In Memoriam: Rod Diridon Sr.

Former APTA Chair and “Father of Silicon Valley Transit”

Rodney “Rod” Diridon Sr. died April 3, 2026, at the age of 87. Widely known as the “father of modern transit” in California’s Silicon Valley, Diridon devoted more than five decades to advancing public transportation, shaping systems that continue to serve millions today.

Diridon served as APTA chair in 1992. He also chaired the association’s High-Speed & Intercity Passenger Rail Committee and was co-founder of the Diversity and Inclusion Council. He was a member of the Legislative and Transit Board Members committees, among others. Diridon was inducted into the APTA Hall of Fame in 2014.

“The public transportation industry has lost one of its most steadfast champions with the passing of Rod Diridon,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “Rod’s visionary leadership transformed mobility in California and across the nation. Through his tireless advocacy, deep commitment to public service, and enduring contributions to APTA, he helped shape the course of our industry and inspired generations of leaders who continue to advance his vision.”

As a member of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and a regional transportation leader, Diridon spearheaded a groundbreaking 1976 ballot measure establishing a half-cent sales tax for transit—the first “self-help” transportation funding measure of its kind in California. This initiative laid the financial foundation for the region’s light rail system, bus network, and future rail investments.

Throughout his career, Diridon played a central role in planning, funding, and delivering transformative transit projects. He was instrumental in extending Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) into Santa Clara County, advancing the modernization and electrification of Caltrain, and overseeing the development of multiple light rail corridors that now form the backbone of mobility in Silicon Valley. His leadership of numerous joint powers authorities and project boards helped bring complex, multi-jurisdictional transit visions to reality.

As chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the Association of Bay Area Governments, and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Diridon championed integrated regional planning and the critical link between transportation, environmental sustainability, and quality of life. During crises such as the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, he urged behavioral shifts toward shared mobility, reinforcing his long-standing commitment to reducing reliance on single-occupancy vehicles.

A passionate advocate for innovation and knowledge-sharing, Diridon founded the Mineta Transportation Institute at San José State University, serving as its first executive director and later emeritus director. Under his leadership, the institute became a nationally recognized center for transportation research, education, and policy development.

Diridon supported the development of high-speed rail in California and across the U.S. and contributed to federal policy discussions on sustainable transportation. His work helped elevate public transportation as both an environmental imperative and an economic driver.

In addition to his U.S. leadership roles, Diridon was North American vice chair of the International Transit Association (UITP) in Brussels for six years.

In recognition of his contributions, San José’s central rail hub—Diridon Station—bears his name.