SMCTA wants community input on ways to reduce driving

| Authored By: Randol White
Person with a bike passing in front of a bus.

 

The San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) is asking the public to help identify ways to reduce driving in San Mateo County. The outreach effort begins Monday, Nov. 16, and includes an online participatory budgeting survey called “Fund It!” and four community workshops where people can share their ideas. 

When new buildings, roads or transportation projects are built, they can lead to more driving. This is measured in vehicle miles traveled, or VMT. Under California law, certain projects that increase driving must take steps to reduce those extra miles. 

SMCTA wants community members to weigh in on possible solutions, including affordable housing, safer sidewalks and bike paths, better public transit, and programs that help people save money on transit fares. 

Through the “Fund It!” online survey, participants can compare these ideas based on their costs and how much they could reduce driving. SMCTA will also host four community workshops throughout the county: 

  • North County: Monday, Nov. 16, 6-8 p.m., Millbrae Recreation Center, 477 Lincoln Circle, Millbrae 
  • South County: Tuesday, Dec. 1, 6-8 p.m., Redwood City Main Library, 1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood City 
  • Central County: Wednesday, Dec. 2, 6-8 p.m., San Mateo Main Library, 55 W. Third Ave., San Mateo 
  • Coastal County: Wednesday, Dec. 9, 6-8 p.m., Ted Adcock Community Center, 535 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay 

Community feedback will be shared with the SMCTA Board of Directors and local cities to help guide decisions about ways to reduce driving linked to future projects. 

Everyone is encouraged to participate! Attend a workshop or complete the "Fund It!” survey to help shape the future of transportation in San Mateo County. Workshop and survey participants will also have a chance to win one of four gift cards. 

Learn more, register for a workshop or take the survey at: 

SMCTA VMT Mitigation Outreach and Online Survey  

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About the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA): Created to administer Measure A, San Mateo County’s ½ cent sales tax, the TA provides funding for transportation projects and programs in San Mateo County. In 2004, more than 75% of San Mateo County voters reauthorize Measure A for an additional 25 years. In 2018, voters approved Measure W, the San Mateo County Congestion Relief Plan an additional ½ cent sales tax. The TA will administer half the revenue of Measure W and the San Mateo County Transit District will administer the other half to fund and implement the Congestion Relief Plan.  

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Free translation assistance is available. Para traducción llama al 1.800.660.4287; 如需翻譯,請電 1.800.660.4287. 

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About the Transportation Authority (TA): Created to administer Measure A, San Mateo County’s ½ cent sales tax, the TA provides funding for transportation projects and programs in San Mateo County. In 2004, more than 75 percent of San Mateo County voters reauthorize Measure A for an additional 25 years. In 2018, voters approved Measure W, the San Mateo County Congestion Relief Plan an additional ½ cent sales tax. The TA will administer half the revenue of Measure W and the San Mateo County Transit District will administer the other half to fund and implement the Congestion Relief Plan.

Free translation assistance is available. Para traducción llama al 1.800.660.4287; 如需翻譯,請電 1.800.660.4287.