Albany Terminal and
San Francisco. Parking access and landside feeder connections must be
sufficient to support ridership projections. Twelve million dollars
($12,000,000). The project sponsor is the San Francisco Bay Area
Water Emergency Transportation Authority. If the San Francisco Bay
Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority demonstrates to the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission that it has secured
alternative funding for the two vessel purchases described in this
paragraph, the funds may be used for terminal improvements. If the
San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority does
not have an entitled terminal site within the Berkeley/Albany
catchment area by 2010 that meets its requirements, the funds
described in this paragraph and the operating funds described in
paragraph (7) of subdivision (d) shall be transferred to another site
in the East Bay. The City of Richmond shall be given first priority
to receive this transfer of funds if it has met the planning
milestones identified in its special study developed pursuant to
paragraph (28).
(27) Commute Ferry Service for South San Francisco. Purchase two
vessels for ferry services to the Peninsula. Parking access and
landside feeder connections must be sufficient to support ridership
projections. Twelve million dollars ($12,000,000). The project
sponsor is the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation
Authority. If the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency
Transportation Authority demonstrates to the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission that it has secured alternative funding for
the two vessel purchases described in this paragraph, the funds may
be used for terminal improvements.
(28) Water Transit Facility Improvements, Spare Vessels, and
Environmental Review Costs. Provide two backup vessels for water
transit services, expand berthing capacity at the Port of San
Francisco, and expand environmental studies and design for eligible
locations. Forty-eight million dollars ($48,000,000). The project
sponsor is the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation
Authority. Up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) of the funds
described in this paragraph shall be made available for the San
Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority to study
accelerating development and other milestones that would potentially
increase ridership at the City of Richmond ferry terminal.
(29) Regional Express Bus Service for San Mateo, Dumbarton, and
Bay Bridge Corridors. Expand park and ride lots, improve HOV access,
construct ramp improvements, and purchase rolling stock. Twenty-two
million dollars ($22,000,000). The project sponsors are AC Transit
and the Alameda County Transportation Commission.
(30) I-880 North Safety Improvements. Reconfigure various ramps on
I-880 and provide appropriate mitigations between 29th Avenue and
16th Avenue. Ten million dollars ($10,000,000). The project sponsors
are the Alameda County Transportation Commission, City of Oakland,
and Department of Transportation.
(31) BART Warm Springs Extension. Extension of the existing BART
system from Fremont to Warm Springs in southern Alameda County.
Ninety-five million dollars ($95,000,000). Up to ten million dollars
($10,000,000) shall be used for grade separation work in the City of
Fremont necessary to extend BART. The project would facilitate a
future rail service extension to the Silicon Valley. The project
sponsor is BART.
(32) I-580 (Tri Valley) Rapid Transit Corridor Improvements.
Provide rail or High-Occupancy Vehicle lane direct connector to
Dublin BART and other improvements on I-580 in Alameda County for use
by express buses. Sixty-five million dollars ($65,000,000). The
project sponsor is the Alameda County Transportation Commission.
(33) Regional Rail Master Plan. Provide planning funds for
integrated regional rail study pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section
30914.5. Six million five hundred thousand dollars ($6,500,000). The
project sponsors are Caltrain and BART.
(34) Integrated Fare Structure Program. Provide planning funds for
the development of zonal monthly transit passes pursuant to
subdivision (e) of Section 30914.5. One million five hundred thousand
dollars ($1,500,000). The project sponsor is the Translink
Consortium.
(35) Transit Commuter Benefits Promotion. Marketing program to
promote tax-saving opportunities for employers and employees as
specified in Section 132(f)(3) or 162(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code. Goal is to increase the participation rate of employers
offering employees a tax-free benefit to commute to work by transit.
The project sponsor is the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
Five million dollars ($5,000,000).
(36) Caldecott Tunnel Improvements. Provide funds to plan and
construct a fourth bore at the Caldecott Tunnel between Contra Costa
and Alameda Counties. The fourth bore will be a two-lane bore with a
shoulder or shoulders north of the current three bores. The County
Connection shall study all feasible alternatives to increase transit
capacity in the westbound corridor of State Highway Route 24 between
State Highway Route 680 and the Caldecott Tunnel, including the study
of the use of an express lane, high-occupancy vehicle lane, and an
auxiliary lane. The cost of the study shall not exceed five hundred
thousand dollars ($500,000) and shall be completed not later than
January 15, 2006. Fifty million five hundred thousand dollars
($50,500,000). The project sponsor is the Contra Costa Transportation
Authority.
(d) Not more than 38 percent of the revenues generated from the
toll increase shall be made available annually for the purpose of
providing operating assistance for transit services as set forth in
the authority's annual budget resolution. The funds shall be made
available to the provider of the transit services subject to the
performance measures described in Section 30914.5. If the funds
cannot be obligated for operating assistance consistent with the
performance measures, these funds shall be obligated for other
operations consistent with this chapter.
Except for operating programs that do not have planned funding
increases and subject to the 38-percent limit on total operating cost
funding in any single year, following the first year of scheduled
operations, an escalation factor, not to exceed 1.5 percent per year,
shall be added to the operating cost funding through the 2015-16
fiscal year, to partially offset increased operating costs. The
escalation factors shall be contained in the operating agreements
described in Section 30914.5. Subject to the limitations of this
paragraph, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission may annually
fund the following operating programs as another component of the
Regional Traffic Relief Plan:
(1) Golden Gate Express Bus Service over the Richmond Bridge
(Route 40). Two million one hundred thousand dollars ($2,100,000).
(2) Napa VINE Service terminating at the Vallejo Intermodal
Terminal. Three hundred ninety thousand dollars ($390,000).
(3) Regional Express Bus North Pool serving the Carquinez and
Benicia Bridge Corridors. Three million four hundred thousand dollars
($3,400,000).
(4) Regional Express Bus South Pool serving the Bay Bridge, San
Mateo Bridge, and Dumbarton Bridge Corridors. Six million five
hundred thousand dollars ($6,500,000).
(5) Dumbarton Rail. Five million five hundred thousand dollars
($5,500,000).
(6) San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation
Authority, Alameda/Oakland/Harbor Bay, Berkeley/Albany, South San
Francisco, Vallejo, or other transbay ferry service. A portion of the
operating funds may be dedicated to landside transit operations.
Fifteen million three hundred thousand dollars ($15,300,000). Funds
historically made available to the City of Vallejo or the City of
Alameda shall continue to be allocated to those cities until the date
specified in the adopted transition plan developed by the San
Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority pursuant
to subdivision (b) of Section 66540.32 of the Government Code. The
authority may use up to six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000) to
support development of the transition plan and for transition-related
costs, including, but not limited to, reasonable administrative
costs incurred by the authority and transferring agencies on or after
July 1, 2008, in accordance with subdivision (e) of Section 66540.11
of the Government Code, upon a determination by the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission that these costs are reasonable and
substantially the result of the transition. After adoption of the
transition plan and after formal agreement by the Cities of Alameda
and Vallejo to transition their ferry services to the authority in
accordance with the transition plan, the authority may use additional
funds, above the limits previously referenced in this paragraph, for
transition and transition-related activities, incurred before or
after the actual transfer of services, as specified in the transition
plan and approved by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. The
authority may utilize funds from this section for operation of the
services transferred from the City of Vallejo or the City of Alameda
if approved by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
(7) Owl Bus Service on BART Corridor. One million eight hundred
thousand dollars ($1,800,000).
(8) MUNI Metro Third Street Light Rail Line. Two million five
hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) without escalation.
(9) AC Transit Enhanced Bus Service on Telegraph Avenue,
International Boulevard, and East 14th Street in Berkeley-Oakland-San
Leandro. Three million dollars ($3,000,000) without escalation.
(10) TransLink, three-year operating program. Twenty million
dollars ($20,000,000) without escalation.
(11) San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation
Authority, regional planning and operations. Three million dollars
($3,000,000) without escalation.
(e) For all projects authorized under subdivision (c), the project
sponsor shall submit an initial project report to the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission before July 1, 2004. This report shall
include all information required to describe the project in detail,
including the status of any environmental documents relevant to the
project, additional funds required to fully fund the project, the
amount, if any, of funds expended to date, and a summary of any
impediments to the completion of the project. This report, or an
updated report, shall include a detailed financial plan and shall
notify the commission if the project sponsor will request toll
revenue within the subsequent 12 months. The project sponsor shall
update this report as needed or requested by the commission. No funds
shall be allocated by the commission for any project authorized by
subdivision (c) until the project sponsor submits the initial project
report, and the report is reviewed and approved by the commission.
If multiple project sponsors are listed for projects listed in
subdivision (c), the commission shall identify a lead sponsor in
coordination with all identified sponsors, for purposes of allocating
funds. For any projects authorized under subdivision
(c), the commission shall have
the option of requiring a memorandum of understanding between itself
and the project sponsor or sponsors that shall include any specific
requirements that must be met prior to the allocation of funds
provided under subdivision (c).
(f) The Metropolitan Transportation Commission shall annually
assess the status of programs and projects and shall allocate a
portion of funding made available under Section 30921 or 30958 for
public information and advertising to support the services and
projects identified in subdivisions (c) and (d). If a program or
project identified in subdivision (c) has cost savings after
completion, taking into account construction costs and an estimate of
future settlement claims, or cannot be completed or cannot continue
due to delivery or financing obstacles making the completion or
continuation of the program or project unrealistic, the commission
shall consult with the program or project sponsor. After consulting
with the sponsor, the commission shall hold a public hearing
concerning the program or project. After the hearing, the commission
may vote to modify the program or the project's scope, decrease its
level of funding, or reassign some or all of the funds to another
project within the same bridge corridor. If a program or project
identified in subdivision (c) is to be implemented with other funds
not derived from tolls, the commission shall follow the same
consultation and hearing process described above and may vote
thereafter to reassign the funds to another project consistent with
the intent of this chapter. If an operating program or project as
identified in subdivision (d) cannot achieve its performance
objectives described in subdivision (a) of Section 30914.5 or cannot
continue due to delivery or financing obstacles making the completion
or continuation of the program or project unrealistic, the
commission shall consult with the program or the project sponsor.
After consulting with the sponsor, the commission shall hold a public
hearing concerning the program or project. After the hearing, the
commission may vote to modify the program or the project's scope,
decrease its level of funding, or to reassign some or all of the
funds to another or an additional regional transit program or project
within the same corridor. If a program or project does not meet the
required performance measures, the commission shall give the sponsor
a time certain to achieve the performance measures before reassigning
its funding.
(g) If the voters approve a toll increase pursuant to Section
30921, the authority shall within 24 months of the election date
include the projects in a long-range plan that are consistent with
the commission's findings required by this section and Section
30914.5. The authority shall update its long-range plan as required
to maintain its viability as a strategic plan for funding projects
authorized by this section. The authority shall, by January 1, 2007,
submit its updated long-range plan to the transportation policy
committee of each house of the Legislature for review.
(h) If the voters approve a toll increase pursuant to Section
30921, and if additional funds from this toll increase are available
following the funding obligations of subdivisions (c) and (d), the
authority may set aside a reserve to fund future rolling stock
replacement to enhance the sustainability of the services enumerated
in subdivision (d). The authority shall, by January 1, 2020, submit a
20-year toll bridge expenditure plan to the Legislature for
adoption. This expenditure plan shall have, as its highest priority,
replacement of transit vehicles purchased pursuant to subdivision
(c).
30914.1. Funding of the TransLink operating program in the amount
of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall be made pursuant to
paragraph (10) of subdivision (d) of Section 30914 without regard to
the three-year limitation stated therein.
30914.5. (a) Prior to the allocation of revenue for transit
operating assistance under subdivision (d) of Section 30914, the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission shall adopt performance
measures related to fare-box recovery, ridership, and other
performance measures as needed. The performance measures shall be
developed in consultation with the affected transit operators and the
commission's advisory council.
(b) The Metropolitan Transportation Commission shall execute an
operating agreement with the sponsors of the projects described in
subdivision (d) of Section 30914. This agreement shall include, at a
minimum, a fully funded operating plan that conforms to and is
consistent with the adopted performance measures. The agreement shall
also include a schedule of projected fare revenues or other
operating revenues to indicate that the service is viable in the near
term and is expected to meet the adopted performance measures in
future years. For any individual project sponsor, this operating
agreement may include additional requirements, as determined by the
commission, to be met prior to the allocation of transit assistance
under subdivision (d) of Section 30914.
(c) Prior to the annual allocation of transit operating assistance
funds by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission pursuant to
subdivision (d) of Section 30914, the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission shall conduct, or shall require the sponsoring agency to
conduct, an independent audit that contains audited financial
information, including an opinion on the status and cost of the
project and its compliance with the approved performance measures.
Notwithstanding this requirement, each operator shall be given a
one-year trial period to operate new service. In the first year of
new service, the sponsor shall develop a reporting and accounting
structure for the performance measures. Commencing with the third
operating year, sponsors shall be subject to the approved performance
measures.
(d) The Metropolitan Transportation Commission shall adopt a
regional transit connectivity plan by May 1, 2006. The connectivity
plan shall be incorporated into the commission's Transit Coordination
Implementation Plan pursuant to Section 66516.5 of the Government
Code. The connectivity plan shall require operators to comply with
the plan utilizing commission authority pursuant to Section 66516.5
of the Government Code. The commission shall consult with the
Partnership Transit Coordination Council in developing a plan that
identifies and evaluates opportunities for improving transit
connectivity and shall include, but not be limited to, the following
components:
(1) A network of key transit hubs connecting regional rapid
transit services to one another, and to feeder transit services.
"Regional rapid transit" means long-haul transit service that crosses
county lines, and operates mostly in dedicated rights-of-way,
including freeway high-occupancy vehicle lanes, crossing a bridge, or
on the bay. The identified transit hubs shall operate either as a
timed transfer network or as pulsed hub connections, providing
regularly scheduled connections between two or more transit lines.
(2) Physical infrastructure and right-of-way improvements
necessary to improve system reliability and connections at transit
hubs. Physical infrastructure improvements may include, but are not
limited to, improved rail-to-rail transfer facilities, including
cross-platform transfers, and intermodal transit improvements that
facilitate rail-to-bus, rail-to-ferry, ferry-to-ferry, ferry-to-bus,
and bus-to-bus transfers. Capital improvements identified in the plan
shall be eligible for funding in the commission's regional
transportation plan.
(3) Regional standards and procedures to ensure maximum
coordination of schedule connections to minimize transfer times
between transit lines at key transit hubs, including, but not limited
to, the following:
(A) Policies and procedures for improved fare collection.
(B) Enhanced trip-planning services, including Internet-based
programs, telephone information systems, and printed schedules.
(C) Enhanced schedule coordination through the implementation of
real-time transit-vehicle location systems that facilitate
communication between systems and result in improved timed transfers
between routes.
(D) Performance measures and data collection to monitor the
performance of the connectivity plan.
The connectivity plan shall focus on, but not be limited to,
feeder transit lines connecting to regional rapid transit services,
and the connection of regional rapid transit services to one another.
The connectivity plan shall be adopted following a Metropolitan
Transportation Commission public hearing at least 60 days prior to
adoption. The commission shall adopt performance measures and collect
appropriate data to monitor the performance of the connectivity
plan. The plan shall be evaluated every three years by the commission
as part of the update to its regional transportation plan. No agency
shall be eligible to receive funds under this section unless the
agency is a participant operator in the commission's regional transit
connectivity plan.
The provisions of this subdivision shall only be effective if the
voters approve the toll increase as set forth in Section 30921, and
the expenditures incurred by the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission up to five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) that are
related to the requirements of this subdivision, including any study,
shall be reimbursed from toll revenues identified in paragraph (33)
of subdivision (c) of Section 30914.
(e) The TransLink Consortium, per the TransLink Interagency
Participation Agreement, shall, by July 1, 2008, develop a plan for
an integrated fare program covering all regional rapid transit trips
funded in full or in part by this section. "Regional rapid transit"
means long-haul transit services that cross county lines, and operate
mostly in dedicated rights-of-way, including freeway high-occupancy
vehicle lanes, crossing a bridge, or on the bay. Interregional rail
services, originating or terminating from outside the Bay Area, shall
not be considered regional rapid transit. The purpose of the
integrated fare program is to encourage greater use of the region's
transit network by making it easier and less costly for transit
riders whose regular commute involves multizonal travel and may
involve the transfer between two or more transit agencies, including
regional-to-regional and regional-to-local transfers. The integrated
fare program shall include a zonal fare system for the sole purpose
of creating a monthly zonal pass (monthly pass), allowing for
unlimited or discounted fares for transit riders making a minimum
number of monthly transit trips between two or more zones. The number
of minimum trips shall be established by the plan. The integrated
fare program shall not apply to fare structures that are not
purchased on a monthly basis. For the purposes of these zonal fares,
geographic zones shall be created in the Bay Area. To the extent
practical, zone boundaries for overlapping systems shall be in the
same places and shall correspond to the boundaries of the local
transit service areas. A regional rapid transit zone may cover more
than one local service area, or may subdivide an existing local
service area. The monthly pass shall be created in at least the
following two forms:
(1) For the use of interzonal regional rapid transit trips without
local transit discounts.
(2) For the use of interzonal regional rapid transit trips with
local transit discounts. The plan may recommend the elimination of
existing transit pass arrangements to simplify the marketing of the
monthly pass. The integrated fare program shall establish a
monitoring program to evaluate the impact of the integrated fare
program on the operating finances of the participating agencies. The
integrated fare program shall be adjusted as necessary to ensure that
the program does not jeopardize the viability of local or regional
rapid transit routes impacted by the program, and to the extent
feasible, provide an equitable revenue-sharing arrangement among the
participating agencies. This subdivision shall only be effective if
the voters approve the toll increase as set forth in Section 30921,
and any expenditures related to the implementation of this
subdivision incurred by the TransLink Consortium shall be reimbursed
by toll revenues designated in paragraph (34) of subdivision (c) of
Section 30914.
(f) The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) shall, by
September 29, 2007, adopt a Bay Area Regional Rail Plan (plan) for
the development of passenger rail services in the San Francisco Bay
Area over the short, medium, and long term. Up to six million dollars
($6,000,000) of the funds described in paragraph (33) of subdivision
(c) of Section 30914 may be expended by MTC, the San Francisco Bay
Area Rapid Transit District (BART), and the Peninsula Corridor Joint
Powers Board (Caltrain) for the plan. A project management team
comprised of staff from MTC, Caltrain, the High-Speed Rail Authority,
and BART shall provide day-to-day project management of the
technical development of the plan. The plan shall formulate
strategies to integrate passenger rail systems, improve interfaces
with connecting services, expand the regional rapid transit network,
and coordinate investments with transit-supportive land use. The plan
shall be directed by a steering committee consisting of appointees
from the Department of Transportation (Caltrans), BART, Caltrain, the
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), the Capitol
Corridor Joint Powers Authority, the Altamont Commuter Express, the
High-Speed Rail Authority, MTC, the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit
District (SMART), the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority,
the Solano Transportation Authority, the Association of Bay Area
Governments, the Transbay Joint Powers Authority, the Port of
Oakland, the Alameda County Transportation Commission, the Contra
Costa Transportation Authority, the Transportation Authority of
Marin, the Napa County Transportation Planning Agency, the San
Francisco County Transportation Authority, the San Mateo City-County
Association of Governments, the San Francisco Municipal
Transportation Agency, and the owners of standard gauge rail. Under
direction from the steering committee and with input from Bay Area
transit agencies, MTC shall act as the fiscal agent for the study and
oversee consultant contracts on behalf of the project management
team. The plan proposals shall be evaluated using performance
criteria, including, but not limited to, transit-supportive land use
and access, ridership, cost-effectiveness, regional network
connectivity, and capital and operating financial stability.
Additional performance criteria shall be developed as necessary. The
plan shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(1) Identification of issues in connectivity, access, capacity,
operations, and cost-effectiveness.
(2) Identification of opportunities to enhance rail connectivity
and to maximize passenger convenience when transferring between
systems, including the study of the feasibility and construction of
an intermodal transfer hub at Niles (Shinn Street) Junction.
(3) Recommendation of improvements to the interface with shuttles,
buses, other rail systems, and other feeder modes.
(4) Identification of potential impacts on capacity constraints
and operations on existing passenger and freight carriers.
(5) Identification of bottlenecks where added capacity could
cost-effectively increase performance.
(6) Recommendation of potential efficiency improvements through
economies of scale, such as through joint vehicle procurement and
maintenance facilities.
(7) Recommendation of strategies to acquire right-of-way and
station property to preserve future service options.
(8) Identification of potential capital and operating funding
sources for proposed actions.
(9) Identification of locations where the presence of passenger
rail could stimulate redevelopment and thereby direct growth to the
urban core.
(10) Recommendation of technology-appropriate service expansion in
specific corridors. Technologies to be considered include
conventional rail transit modes, bus rapid transit, and emerging rail
technologies. Identify phasing strategies for the implementation of
rail services where appropriate.
(11) Examination of how recommendations would integrate with
proposed high-speed rail to the Central Valley and southern
California. The intent of this element of the study is to help reduce
the number of alternatives that the High-Speed Rail Authority would
need to evaluate as part of any follow-on environmental assessment of
future high-speed rail system access to the Bay Area. Selection of a
preferred alignment for the Bay Area shall remain the responsibility
of the High-Speed Rail Authority pursuant to Section 185032 of the
Public Utilities Code.
(12) Recommendation of a governance strategy to implement and
operate future regional rail services.
This subdivision shall only be effective if the voters approve the
toll increase as set forth in Section 30921. Any expenditures
incurred by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission or the project
sponsors identified in paragraph (33) of subdivision (c) of Section
30914 related to the requirements of this subdivision, including any
study and administration, shall be appropriate charges against toll
revenue to be reimbursed from toll revenues.
30915. With respect to all construction and improvement projects
specified in Sections 30913 and 30914, project sponsors and the
department shall seek funding from all other potential sources,
including, but not limited to, the State Highway Account and federal
matching funds. The project sponsors and department shall report to
the authority concerning the funds obtained under this section.
30916. (a) The base toll rate for vehicles crossing the state-owned
toll bridges within the geographic jurisdiction of the commission as
of January 1, 2003, is as follows:
Number of Axles Toll
Two axles $1.00
Three axles 3.00
Four axles 5.25
Five axles 8.25
Six axles 9.00
Seven axles & more 10.50
(b) If the voters approve a toll increase, pursuant to Section
30921, commencing July 1, 2004, the base toll rate for vehicles
crossing the bridges described in subdivision (a) is as follows:
Number of axles Toll
Two axles $ 2.00
Three axles 4.00
Four axles 6.25
Five axles 9.25
Six axles 10.00
Seven axles & more 11.50
(c) The authority shall increase the amount of the toll only if
required to meet its obligations on any bonds or to satisfy its
covenants under any bond resolution or indenture. The authority shall
hold a public hearing before adopting a toll schedule reflecting the
increased toll charge.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the
adoption of either a discounted commute rate for two-axle vehicles or
of special provisions for high-occupancy vehicles under terms and
conditions prescribed by the authority in consultation with the
department.
30917. Pursuant to a special election in 1988 held in the City and
County of San Francisco and the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa,
Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Solano, the voters approved a
uniform toll charge of one dollar ($1) for class I vehicles crossing
the state-owned toll bridges within the geographic jurisdiction of
the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Except as provided in
Section 30914, the revenue derived from that toll increase shall be
used to finance capital outlay for bridge construction and major
bridge improvements as is fiscally practicable.
30918. (a) It is the intention of the Legislature to maintain tolls
on all of the bridges specified in Section 30910 at rates sufficient
to meet any obligation to the holders of bonds secured by the bridge
toll revenues. The authority shall retain authority to set the toll
schedule as may be necessary to meet those bond obligations. The
authority shall provide at least 30 days' notice to the
transportation policy committee of each house of the Legislature and
shall hold a public hearing before adopting a toll schedule
reflecting the increased toll rate.
(b) The authority shall increase the toll rates specified in the
adopted toll schedule in order to meet its obligations and covenants
under any bond resolution or indenture of the authority for any
outstanding toll bridge revenue bonds issued by the authority and the
requirements of any constituent instruments defining the rights of
holders of related obligations of the authority entered into pursuant
to Section 5922 of the Government Code and, notwithstanding Section
30887 or subdivision (c) of Section 30916 of this code, or any other
law, may increase the toll rates specified in the adopted toll
schedule to provide funds for the planning, design, construction,
operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, rehabilitation, and
seismic retrofit of the state-owned toll bridges specified in Section
30910 of this code, to provide funding to meet the requirements of
Sections 30884 and 30911 of this code, and to provide funding to meet
the requirements of voter-approved regional measures pursuant to
Sections 30914 and 30921 of this code.
(c) The authority's toll structure for the state-owned toll
bridges specified in Section 30910 may vary from bridge to bridge and
may include discounts for vehicles classified by the authority as
high-occupancy vehicles, notwithstanding any other law.
(d) If the authority establishes high-occupancy vehicle lane fee
discounts or access for vehicles classified by the authority as
high-occupancy vehicles for any bridge, the authority shall
collaborate with the department to reach agreement on how the
occupancy requirements shall apply on each segment of highway that
connects with that bridge.
(e) All tolls referred to in this section and Sections 30916,
31010, and 31011 may be treated by the authority as a single revenue
source for accounting and administrative purposes and for the
purposes of any bond indenture or resolution and any agreement
entered into pursuant to Section 5922 of the Government Code.
(f) It is the intent of the Legislature that the authority should
consider the needs and requirements of both its electronic and
cash-paying customers when it designates toll payment options at the
toll plazas for the toll bridges under its jurisdiction.
30919. (a) Consistent with its adopted regional transportation
plan, after the requirements for debt service on the outstanding toll
bridge revenue bonds have been met, the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission shall allocate the revenues identified in subdivision (b)
of Section 30913 to eligible public entities and to the department.
(b) The revenues expended pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision
(a) of Section 30914 shall be expended on rail extension and
improvement projects designed to reduce vehicular traffic congestion
on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Seventy percent of the
revenues shall be expended on rail extensions and improvement
projects in the Counties of Alameda and Contra Costa, including, but
not limited to, extending the regional rail system in the
Concord-Antioch, Fremont-San Jose, and the Bayfair-Livermore rail
transit corridors. The remaining 30 percent shall be expended on rail
extensions and improvement projects in the City and County of San
Francisco and the Counties of San Mateo and Santa Clara.
(c) The Metropolitan Transportation Commission may commit to
multiyear allocations and expenditures for projects over extended
time periods to maximize funding opportunities and project progress.
30920. The authority may issue toll bridge revenue bonds to finance
any or all of the projects, including those specified in Sections
30913 and 30914, if the issuance of the bonds does not adversely
affect the minimum amount of toll revenue proceeds designated in
Section 30913 and in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of, and
subdivision (b) of, Section 30914 for rail extension and improvement
projects and transit projects to reduce vehicular traffic. A
determination of the authority that a specific project or projects
shall have no adverse effect will be binding and conclusive in all
respects.
30921. (a) The toll rate for vehicles crossing the bridges
described in Section 30916 shall not be increased to the rate
described in subdivision (b) of Section 30916 prior to the
availability of the results of a special election to be held in the
City and County of San Francisco and the Counties of Alameda, Contra
Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Solano to determine whether
the residents of those counties and of the City and County of San
Francisco approve a toll increase in the amount of one dollar ($1)
per vehicle. The revenue derived from this toll increase shall be
used to finance capital outlay for construction improvements, the
acquisition of transit vehicles, transit operating assistance, and
other improvement projects to reduce congestion and to improve travel
options on the bridge corridors as is fiscally practicable.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the Elections Code, the board
of supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco and of each
of the counties described in subdivision (a) shall call a special
election to be conducted in the City and County of San Francisco and
in each of the counties that shall be consolidated with the March 2,
2004, primary election. The following question shall be submitted to
the voters as Regional Measure 2 and stated separately in the ballot
from state and local measures: "Shall voters authorize a Regional
Traffic Relief Plan that does the following:
(1) Directs revenues generated through the collection of bridge
tolls to provide the following projects:
(A) Expand and extend BART.
(B) New transbay commuter rail crossing south of the San
Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
(C) Comprehensive Regional Express bus network.
(D) New expanded ferry service.
(E) Better connections between BART, buses, ferries, and rail.
(2) Approves a one dollar ($1) toll increase effective July 1,
2004, on all toll bridges in the bay area, except the Golden Gate
Bridge "
(c) The ballot pamphlet for the special election described in
subdivision (b) shall include a detailed description of the Regional
Traffic Relief Plan detailing the projects, services, and planning
requirements set forth in subdivisions (c) and (d) of Section 30914
and subdivisions (d), (e), and (f) of Section 30914.5. The
Metropolitan Transportation Commission shall prepare this description
of the Regional Traffic Relief Plan.
(d) The county clerks shall report the results of the special
election to the authority. If a majority of all voters voting on the
question at the special election vote affirmatively, the authority
shall adopt the increased toll schedule to be effective July 1, 2004.
(e) If a majority of all the voters voting on the question at the
special election do not approve the toll increase, the authority may
by resolution resubmit the measure to the voters at a subsequent
general election. If a majority of all of the voters vote
affirmatively on the measure, the authority may adopt the toll
increase and establish its effective date and establish the
completion dates for all reports and studies required by Sections
30914, 30914.5, and 30950.3.
(f) The authority shall reimburse each county and city and county
participating in the election for the incremental cost of submitting
the measure to the voters. These costs shall be reimbursed from
revenues derived from the tolls if the measure is approved by the
voters, or, if the measure is not approved, from any bridge toll
revenues administered by the authority.
(g) Except as provided in Section 30918, the toll rates contained
in a toll schedule adopted by the authority pursuant to this section
shall not be changed without statutory authorization by the
Legislature.
30922. Any action or proceeding to contest, question, or deny the
validity of the toll increase provided for in this chapter, the
financing of the transportation program contemplated by this chapter,
the issuance of any bonds secured by those tolls, or any of the
proceedings in relation thereto, shall be commenced within 60 days
from the date of the election at which the toll increase is approved.
After that date, the financing of the program, the issuance of the
bonds, and all proceedings in relation thereto, including the
adoption, approval, and collection of the toll increase, shall be
held valid and incontestable in every respect.
