Caltrans has announced new measures to strengthen its commitment to public transportation in California. The agency is creating a Deputy Director for Transit and Rail Programs and restoring the Division of Mass Transportation. These changes are intended to build a dedicated team focused on providing faster, more reliable, and better-connected transit services throughout the state.
The department also released its first comprehensive Director’s Policy on Transit. This policy supports coordinated and efficient transit and rail services along the State Highway System, aiming to improve connections for millions of riders in California.
According to Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy, “The Director’s Policy outlines the department’s vision of delivering transit priority projects on state highways and enhancing our role in developing transit statewide.” She explained that it emphasizes infrastructure such as dedicated bus lanes and signal priority to make road-based transit faster and more reliable. El-Tawansy added, “These changes will help reduce travel times, improve safety, and make transit a more attractive option for Californians.” The policy also seeks to improve air quality by reducing cars on roadways and lowering greenhouse gas emissions while making transit a core part of Caltrans’ decision-making process.
To support these goals, Caltrans is aligning resources by establishing the new executive role of Deputy Director for Transit and Rail Programs. This position will oversee related programs and accelerate projects aimed at improving efficiency and accessibility in public transportation.
The Division of Mass Transportation will partner with the Division of Rail to work closely with other organizations integrating transit into California’s broader transportation system. They will also collaborate with the newly formed California Transit Advisory Committee (CALTAC). CALTAC consists of 20 member agencies representing various stakeholders including transit agencies, universities, disadvantaged communities, and experts. The committee will meet regularly to keep policies up-to-date with best practices. According to Caltrans, “CALTAC will position Caltrans to develop a world-class, equitable transit system.”
These organizational changes are designed so that leadership structure and policy coordination work together toward building an improved statewide network for public transport.
