BayRail Alliance

Kurt Evans -- Introduction to Transportation Funding

Time/date:
Thursday, April 19, 2007
6:15 PM - 8:10 PM

Where does the money come from to keep our buses and trains running? The world of transportation funding is highly complex --  even many long-time observers have trouble understanding how all the pieces, history and acronyms fit together.  Kurt Evans of VTA will provide an overview of how transportation funding works in California, with particular attention to funds for public transit.

Kurt Evans has been the state and federal government affairs manager for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) for the past 12 years.  In this capacity, he is mainly responsible for coordinating VTA's advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels.  He also represents VTA on a number of associations that are involved in advocacy work in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., such as the California Transit Association, the Self-Help Counties Coalition, and the American Public Transportation Association.  Prior to joining VTA, Kurt was the transportation policy aide for a former member of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, principal legislative assistant for a former member of the California State Assembly, and deputy press secretary for a former Governor of Colorado.

Location:
back room of Cafe Yulong, 743 W. Dana St.
Mountain View

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1991 — PR2000 (later known as BayRail Alliance) successfully fights California Transportation Commission to release Prop. 116 funds for right-of-way purchase from SP. Purchase later includes Dumbarton line, and trackage rights to Gilroy. CTC releases funds on condition that train service increase to 60 trains per weekday and a stronger local agency is created to run the service.

1990 — PR2000 (later known as BayRail Alliance) campaigns with TRAC and PCL to pass Proposition 116, a $1.9 billion bond measure for rail projects, including soon-to-begin Capitol Corridor trains, Caltrain right-of-way purchase. PR2000 wins MTC Award of Merit for its role in the campaign.

April 6, 2002, San Jose Mercury News

“Caltrain trips will cost a little more  Other agencies consider changes to offset budget woes”

June 7, 2002, Palo Alto Daily News

Article: Caltrain budget stalled; It's BART vs. Caltrain”

June 11, 2002, San Mateo Independent

Article: “Caltrain out of joint over track electrification  Santa Clara may not come up with money for its share”