Return to Platform Planks

Transportation

Transportation policy impacts all manner of American life, from economic inequality to racial justice, and environmental protection to housing affordability. Quality, affordable public transportation takes millions of vehicles off the road each year, while also allowing low-income communities access to quality jobs in other areas of the city. Transportation hubs become community centers, popular locations for retail and small businesses, and housing hot-spots. These community centers attract workers, recent graduates, couples looking for affordable starter homes, and families with young children. This diversity improves quality of life for all citizens. The Santa Clara County Democratic party recognizes the necessity of high-quality public transportation, and:

  • Supports transit oriented development: increased intensity/density along transit corridors and stations, affordable housing in transit corridors, mixed-used development, subsidies to encourage transit use, unbundled parking, and complete streets.
  • Recognizes that transportation is a regional, as well as a local issues, and encourages the county, municipalities, and transportation districts and agencies to work together to make transit convenient and affordable by improving connections/transfers and fully integrating payment systems.
  • Recognizes the need for and supports the expanded public transportation between San Jose and South County communities to alleviate traffic created by displaced commuters.
  • Supports the expansion of BART and LightRail lines to connect more city centers with residential communities, including the expansion of BART to Santa Clara Station.
  • Supports rail modernization, including electrification, level boarding, platform compatibility, and grade separation, to make rail safer, faster, environmentally sustainable, and ADA-compliant. Stable Caltrain funding is essential to achieving these goals. 
  • Supports improving the performance of key bus routes, transitioning to an all electric bus fleet, making transit more competitive, revitalizing underused corridors, and maintaining Bus Rapid Transit.
  • Supports the construction of high-speed rail to connect the Bay Area and Los Angeles.
  • Supports pedestrian and bicyclist friendly development of city centers, designated bike lines, and other policies that reduce SOV (single occupancy vehicle) trips.