To improve mobility options for low-income and disadvantaged populations, TAM manages a grassroots effort to identify local communities most important transportation challenges and develop strategies to overcome them. A community-based transportation plan is developed via a collaborative planning process that involves residents in minority and low-income communities, community and faith-based organizations that serve them, local jurisdictions, and transportation agencies including transit operators. The outcome is a plan that includes locally identified transportation needs, as well as solutions to address them.
Each plan is developed to further the objectives of the CBRTP program, which are to:
- Emphasize community participation in prioritizing transportation needs and identifying potential solutions
- Foster collaboration between local residents, community-based organizations, transit operators, congestion management agencies and MTC
- Build community capacity by involving community-based organizations in the planning process
Transportation Solutions identified in Community Based transportation Plans are prioritized for Lifeline Program funds distributed by the TAM Board of Commissioners. These funds are dedicated to address transportation gaps or barriers identified in CBTPs.
For more information about the Community-Based Transportation Plans Program, visit MTC’s website
TAM has received funds from MTC to develop community-based transportation plans for:
Canal Neighborhood Community-based Transportation Plan
The Canal Neighborhood Transportation Plan, which was completed in 2007, was a collaborative effort involving residents and community-based organizations (CBOs) providing services within minority and low-income neighborhoods, local transit operators, TAM and MTC. The plan includes a list of important improvements needed to make it safer and more comfortable for people to walk, bike and take the bus to get around the Canal and to other parts of San Rafael.
Marin City Community-based Transportation Plan
TAM and the County of Marin worked in 2009 and again in 2014 to update a community-based transportation plan for Marin City, which was adopted by the County in April 2015. The process involved residents and community-based organizations (CBOs) providing services within minority and low-income neighborhoods, the Marin City Community Services District, Marin Housing Authority, Marin County Community Development Agency, Health and Human Services, Nutrition and Wellness Program local transit operators, County of Marin Public works and TAM and MTC.
The 2015 plan assesses what was accomplished as a result of the 2009 plan and what new community needs exist. The 2015 plan also identifies potential funding sources to address these needs, including the 2015 MTC Lifeline Program.
Novato Community-based Transportation Plan
in 2014 TAM began a planning process to prepare a Community Based Transportation Plan for dispersed low income and minority populations in Novato, and developed a planning process involving a Stakeholders Committee: a seven-member group of community-based organization leaders and activists, and the Technical Advisory Committee: a 12-member group of representatives from City of Novato Departments, Marin County Agencies and the Transit Agencies (Marin Transit, Golden Gate Transit, SMART, and TAM). The plan recommends a number of proposed pedestrian, bicycle and transportation improvements and was finalized in February 2015.
Funding for Community Based Transportation Plans is provided by MTC through a competitive process. Projects identified in Community based Transportation plans become eligible for funding through the Lifeline Program, administered by TAM, dependent on funding availability from MTC.