*Trans*Form e-news: September 1, 2010 * Your monthly pass to world-class public transportation and more wonderful, walkable communities.* /*URGENT: we need you to take action right now <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/f002230209> to tell the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to stop BART’s insanity! Why?*/ TransForm just released an independent analysis <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/6d57771919> by a renowned engineering firm that shows what a boondoggle the $500,000,000 Oakland Airport Connector is: *taxpayers will spend _$102_ for each person who rides it! *And this doesn’t count the $12 roundtrip fare riders will pay on top of their BART fare. *This is pure insanity – especially when there is an alternative *that would cost $350 million less and attract many more riders by providing faster, cheaper, and more convenient service. *Take action and email MTC now* <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/558d0e129f> to vote no to funding the project on September 8 and *watch and share our new video <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/13ad504d77>* about the boondoggle. *Read on for more news, action and events: NEWS & ACTION* * *Rally for funds for public transportation at noon tomorrow in Oakland* <#rally> * *TransForm says a strong no to Props. 23 and 26; neutral on Prop. 22* <#transform%20says> * *Vote yes November 2 on vehicle fees for your county* <#vote%20yes> * *We need YOU to inspire kids to walk and bike to school* <#we%20need> * *A special thanks to Microsoft for their in-kind gift* <#a%20special> *EVENTS* * *Take a ‘transit treasure hunt’ in San Francisco September 2* <#take%20a> * *Explore a new neighborhood on foot or bicycle September 19* <#explore> * *RSVP now for September 21 TransForum and get the inside scoop on the Oakland Airport Connector campaign * <#rsvp> * *GreenTRIP featured at SPUR September 22* <#greentrip> * *Federal transportation reform is the focus at SPUR September 30* <#federal> * *Bike up Mount Diablo on October 3* <#bike> * *October 12 San Mateo event looks at how to use public spaces to promote health* <#october> * *October training gives you the skills to win bike, ped, and transit improvements* <#october%20training> * *October 15 conference looks at what makes housing affordable* <#october%2015> *NEWS & ACTION* *Rally for funds for public transportation at noon tomorrow in Oakland* Join Genesis <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/198d30f99c>, the Amalgamated Transit Union <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/b3cf84fb80>, and the Transportation Equity Network <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/9cd7f168ca> as part of a national day of action asking our local and federal leaders to increase funding for public transportation. *The rally will start at noon at the unemployment office at 1212 Broadway in Oakland.* This location has been chosen to make a statement about the many jobs that would be created by increasing funding! *TransForm says a strong no to Props. 23 and 26; neutral on Prop. 22* TransForm urges you to vote no on Propositions 23 and 26 on November 2. Prop. 23, the Dirty Energy Initiative, would halt California’s initiatives to become a world leader in creating green jobs and fighting climate change. Prop. 26, the Polluter Protection Initiative, would make it much harder to get huge corporations to take responsibility for environmental and health damage they create (and is bankrolled by polluters). TransForm has taken a neutral position on Prop. 22, the Local Taxpayer, Public Safety, and Transportation Protection Act of 2010. * Learn more about our take on these ballot measures <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/28f3e86c75> and spread the word to vote no on Prop 23 and 26!* *Vote yes November 2 on vehicle fees for your county* If you live in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Sonoma County, you have a chance to vote for much-needed transportation funding on Election Day. These seven counties are asking voters to approve a $10 vehicle registration fee to help pay for a range of transportation needs, from fixing potholes to public transportation improvements. We urge you to support these fees. *Learn what the fees will fund where you live <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/888346ebb2>. We need YOU to inspire kids to walk and bike to school* Want healthier kids, cleaner air, and less traffic during rush hour? Then give an hour of your time to inspire more kids to walk and bike safely to school as part of International Walk or Roll to School Day <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/d65e216149> during the week of October 6. We need folks to help pass out prizes at nearly 60 schools around Alameda County. And if you’re a parent, urge your child’s school to participate in International Walk to School Day. *Contact Nora* <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/c7f7865f3e>, TransForm's Safe Routes to School program director, *to volunteer in Alameda County during the week of October 6.* *A special thanks to Microsoft for their in-kind gift* Many thanks to Microsoft for donating a ton of software to us. Gifts like this allow us to put more of our funding towards our advocacy work. If you ever have something you’d like to donate to TransForm (office supplies, beer or wine for our events, etc.), don’t hesitate to contact Susanna <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/71aa6c0a36> - we'd be so grateful! *EVENTS* *Take a ‘transit treasure hunt’ in San Francisco September 2* A documentary, Mind the Gap <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/7ef57e714f>, is being made on public transportation systems around the world and will feature the Bay Area. TransForm’s Marta Lindsey will be one of the speakers along the ‘transit treasure hunt’ being organized in support of the film on the evening of September 2. *Register now <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/114d32c5eb> for this fun event (note: a donation of $5 or more is requested to help to bring this film to life).* *Explore a new neighborhood on foot or bicycle September 19* If you haven’t experienced the wonders of one of the Bay Area’s car-free streets events yet, get out there! Enjoy roads all the way from Japantown to the Panhandle completely car-free at the upcoming Sunday Streets Western Addition Edition. *Get a map and details <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/3acb96799f>. RSVP now for September 21 TransForum and get the inside scoop on the Oakland Airport Connector campaign* TransForm’s John Knox White will share the insider’s perspective on the our long battle for BART to come up with a better Oakland Airport Connector project, including a closer look at the groundbreaking study <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/9fe40183e4> comparing the proposed project with both existing AirBART service and a Bus Rapid Transit alternative. The TransForum is from 5:30 – 7:30 on Tuesday, September 21 at our Oakland office; drinks and snacks will be provided. TransForays are free for TransForm members <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/46adb427d5> and $5 for non-members. *Register by September 17 (events often sell out) <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/b47f0da1db>.* *GreenTRIP featured at SPUR September 22* GreenTRIP <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/a7e8692585>, TransForm's cutting-edge new program, certifies residential and mixed-use developments that keep the number of new parking spaces as low as possible and offer incentives for new tenants to drive less and own fewer vehicles. Since these types of developments create less parking and driving, there’s more space for shops, services, and affordable homes – plus less traffic and pollution. Learn about GreenTRIP and hear from developers whose projects we have deemed “GreenTRIP-certified” at the lunchtime forum on September 22 at the San Francisco Planning + Urban Research Association. *Get all the details to attend. <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/a238247e93>* *Federal transportation reform is the focus at SPUR September 30* The upcoming federal transportation bill needs to break with the past and dramatically shifts funds towards public transportation, smart growth, and repairing our aging roads and bridges rather than building more highways. Can we make this happen? Hear from TransForm’s transportation program director, Carli Paine <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/60b14f943f>, and the California field organizer for the Transportation For America campaign, Shannon Tracey <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/98f99f41f6>, and others at the September 30 lunchtime forum at the San Francisco Planning + Urban Research Association. *Learn more about this SPUR event. <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/a2f73e8387>* *Bike up Mount Diablo on October 3* The Mount Diablo Challenge is an 11.2-mile timed bike ride to the summit of Mount Diablo that supports our good friends in open space protection, Save Mount Diablo <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/bb033dd5ad>. The ride is open to riders of all ages and levels, so *sign up now <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/cd3c937a29>*! *October 12 San Mateo event looks at how to use public spaces to promote health* Head to San Mateo on October 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 for the free (lunch provided!), half-day Active Public Spaces Convening. The convening willfeature keynote speaker Dan Burden, Executive Director and Founder of Walkable and Livable Communities Institute <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/fc4061a84d>, an internationally recognized authority on livable and sustainable communities, traffic calming, bicycle and pedestrian mobility, and smart growth. *To learn more and ensure a spot please contact Gina Quiney at gquiney@co.sanmateo.ca.us or 650-363-4460.* *October training gives you the skills to win bike, ped, and transit improvements* On October 15 - 17 right here in TransForm’s offices, Walk Oakland Bike Oakland <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/da0f878c95/pageid=1> and the Alliance for Biking and Walking <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/13c63e76be> present “Winning Campaigns”: a training for new and seasoned advocates alike to gain skills and knowledge to become more effective champions for biking, walking, and public transportation. The training covers how to choose, plan for, and implement a real campaign in your community. *Learn more or register now. <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/a6920490b6>* *October 15 conference looks at what makes housing affordable* San Mateo County's premier conference on housing policy and issues will be held on October 15, in Redwood City. This year’s conference will look at the role of transportation, jobs, and walkable streets in making housing truly affordable. *Learn more and register <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TransForm/93997d7c01/d9c8a8b088/4e1d9b85b1/id=118>*. Marta Lindsey, Communications and Development Director *Trans*Form (Formerly TALC, the Transportation and Land Use Coalition) 436 14th Street, Suite 600, Oakland, CA 94612 510.740.3150x321 www.TransFormCA.org www.facebook.com/TransFormCA www.twitter.com/TransForm_Alert