Mtn. View Goes Bold With BRT

Too often, policy decisions are made on narrowly focused considerations, such as politics or special interests, and do not give proper weight to the true benefits of a proposal. Last Tuesday, the Mountain View City Council bucked that trend by voting in favor of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Councilmember Ken Rosenberg, Vice Mayor Patricia Showalter, and Councilmember Michael Kasperzak courageously led the charge to bring affordable transportation options and more walkable, bikeable streets to Mountain View—through BRT with transit-only lanes.

We use words like “courageous” and “bold” to describe the actions of those civic leaders because they took their share of sharp criticism for daring to suggest commuters get out of their beloved cars.

The Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) proposed El Camino Bus Rapid Transit Project, dubbed as a “surface subway” would reduce congestion, advance social equity and environmental protection, and promote healthy lifestyles. The Councilmembers boldly took a stand to represent the needs of all members of our community, including low-income workers that make up the majority of the Valley’s workforce, by supporting BRT with transit-only lanes, pedestrian upgrades, and bike lanes along El Camino Real.

The City Council meeting continued well past 11:00 p.m. for the councilmembers to have a meaningful discussion and vote in favor of the project.

Vice Mayor Showalter, for example, spoke passionately during the meeting about emergency response times with transit-only lanes and how it is an opportunity to improve public safety for communities along the El Camino corridor because first-responders will be able to access the lanes when necessary.

Meanwhile, Councilmember Rosenberg expressed that with no transportation options, growing traffic congestion, and his strong belief that the city should be doing far more to accommodate the Valley’s anticipated population and job growth in a sensible manner—he was compelled to cast a YES vote.

Councilmember Rosenberg spoke about how this project promotes smart growth in the region. For example, El Camino Real, in particular, will experience a 33% growth in population between 2010 and 2040, leading to an even greater need for the integration of higher capacity and more efficient forms of transportation. The city’s population growth of more than 15,000 households and 15,600 jobs by 2040 will translate into considerably greater traffic congestion, unless they take steps now to provide real options to both workers and residents across the County.

The vote for BRT with transit-only lanes sends a signal to the region that Mountain View is committed to responsible planning and solutions that reduce our environmental footprint and provide real transportation options that can be enjoyed by residents and workers of all incomes. Rather than killing a good project with some imperfections or loose ends, supportive policymakers have positioned themselves to instead work with VTA to make the project even better, such as allowing public/private shuttles to use the transit lanes and ensuring better connecting transit services.

We are grateful to Mountain View for taking an important step towards sensible and sound policymaking by supporting true BRT implementation along this critical commercial, residential, civic, and transportation corridor. Please reach out to Mountain View Councilmembers and thank them for their bold vote for innovation, progress, and equity.

Vice Mayor Pat Showalter: Pat.Showalter@mountainview.gov
Councilmember Ken Rosenberg: Ken.Rosenberg@mountainview.gov
Councilmember Michael Kasperzak: Michael.Kasperzak@mountainview.gov

 Chris Lepe is a senior community planner with TransForm. Charisse Ma Lebron is the director of community development and health policy with Working Partnerships USA. 

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