Bus Transport Funds Establish Link between Monterey and Salinas via Busway and Bus Rapid Transit System
Monterey County is set to experience a significant improvement in its public transit infrastructure with the development of the SURF! Busway and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. This ambitious initiative, funded in part by grants linked to President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to modernise and streamline transportation along the congested Highway 1 corridor.
Funding and Partnership
The SURF! project has received substantial financial backing, with a $25 million grant from the California Transportation Commission (CTC) and a $14 million grant through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Capital Investment Grant Program [1][2]. This project is a collaboration between Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) and the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC), with recent progress including executed construction contracts and active construction underway [1][3][4].
Key Benefits
The SURF! project focuses on reducing traffic congestion, improving transit reliability, and promoting sustainable transportation by introducing dedicated lanes for electric buses. Advanced ridership forecasting and modeling techniques have been employed to optimise the project's design and assess its impact on travel demand and transit accessibility [2].
The BRT component offers several advantages. Faster, more reliable bus service is guaranteed due to dedicated busways separate from regular traffic. Enhanced connectivity within Monterey County, particularly linking key destinations like Salinas and Marina, is another benefit [1]. Environmental benefits are also promised through the use of electric buses, contributing to reduced emissions [1]. Improved transit accessibility supports local economic growth and mobility, especially for commuters and marginalised communities [1].
Community Engagement and Future Prospects
Community engagement events, such as the SURF! Transit Fair & Family Fun Day, demonstrate efforts to involve the public in understanding and benefiting from the project [1]. The SURF! Busway is set to begin operation by 2028, promising to reshape transit across Monterey County and expand opportunities for residents and visitors alike [1].
The $100.5 million SURF! Busway project is expected to generate 650 jobs [1]. The SURF! Busway marks MST's second BRT line, extending connectivity to popular destinations like Fort Ord Dunes State Park, Monterey's famed beaches, Salinas Transit Center, Monterey Transit Plaza, and California State University at Monterey Bay [1].
The SURF! Busway project will repurpose old railroad tracks running parallel to California's Highway 1 and will include new transit stops in Marina, Sand City, and Seaside [1]. Over a quarter of the workforce in cities along the SURF! Busway route is expected to live within a half-mile of a SURF! stop [1].
The project also includes bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements, ensuring a multimodal approach to transportation [1]. The funding for the SURF! Busway project comes from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law [1].
FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool stated that the SURF! Busway project is about creating better access to jobs, schools, and healthcare for the people who need it most [1]. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also commented that the funding will increase access to sustainable, reliable transportation [1].
In summary, the SURF! Busway and BRT project represents a major advancement in Monterey County's transportation network, leveraging federal, state, and local support to provide a modern, efficient, and clean transit solution aligned with infrastructure investments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law [1][2][3][4].
Sports enthusiasts in Monterey County will have an easier time getting to their favorite games or activities with the improved public transit system brought by the SURF! Busway and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. The project's focus on reducing traffic congestion, enhancing connectivity within the county, and promoting sustainable transportation offers a convenient and eco-friendly commuting option for sports fans and residents alike.
