Transportation Is Critical

By Mary Rocha

BART, Buses and New Highway lanes -- East County needs them all.

Mary Rocha has demanded that highway expansions in East County provide land for the BART extension. This foresight keeps options open. The recent increased development fee in Antioch for new construction will help accumulate funds that will be matched by the State for highway expansion. As Supervisor, Mary will urge regional cooperation and encourage other cities to do the same.

As a member of the Tri-Delta Transit Board, Mary Rocha has worked to improve public transportation in our region to ease traffic congestion. A transportation hub like a BART station could help expand other forms of transit as well. Buses are successful in East County -- ridership is increasing annually. Efforts to tailor service to consumers are underway. Neighborhood shuttles that take people directly to BART are being tested. Six buses are being dedicated to Livermore trips to specific job centers.

We need a County Supervisor who will work on a regional basis to make transportation improvements a reality. Regional means beyond our own back yard. Mary Rocha is currently the Chair of the Contra Costa Mayors' Conference, and is constantly building partnerships with other leaders. Partnerships that will benefit East County.