Report to the Commission: December 17, 2025

Personnel

Raleigh Merrill — Raleigh started in June 2018 as an Assistant Planner/Analyst. Her last day was Dec. 12 as a Principal Program Coordinator in the Funding Policy and Programs section.

I’m sorry to share the sad news that our friend and colleague Peter Lee passed away suddenly on Friday, Nov. 21. Peter worked at MTC for almost 28 years, most recently as the Assistant Director of Field Operations in Capital Delivery, Asset Management and Roadside Tolling. Peter’s contributions helped thousands of Bay Area commuters and will have a lasting impact on the region. He will be greatly missed. I’ll have further details to share on an agency tribute for Peter at a later time.

Huge kudos to the Clipper team and our transit agency partners for launching the Next Generation Clipper system last week. Chair Noack joined Mayor Lurie, State Senator Weiner, partner agencies, representatives from the Clipper contractor Cubic Transportation Systems, advocates, and MTC staff to celebrate this long-awaited milestone. Our staff continues to work with the Cubic team to troubleshoot and expeditiously address some glitches with ticket vending machines and the mobile app. The customer service center has been able to keep up with the call volume. With the new “tap-and-ride” features, riders can now use a contactless bank card for fare payment on all Bay Area transit systems that accept Clipper, receive discounted transfers when using more than one transit agency in a single trip, and manage multiple accounts through the Clipper app.

Commissioner Miley represented MTC at a ribbon-cutting ceremony last month for the State Route 84 Expressway Modernization and State Route 84/Interstate 680 Interchange Improvement Project. Details are available on the blog: RM3 toll.

On December 10, the Strategic Growth Council awarded Cycle 9 of the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program, which is funded through Cap and Trade/Cap and Invest auctions. The Bay Area received six awards totaling over $272 million, representing 33% of the funding awarded. Projects will receive funding in San Francisco, Alameda, Oakland, Mountain View, and San Jose, supporting more than 800 affordable housing units and numerous related transportation improvements such as zero-emission ferries and railcars, and pedestrian, bicycle, and transit rider facilities. BAHFA previously awarded complementary Priority Sites loans that support AHSC awards in San Francisco (Treasure Island) and San Jose.

The Bay Area received 7% of the nationwide funding for the Low/No and Bus/Bus Facilities program, for a total of $139 million. Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority, Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA), Marin County Transit, Napa Valley Transportation Authority District, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) were among the awardees. These awards will fund more than 60 hybrid buses, support LAVTA’s Big Bus project, and upgrade several maintenance facilities.

The Solano 80 Express Lanes started operating yesterday. This milestone has been years in the works, made possible by the strong partnership among MTC, the Solano Transportation Authority, and the state. Solano 80 will operate from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week as weekend hours are tested during a three-year pilot. HOV3+ is free while HOV2 pays half the posted toll. Income-eligible drivers can receive a 50% discount on Solano 80 and 880 in Alameda County through the Express Lanes START pilot.

Starting January 1, 2026, the first phase of BATA’s toll increase to fund preservation, rehabilitation, and operation of the Bay Area’s seven state-owned bridges takes effect. Tolls for all regular two-axle cars and trucks will rise from $8.00 to $8.50. Carpool discounts will require three or more people at all seven state-owned bridges, including the Dumbarton and San Mateo-Hayward bridges. Communications to the public began in late October and will continue through early 2026

The Draft Plan Bay Area 2050+ public comment deadline is tomorrow, Dec. 18, at 5 p.m. This updated long-range regional plan outlines a strategic framework to guide the Bay Area’s growth, investment, and resilience over the next 25 years. The public comment period opened on Monday, Oct. 20 and has included multiple opportunities for public participation, including four subregional webinars focused on the North Bay, South Bay, East Bay, and West Bay, as well as three public hearings designed to solicit feedback from across the region. To access the materials visit: Plan Bay Area

On Friday, Dec. 5, Chair Noack and Nick Roethel, along with COMTO Executive Board President DeNise Blake and Treasurer Luz Campos, attended the COMTO NorCal 40th Anniversary and Industry Awards Gala to receive the Public Agency of the Year Award on behalf of MTC-ABAG. The award recognizes outstanding excellence, leadership, innovation, and impact in serving the community

On Nov. 24, BATA released a Request for Qualifications for the next-generation FasTrak Regional Customer Service Center System. This marks the start of a transformative Back Office initiative designed to deliver a flexible, future-ready solution that adapts to rapid technological change and evolving operational needs. The procurement will follow a two-step process, with firms shortlisted during the RFQ phase invited to collaborate on final requirements and submit a proposal. A contract award is expected in late 2026