Marin Commutes Launches New Rewards Program
The new Marin Commutes Rewards program allows anyone who lives or works in Marin County to earn up to $500 per year for logging eligible green trips. Wherever you’re going, you’ll be able to earn rewards for walking, biking, taking transit, carpooling and vanpooling—even working from home!
How it Works:
1. Register for a Marin Commutes Rewards account or log in to your existing account.
2. Log your green trips.
3. Get rewarded!
|
|
|
|
Special Launch Promotions - This Month Only!
There are two ways you can earn even more rewards during October!
|
|
Tell your friends for a chance to win $100!
For every friend that mentions you when they register, you’ll get an entry for the chance to win a $100 gift card!
|
Take a survey for a chance to win $50!
Everyone who completes a brief survey will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card!
|
|
|
Attention Marin County Employers and Business Community!
Help us spread the word by sharing this program information with your employees and stakeholders!
Marin Commutes Rewards can help you engage with and reward employees for their green commutes and help you track the impact of your commuter programs. Many Marin County employers are already doing so!
Email us at marincommutes@tam.ca.gov to learn more.
|
|
|
Safe Routes to Schools Participating in iWalk - Wednesday October 12th!
International Walk & Roll to School Day (iWalk) is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and rolling to school on the same day. It began in 1997 as a one-day event and, over time, this event has become an annual event happening every October.
This event builds year-long excitement around getting to school in people-powered ways (bikes, scooters, skateboards or simply walking) that are good for our health, our environment, and our communities. Keep your eye out this coming Wednesday, October 12th as schools all over the county led by TAM's Safe Routes to Schools program encourage students to walk, bike, scooter, or creatively roll their way to and from school!
|
|
|
TAM Recommends $11.9M in OBAG 3 Project Funding
$11.9M in federal funding from the One Bay Area Grant program (OBAG) was recommended for seven Marin County projects by the TAM Board of Directors at the September 22 Board of Commissioners meeting. OBAG funding is administered through the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), and funded for this third round of grants through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), commonly referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
|
|
|
OBAG 3 emphasizes projects and programs that improve safety, spur economic development, support Equity Priority Communities, and help the Bay Area meet climate change and air quality improvement goals.
TAM received 17 project applications from nine applicants, and has recommended seven for funding totaling $11.9M. Final project selection and funding amounts will be determined by MTC. TAM will provide an update on the projects once they have been selected by MTC early next year.
|
|
Eyes Up! Marin County Street Smarts New Safety Campaign
In mid-October, the Street Smarts Program as part of the Safe Routes to Schools Program will be rolling out a new safety campaign including new messaging and images. The “Eyes Up, Marin” campaign will include new banners, yard signs, bus ads and an outreach campaign with media and social media.
Street Smarts is a traffic safety program that educates drivers, pedestrians and cyclists about safety issues, including distracted driving. The goal is to encourage people to adopt new attitudes and behaviors that will reduce the number of traffic-related accidents and make our streets safer for everyone.
|
|
|
|
In addition to providing educational materials and presentations, the program focuses on placing outdoor advertising at “hotspots” throughout Marin County – bold reminders at the locations where traffic problems occur most frequently. The placement of specific messages was determined based on findings from the 2018 Systemic Safety Analysis Report as well as analysis of 2016-2020 countywide collision data from the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System. Keep your eyes up for the messages coming to a roadway near you!
|
|
Safe Routes to Schools Fall Newsletter!
Read the Safe Routes to Schools Fall newsletter to learn about upcoming activities and information, including the new Buddy-Up contest, the Pump-it Up P.E. challenge, a focused article and factsheet on E-Bike Safety, and improvements around schools.
|
|
|
Alternative Fuel and Electric Vehicle (EV) Program Update
With the passage in 2010 of voter-approved Measure B, the $10 Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF), TAM developed an Alternative Fuel and EV Program. This program has three main areas:
- Public property electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure
- Public agency EV fleet conversion
- Public outreach and technical assistance
Since the October 2020 Alternative Fuel program update, TAM staff have continued to deliver rebates, outreach and technical assistance initiative, including:
|
|
|
- Develop a Countywide EV Acceleration Strategy with Marin Climate and Energy Partnership (MCEP)
- Ongoing delivery of the EV Fleet and EV Charging Stations rebates
- Conducted a Letter of Interest process for the "next wave" of public agency EV investments
- Completed short-term, local jurisdiction-led outreach efforts
- Drafted an outreach plan with an approach for advancing equity to meet program goals
|
|
Measure B Review Update
The 10-year review process is underway for the Measure B Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF) Expenditure Plan, passed by Marin County voters in 2010. Measure B contributes approximately $2.3M to help fund a variety of transportation projects and programs in Marin County.
Revenues generated by Measure B are distributed to the following three areas:
1. Maintain Local Streets and Pathways
2. Improve Transit for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities
3. Reduce Congestion and Pollution
|
|
|
|
The review process was initiated at the May 16 meeting of the TAM Citizens' Oversight Committee (COC) and continued at the June and July COC meetings. Additional outreach with TAM partners and stakeholders has been ongoing. At the October 24 COC meeting, Measure B update recommendations will be considered by the COC. The staff report and agenda details will be posted during the week of October 17. The public is encouraged to provide input to the process by attending the meeting or providing written comments. Please sign-up to receive meeting notifications, or visit the Measure B webpage for more information.
|
|
TAM Project Status Updates Available
TAM staff periodically provides updates on the status and progress of the many projects that are sponsored and/or funded by TAM. Get the latest updates on the following projects:
- US-101 Marin-Sonoma Narrows
- North-South Greenway Gap Closure Project
- Bellam Boulevard Off-Ramp from NB US-101
- NB US-101 to EB I-580 Direct Connector
- State Route 37
- Highway 101 Interchanges Study
- Marin County US-101 Part Time Transit Lane Study
- Alternative Fuels Program
|
|
|
Marin-Sonoma Bike Share Pilot Program Update
COVID-19 has been particularly hard on some micro-mobility vendors. In this case Bolt Mobility - the chosen vendor of the Marin-Sonoma Bike Share Pilot Program - a partnership between TAM, the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA), SMART, Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District (GGBHTD) and many local municipalities along the SMART corridor - ceased operations, thus halting current progress on the planning, launch, and operations of a three-year, 300 e-bike, pilot program.
TAM staff and partners will work closely with the TAM Board, SCTA, MTC, and the local agency partners involved in the bike share program to determine future options for collaborating on a regional program. To date, none of the $826,000 grant has been spent. TAM will provide program updates as they are available.
|
|
|
SMART Extends 40% Fare Reduction and Free Parking Through June 2023
Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) announced the extension their programs to reduce fares by more than 40% and to provide free parking at SMART owned parking lots through June 30, 2023. SMART ridership continues to grow and these programs help support affordable and cost-effective alternatives to driving alone.
|
|
|
New Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons Being Installed in Tiburon and Mill Valley
Caltrans is installing two new high-visibility crossings at two intersections in Marin County. The first location is at Tiburon Boulevard and Steward Drive in Tiburon and is a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHB) similar to the one shown in the photo. The second location is on Highway 1 and Tennessee Valley Road in Mill Valley and is a Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon (RRFB) where flashing lights strobe on poles at both sides of the crosswalk. Work is expected to take approximately two months and will significantly improve driver notification that pedestrians are crossing as well as improving pedestrian safety.
|
|
|
SR 37 Planning and Environmental Linkages Study Update
On September 14, Caltrans and MTC hosted a meeting on the State Route 37 Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study. The PEL Study team provided an update on the work done to date to evaluate alignments for consideration as an ultimate solution to improve State Route 37.
The PEL study is intended to identify a transportation vision, determine needs, and consider alternatives within this highly sensitive and critical transportation corridor. Following the conclusion of this PEL study, targeted for December, Caltrans will initiate the environmental review process as the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)/National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) lead agency.
|
|
|
Electric Vehicle & eBike Show Held in Greenbrae
As part of National Drive Electric Week, on Saturday, September 24 an EV and e-bike show was held at Bon Air Center in Greenbrae. Attendees were able to see and learn about the latest models of EVs and e-bikes as well as get a chance to talk to existing EV and e-bike owners. This well-attended event was held in partnership with Ride & Drive Clean, MCE, and TAM.
|
|
|
Marin Adopts First-Ever Economic Vitality Strategic Plan
On August 23, the Marin County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the Marin County "Economic Vitality Strategic Plan (EVSP)” prepared by the Marin Economic Forum. The plan outlines five “Flagship Initiatives” that will deliver economic development activities throughout the county and in collaboration with non-profits, cities and towns, and the business sector.
|
|
|
|
|
|
