Key Considerations for Public Transit Moving Forward

Key Considerations for Public Transit Moving Forward

Public transit agencies are facing an existential crisis. Ridership is recovering, but it is only about half of pre-pandemic levels. Public health protocols have increased operating costs, while revenues — from both passenger fares and government subsidies — are down, in many cases dramatically. Current efforts are focused on how to stop the financial bleeding to ensure that public transit agencies can provide essential service and survive fiscally. But when or whether passengers, fare revenues, and government subsidies return to pre-pandemic levels remain an open question. Understanding the dimensions of these challenges and the opportunities to build public transit back better will require innovative thinking, collaboration with stakeholders and workers, and leadership. Experts from the UC Institute of Transportation Studies (UC ITS) will examine the challenges facing public transit operators large and small in California and the opportunities for recovery and renewal as part of a two-part webinar series.

In this second part, UC ITS experts will share key considerations for the recovery of public transit and for achieving the state’s broader vision for more sustainable, equitable, and cost-effective transportation. Topics to be addressed include: better serving the needs of mobility disadvantaged populations; leveraging new business models, technologies, and services to attract new riders; working more effectively with the private sector; protecting workers and jobs; and financing the future of public transportation.