Circulate San Diego joined 38 other California organizations in signing a letter urging Congress to invest in public transit. While Congressional funding for public transit in the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan averted disaster, public transit deserves continuing investment by the federal government. Every dollar invested in transit offers a five-to-one economic return and every $1 billion invested produces 49,700 jobs. Moreover, investing in public transit is also an investment in racial justice because it is essential to the economic well-being of communities of color. Investments in public transit are also critical to averting a climate disaster.

For these reasons, the coalition requested $20 billion in annual funding for transit operations. Federal funding for transit is generally reserved for capital investments like new buses, trains, and rail lines. However, riders' ability to rely on transit ultimately depends on the level of service offered by their local transit system. Federal investment in public transit service will serve communities better, saving existing riders' time and bringing new riders into the system. 

The coalition also requested an expansion in over-subcribed capital funding, funding for zero-emissions fleets, funding for safe streets and transit-friendly communities, and fair treatment for transit workers. Read the full letter here. [pdf]

Circulate San Diego joined a coalition letter urging key California legislators to ensure funding for the Transformative Climate Communities and Regional Climate Collaboratives programs. Both programs would help ensure climate resilience for California's most impacted and least resourced communities. Both programs were funded in the Governors May Budget Revise, but were zeroed out in the Senate's May 25 Budget proposal. 

The Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) program would deliver $500 Million for emissions reducing strategies, including housing with access to public transportation and active transportation. TCC would connect investments to residents impacted by multiple sources of pollution and vulnerable to the anticipated impacts of climate change, and requires robust community engagement in all phases of project development and implementation.

The Regional Climate Collaborative (RCC) program would establish capacity and technical assistance for impacted and low resource communities. RCC would convene local stakeholders, foster partnerships, and support the development of community plans and projects to advance local climate action. The program would select collaboratives to build community-driven leadership, knowledge, skills, experience, and resources to identify and access public funding for climate change mitigation and adaptation projects.

In order to advance its greenhouse gas emissions goals, mitigate climate impacts, and advance social equity, the legislature must ensure that these programs are funded. Read the full letter here [pdf].

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Media Contact:
Colin Parent, Executive Director and General Counsel
(619) 567-6856 | [email protected]

Press Release: Two Serious Injuries in Hit-and-Run Crashes Over Memorial Day Weekend

SAN DIEGO (June 2, 2021) – Two pedestrians were seriously injured in hit-and-run crashes over Memorial Day weekend.

Circulate released its report, “Hope for Vision Zero” this month, showing modest improvements to street safety in the City of San Diego since committing to Vision Zero in 2015. However, traffic injuries and fatalities remain unacceptably high.