1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I want to bring your attention to a simple, proven solution that would dramatically improve public transit in our state: traffic signal priority (TSP) for all buses and transit vehicles. This is the same technology that fire trucks and ambulances use to change red lights to green, and it should be a standard feature for public transit as well. Right now, buses waste time sitting at red lights while single-occupancy vehicles move freely. That’s backwards. Public transit should be the fastest, most reliable way to get around, and TSP is an easy way to make that happen. Cities like Los Angeles, Portland, Chicago, and London have already implemented this with great success—reducing delays, improving reliability, and increasing ridership. A strong transit system benefits everyone, including drivers. When more people choose transit because it’s fast and reliable, there’s less congestion for those who still need to drive. It’s one of the best ways to combat induced demand, reduce emissions, and create a more efficient, livable city. What We Need to Do: 1. Implement Traffic Signal Priority on Major Transit Routes – Start where buses experience the most delays. 2. Ensure TSP is Standard on All New and Existing Public Transit Vehicles – It should be part of every transit agency’s toolkit. 3. Make This a Policy, Not Just a Pilot – Many cities run pilot programs and never expand them. We need full-scale implementation. There’s no reason transit vehicles should be stuck at the same lights as cars when they’re moving dozens of people at a time. TSP makes transit faster, more predictable, and more attractive—leading to more riders, more revenue, and a better city for everyone. I’d love to hear how you and your team are thinking about this and what steps we can take to move it forward. I know that the state has limited authority over local transit programs but please assist with the politics and with crafting legislation that empowers more cities to do this.