As one of the highest rated transit projects in the nation, the agency’s BRT will link one of the busiest traffic corridors in the Bay Area with a fast, economical and environmentally friendly means of transportation.
Oakland, Calif.-based AC Transit signed an agreement with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) that commits the last of the funding needed to complete its East Bay Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, a nationally revered transit operation that will enhance bus reliability and reduce commute times along a corridor routinely knotted by traffic.
“With the East Bay BRT project, AC Transit continues to execute its vision to provide a truly world-class transit service that is convenient, reliable and safe; one that increases mobility, enhances the quality of life and improves the health of the environment throughout the communities we serve,” said AC Transit GM David Armijo. “I know we would not be where we are today without the support of our project partners: the cities of Oakland and San Leandro, Caltrans, as well as our congressional representatives who provided letters of support at a critical point in this process to ensure this FTA funding.”
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As one of the highest rated transit projects in the nation, AC Transit’s BRT will link one of the busiest traffic corridors in the Bay Area with a fast, economical and environmentally friendly means of transportation. It will connect downtown Oakland to downtown San Leandro with dedicated lanes, transit signal priority and artistically-enhanced stations with level boarding.
By reducing traffic levels and significantly cutting emissions and pollutants, BRT offers residents a viable alternative to driving on congested city streets. Additionally, BRT combines the express service and capacity of light rail with the convenience and affordability of riding a bus.
The new BRT line will provide approximately 27,000 weekday trips when the line opens in 2017. The project will include 7.4 miles of dedicated bus lanes to speed service, as well as 34 new bus stations with real-time arrival information, level boarding platforms and ticket vending machines.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is contributing approximately $81 million toward the $174 million total cost of the East Bay BRT project, including $50 million from FTA’s Capital Investment Grant Program, $25 million in FTA Bus and Bus Facilities funds, and $6 million in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program funds. The remaining cost will be covered by state and local funding sources.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
Rolling out in electric yellow and seafoam blue, the first battery-electric buses purchased from GILLIG will begin serving riders in south King County on February 2.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, MCTS, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
While their comprehensive analysis of bus stops focused on Massachusetts, the researchers are excited about the generalizability of the findings and application to other locations.
CEO Nat Ford’s address offered a look at highlights from 2025, with a focus on the future and the innovative ways the JTA is shaping mobility in Northeast Florida.
