SBCTA has been developing a Long Range Multimodal Transportation Plan (LRMTP) that responds to key challenges and new policy initiatives not anticipated by the previous Countywide Transportation Plan. The transportation system envisioned in the LRMTP should enable SBCTA and its jurisdictions to thrive across the diverse spectrum of its population, geography, economic conditions, and natural and built environments as illustrated by the Draft Strategic Priority Action Plan that was shared with the SBCTA Board of Directors at their recent meeting.
The Draft Strategic Priority Action Plan lists recommended key actions by strategic priority for five crucial issues, including: 1) mobility, 2) goods movement, 3) climate adaptation, and resiliency, 4) disadvantaged communities, and 5) funding.
The strategic priority of “mobility” includes working toward enhancing the core transit network, local coordination on transit-focused land use and first/last mile connections, and completion of the Interstate 10 and Interstate 15 managed lane network. Promotion of non-motorized transportation facilities, vanpooling, carpooling, and telework are also part of the transportation demand management strategy.
The draft strategy for goods movement is to improve high volume freight corridors and address freight bottlenecks while accelerating the transition to clean trucks and promoting a shift from truck to rail wherever practical.
To address climate adaptation and resiliency, it will be important to incentivize transit and shared rides where possible. Major transit service improvements in bus and rail systems and zero-emission buses and trucks are all part of the climate adaptation strategy. The LRMTP also expresses support for development of hydrogen hubs and zero-emission charging/fueling infrastructure.
Since San Bernardino County includes many areas designated as disadvantaged according to State and Federal criteria, the strategic priorities include continuation of demand-responsive service for residents with limited mobility options, increased free and reduced fare programs, and prioritization of multimodal improvements.
The reality is that the limiting factor for implementation of LRMTP projects will be funding.
Nonetheless, the Draft Strategic Priority Action Plan identifies tactics aimed at securing additional funds through State and Federal opportunities, additional flexibility in a future Measure I, use of excess toll revenue for transit, development of a vehicle miles traveled mitigation bank, continued contributions from new development, as well as the continued effort to pursue State and Federal grants.
A full draft will be prepared and is expected to be released this month. A review period will follow and a final LRMTP report brought back to SBCTA committees in February 2025.