Traffic Solutions, a division of Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), in partnership with Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) and LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency released a train commute survey to better understand Ventura County and Carpinteria commuters’ experiences. The online survey will be available through June 17, 2019.
 
A year ago, SBCAG partnered with the California State Transportation Agency to modify the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner schedule to serve the commuter market in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The revised rail service offers commuters the option of taking the train to and from work as an alternative to traveling on the congested Highway 101. Additionally, SBCAG partnered with Santa Barbara MTD to provide first and last mile shuttle service from the Santa Barbara and Goleta stations to area employers. The effort is a central component of SBCAG’s “Lane and a Train” strategy, the long-term congestion relief strategy to address the significant traffic commuters experience daily on Highway 101 between Ventura County and Santa Barbara/Goleta.  
 
A weekday average of 15,000 commuters travel from Ventura and Los Angeles Counties to their employment locations in Santa Barbara County. According to Census data, 20% of these commuters carpool, while the Pacific Surfliner peak hour train service carries 90-100 commuters, and the VCTC Coastal Express bus service carries 350-400 commuters daily.
 
Results from the survey aim to increase Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train ridership by improving outreach to commuters. Survey results will also provide important information regarding commuters’ awareness of alternative transportation resources such as the VCTC Coastal Express commuter bus service and vanpools that, in addition to the train, provide commuters greater flexibility for a variety of work schedules.
 
The commute survey is open to all commuters traveling from Ventura County and Carpinteria to worksites in the South Coast, whether or not they use the train. The survey only takes a few minutes and will remain open through June 17, 2019. The survey is anonymous, but respondents can provide their contact information to be entered to win a prize of their choosing--either an Apple iPad with keyboard or a folding bike. Five winners will be randomly selected and contacted via email by June 19, 2019. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Traffic Solutions via phone at (805) 963-SAVE or email at info@trafficsolutions.org.

Focus of committee is to ensure accountability for high priority transportation projects throughout Santa Barbara county 

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments is seeking civic-minded, interested individuals to serve on a committee of community leaders, a part of the Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee. The committee oversees the ongoing investment of Measure A sales tax funds for high priority transportation projects and programs that address the current and future needs of Santa Barbara county. The Committee is comprised of 11 members, including four from North County, four from South County and three “at-large.” Applicants will be considered to fill an open position on the committee for an “at-large” member who can represent transportation interests in the county.  
 
On November 4, 2008, Measure A was approved in Santa Barbara county with 79% voter support, a one-half of one percent (1/2%) sales tax for transportation projects and programs over 30 years. Measure A is administered by Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and it is estimated to provide more than $1 billion of local investment in transportation projects through 2040. Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Board of Directors appointed a Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee to help ensure accountability to voters regarding the expenditure of funds.
 
The Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee is made up of a balance of transportation users that represent geographic, social, cultural and economic interests in the county. Appointed members serve four-year terms and can be reappointed for additional terms at the discretion of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Board of Directors. As determined by the committee, they meet as needed or one to two times a year. The committee is responsible for annually submitting comments to the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Board of Directors on whether the provisions, requirements and voter mandates as outlined by Measure A’s Investment Plan and Ordinance have been properly carried out.
 
Applicants are encouraged to complete an application by June 7, 2019. For questions regarding the Measure A Citizens' Oversight Committee or the application process please contact Lauren Bianchi Klemann, Government Affairs/Public Information Manager by telephone at (805) 961-8905 or by email at lbianchiklemann@sbcag.org
 
More information about Measure A is available on the measure’s website. 


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ARE YOU INTERESTED IN TRANSIT ISSUES?

Become a member of SBCTAC! The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) is currently looking to fill several volunteer positions on the Santa Barbara County Transit Advisory Committee (SBCTAC).

SBCAG is currently recruiting for the following positions:

• Transit user with a disability
  
• Social service provider for persons with disabilities
  
• Transit rider from Northern Santa Barbara County
  
• Transit rider from Southern Santa Barbara County
  
• Agricultural worker representative
  

The members will be appointed by the SBCAG Board of Directors for a term of three years, which may be renewed for an additional three-year term. SBCTAC advises the SBCAG Board of Directors on important transit issues that affect the community. The committee meets once a month in Buellton and is comprised of representatives from fixed-route transit and paratransit providers, social service agencies, non-profit groups providing social services, and transit users.

If you are interested in serving on SBCTAC or for additional information on this volunteer opportunity, contact Jared Carvalho at jcarvalho@sbcag.org or (805) 961-8906. Please submit your nominations to SBCAG by May 17, 2019.

The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments is providing notice of its intention to amend Fast Forward 2040, the Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP-SCS).  The purpose of Amendment No. 2 is to add an operational improvement project at the first U.S. 101 southbound off-ramp at the Milpas Street interchange in the City of Santa Barbara. Amendment #2 adds this project to Fast Forward 2040 as a programmed project.  All project phases are included – environmental, preliminary engineering, design, right of way, and construction.  This project was identified as a traffic mitigation location for the South Coast 101 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes project due to the fact that operations on the ramp are expected to degrade below an acceptable level sometime after the project is complete (between project opening year and forecast horizon year of the RTP – 2040). The project would add a second lane on the ramp to provide dual right-turn lanes at the ramp junction intersection. Project cost estimates are $480,000 for the project development (environmental and design), and $1 million for construction.  The funding for this project will come from CA Senate Bill 1 (SB1) funding sources.  SB1 funding sources were not considered during the development of Fast Forward 2040. The project does not require offsets for Fast Forward 2040 and therefore remains fiscally constrained.

SBCAG is holding a hearing to receive public comment on this amendment.

The hearing will be held:

Date:      Monday, April 8, 2019
Time:      4:00 P.M.
Place:     SBCAG Office, Casa Nueva
                Wisteria Conference Room
                260 N. San Antonio Road, Ste. B
                Santa Barbara, CA

If you cannot attend the hearing, you may still submit written comments up until Friday, April 12, 2019.  You may e-mail them to Andrew Orfila (e-mail: aorfila@sbcag.org) or mail them to SBCAG at 260 North San Antonio Road, Suite B, Santa Barbara, CA 93110.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations to participate in the meeting should contact SBCAG at least three working days prior to the meeting at (805) 961-8900. 

For more information, call SBCAG at 961-8900.  Favor de llamar a SBCAG al 961-8900, para más información del reunión.

SBCAG is convening a public workshop in support of the draft Regional Growth Forecast. SBCAG is required to develop a forecast of employment, housing demand, and population for use in long-range planning. This draft forecast covers the years 2017-2050 and will replace SBCAG's current Regional Growth Forecast which has a horizon of 2040. The draft forecast has been developed with the assistance of a consultant, Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy, and with the guidance of SBCAG's Joint Technical Advisory Committee. The draft forecast is scheduled to be adopted by the SBCAG Board during its January 2019 meeting.

The draft forecast document may be found here.

Draft Regional Growth Forecast Public Workshop

Date: Monday, November 5, 2018
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 P.M.
Santa Barbara County Association of Governments - Wisteria Conference Room
260 N. San Antonio Road, Suite B
Santa Barbara, CA 93110

If you have any questions or comments on the draft forecast or the public workshop, please contact Michael Becker at: mbecker@sbcag.org or (805) 961-8912.

The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments staff will be holding three public hearings and one public workshop to learn about the transit needs of the residents of Santa Barbara County. Please plan to attend and present your comments or concerns about transit service in Santa Barbara County.

Public Hearings:

Santa Barbara: Tuesday, October 30, 5:30 pm, Faulkner Gallery, Santa Barbara Central Library, 40 E. Anapamu St.

Santa Maria: Tuesday, November 6, 12:00 pm AND 5:30 pm, Shepard Hall, Santa Maria Central Public Library, 421 S. McClelland

Public Workshop:

Lompoc: Thursday, November 1, 4:00 pm, Lompoc Council Chambers, 100 Civic Center Plaza

Simply come to a public hearing to present your comments or concerns about transit service in Santa Barbara County.

You may also send your comments in writing by November 30, 2018 to:

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments
260 N. San Antonio Rd., Suite B
Santa Barbara, CA 93110

-or by email to-
comment@sbcag.org 

2018 Unmet Transit Needs Hearings Flyer (English)
2018 Unmet Transit Needs Hearings Flyer (Spanish)

The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments is providing notice of its intention to amend Fast Forward 2040, the Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP-SCS).  The purpose of this amendment is to add two separate projects to the RTP-SCS.

Project 1:  Santa Monica Road / Via Real Intersection Improvements.  Amendment #1 adds this project to Fast Forward 2040 as a programmed project.  All project phases are included – environmental, preliminary engineering, design, right of way, and construction.  This intersection includes US 101 ramp termini and is located in the City of Carpinteria.  Project cost estimates are $2.69 million for the environmental and design aspects, and $3.61 million for construction.  The funding for this project comes from SB 1 Local Partnership Program Formula and SB 1 Congested Corridors, neither of which were considered during the development of Fast Forward 2040.

Project 2:  State Street Undercrossing Sidewalk and Bike Lane Improvements.  Amendment #1 adds this project to Fast Forward 2040 as an illustrative project.  This project is located in the City of Santa Barbara, on State Street between Gutierrez Street and Yanonali Street.  This project is estimated to cost $5.48 million and is currently unfunded.  The City of Santa Barbara will seek State grant funding to advance the project.
 
SBCAG is holding a hearing to receive public comment on this amendment.

The hearing will be held:
Date:      Thursday, June 21, 2018
Time:      10:00 AM
Place:     Board of Supervisors Hearing Room
                105 E. Anapamu St., 4th Floor
                Santa Barbara, CA

Remote testimony is also available at the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria, CA. If you cannot attend the hearing, you may still submit written comments up until Friday, June 22, 2018.  You may e-mail them to comment@sbcag.org  or mail them to SBCAG at 260 North San Antonio Road, Suite B, Santa Barbara, CA 93110.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations to participate in the meeting should contact SBCAG at least three working days prior to the meeting at (805) 961-8900.  For more information, call SBCAG at 961-8900.  Favor de llamar a SBCAG al 961-8900, para más información del reunion.

The California Transportation Commission approved $226 million in SB 1 state gas tax funding for the U.S. 101 HOV Widening Project in south Santa Barbara County at its meeting last Wednesday in Orange County.
 
Marjie Kirn, SBCAG Executive Director, said “Thanks to new transportation money from the SB1 state gas tax signed into law by Governor Brown last year, the California Transportation Commission now has funding available to accelerate construction of the 101 HOV Widening Project. We are very excited to be able continue the forward momentum from the bridge construction work currently underway in Carpinteria. In addition to the CTC funding allocation this week, we are very hopeful the Commission will also look favorably on our pending $183 million state grant funding request. If successful, we will have the funding necessary to complete the next three segments of the 101 widening from Carpinteria north through the Sheffield interchange in Montecito.”
 
Santa Barbara County voters approved Measure A in 2008 to raise the local sales tax to fund regional transportation projects. Local Measure A funds are combined with additional state and federal funding to fully fund highway projects like the 101 HOV Widening in south Santa Barbara County. Measure A provides $140 million in locally controlled transportation funding that, combined with additional state or federal funding, will fund the remaining ten mile segment of the 101 between Santa Barbara and Carpinteria.
 
Joan Hartmann, Santa Barbara County Supervisor and SBCAG Board Chair, said “ Santa Barbara County taxpayers voted to use local Measure A transportation sales tax funds to attract additional state funding for SBCAG’s highest regional transportation priority – constructing new peak hour carpool lanes on the 101 freeway. With the passage of the SB1 new state gas tax, the California Transportation Commission can now bring critically needed state transportation funding to partner with SBCAG & Caltrans to keep the 101 HOV project on track.”
 
The California Transportation Commission is expected to make an allocation decision on SBCAG’s additional $183 million SB 1 funded transportation grant application at its May 2018 meeting. If this grant application is successful, the next three segments of the 101 HOV Project, from Bailard Avenue in Carpinteria to past the Sheffield Interchange in Montecito, can begin construction in late 2019.