TRANSACTIONS NEWSLETTER ONLINE

• Approved BART’s application for $98 million in 2002–03 federal New Starts money for the extension to San Francisco International Airport (see related story). The request now goes to the Federal Transit Administration, which has committed to a full-funding grant agreement that ultimately will deliver $750 million to the project. (MTC Resolution 2451, revised)
• Voted to support with amendments Assembly Bill 594 (Leno), which would exempt bikeway projects from the California Environmental Quality Act under certain conditions, and Senate Bill 760 (Scott), which would permanently exempt from sales tax lease/leaseback transactions involving public transit equipment. The Commission also acted to oppose unless amended Assembly Bill 626 (Liu), which would prohibit state agencies from owning or leasing 15-passenger vans. Such vans are a cornerstone of the paratransit industry, and are widely used by community colleges and universities. MTC’s proposed amendment calls for prohibiting only those vehicles that fail to meet safety tests.
• Made a series of 12 appointments to the MTC Advisory Council, extended the terms of seven current members for a year and broadened the membership to include a news media category. In addition to the media, the group represents a broad cross section of interests, including business, labor, academia, the architecture and engineering professions, communities, transportation users, the environment, and safety.
  (MTC Resolution 3516, revised)

• BART to SFO
  • BART Goes International With Extension to SFO
  • Regional Accord Paves Way For BART Airport Extension
  • Facts and Figures: BART Extension to SFO Up Close
• Power Players Visit Bay Area
• In Brief
  • Transportation 2030: Get Involved Via Online Poll
  • 2002 Annual Report Demystifies MTC
  • 511 Service Scores State Award
• Commission Actions