Challenges, Games, Learning, and Connection: California Celebrates Transit Month

California transit agencies kept riders engaged and informed about the role of public transportation as they celebrated California Transit Month in September. Throughout the state, agencies supported educational and fun events, including rider contests, meet-and-greets, facility tours, and wide-ranging discussions on public transportation.

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), Caltrain, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, Wheels, and others used the month to draw attention to the importance of safe, reliable, affordable, and accessible public transit for all. The message comes at a time when several agencies are warning of a financial crisis and highlighting the essential service provided by transit.

SFMTA’s Muni kicked off the month with a rally focusing on ridership recovery, service and efficiency improvements, and investments for the next generation of buses. The agency posted a new Taken with Transportation podcast, featuring Jac Matter Resnik, creator of Community, a magazine that celebrates the transit system. It also released “Muni Routle,” a game that tests Muni route knowledge.

Other activities included Bussin’ Bingo, where riders collect stamps and stickers for a bingo card by visiting participating businesses and organizations, and a Read & Ride collaboration with San Francisco Public Library, where riders log time spent reading while on Muni.

BART’s activities included a ride-along with transit CEOs, an interactive exhibit at the Western Railway Museum, and a BART “speedrun,” where participants visit all 50 BART stations as quickly as possible.

Recognizing the people behind transit, the initiative sought nominations for a “Transit Hero”—people or projects that have improved life for transit riders over the past year. Learn more at: https://www.ca.transitmonth.org/