Issue Position: Transportation

Issue Position

ASH'S RECORD
Ash served on the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board of Directors for over six years, including serving as Chair in 2014. Simultaneously, Ash served on the Caltrain Board of Directors and he is recognized as a leader in regional transit public policy. Ash is currently the Chair of the Transportation and Environment Committee for the City of San Jose. He has earned the endorsement of Senator Jim Beall, the current Chair of the State Senate Transportation and Housing Committee, from their work together on solving regional transportation problems to benefit all commuters.

Ash helped both VTA and Caltrain weather the rocky storms of the Great Recession, preparing them to take advantage of the expansion period of today's economy.

As member of the VTA Board of Directors, Ash was a champion for ensuring access to public transportation for everyone and led the way on many projects, including:

Setting up permanent reserves, including a $35 million sales tax stabilization reserve to ensure that VTA could continue to serve the public even during economic downturns
As Chair, leading the creation of a Governance Committee to oversee management as well as critical financial audit functions
As Chair, leading the way to form the Levi's Stadium Transit Operations Committee, including directing staff to create a mobile app specifically for fans to use while attending stadium events

Supporting efforts to ensure transit passes for disabled and low-income riders as well as a focus on access for seniors and youth
Overseeing the creation of an express light rail from south San Jose that achieved a dramatic increase in usage by dramatically shortening the transit time to downtown and beyond
Breaking ground on the first Bus Rapid Transit system in the Bay Area in 2014, helping connect east San Jose with downtown San Jose
Demanding reparations for impacted small businesses when issues arose involving a contractor who had delayed the project, disrupting life along the corridor
Heading efforts to bring BART to Silicon Valley
Consistently lobbying for adequate funding to complete all four remaining stations as part of the second phase of the project
Leading a delegation to express the needs of the community to ensure funding for BART and other transit priorities to leaders in Washington, D.C.
Breaking ground on the Berryessa station
Working to see that the opening of the first BART station in San Jose is ahead of schedule and under budget

Ash's work for increased public transportation opportunities does not stop there. Ash has also made a difference for local transportation on the Caltrain Board of Directors. Under the leadership of Ash and his colleagues on the Board, Caltrain boasts the highest ridership in its history with over 63,000 daily riders and well over a million vehicle miles taken off our roads every day. His good work with Caltrain includes:

Leading the Board's efforts to maintain the same level of service rather than making dramatic cuts that would have crippled the system during the difficult days of the recession
Tightening the budget belt, seeking cost savings in every department possible and deferring work that was not of an urgent nature until Caltrain made it through the recession, while maintaining Baby Bullet and local service
Launching the Bay Area Bike Share Program that is currently expanding its services both in numbers and stations
Expanding access for bicycles on Caltrain by voting in favor of making the new electrified train cars more bicycle friendly
As a San Jose Council Member, Ash has been a passionate supporter of expanded transit networks and working with VTA on critical infrastructure projects by:

Making the request that the city set aside dedicated funds every budget cycle specifically designed to improve traffic safety in our neighborhoods. Prior to Ash's efforts, years had gone by without funding for neighborhood traffic calming measures
Supporting recent efforts to allow ride share companies to operate at our airport while simultaneously reducing burdens on our taxicabs
Supporting Vision Zero to reduce traffic fatalities throughour our city
Supporting bicycle advocacy by working with the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition as well as promoting rides like the San Jose Bike Party to raise awareness and encourage bicycle safety throughout our city

A transportation network that considers and supports all modes of transit, from buses and trains, to bicyclists and cars, in a manner that provides a safe environment that is efficient and supportive of our community.

Ash supports:

Continuing BART to Silicon Valley until all four stations are completed, including stops in downtown and at Diridon Station
Funding for more frequent and available bus routes to connect working families and students to light rail, bus rapid transit and BART
Increased resources for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in our downtown core, neighborhood business districts, and to provide better connections to transit
Increased access to transit for youth, disabled individuals and seniors
Congestion relief on our freeways through funding for upgraded and improved expressways and freeways to allow for smooth flow of traffic, more public transit options, and safe pedestrian/bicycle passage
Dedicated funding for Caltrain rather than a reliance on county funding year-after-year
Working with tech companies and other large employers to effectively move their workforce throughout the valley in a manner that relieves congestion and improves workforce efficiency
Expanding the Bike Share Program and other last mile solutions, including public on-demand ride solutions
Increasing electric vehicle infrastructure, including ownership incentives and charging station distribution
Implementing policies for the safe operation of driverless vehicles
Increasing local funding to repair damaged roads and repave our streets

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