iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

To address an implausible idea: taking from @cahsra.bsky.social high-speed rail for transit ops. is not just robbing Peter to pay Paul—it's expecting Peter's wallet to pay Paul's salary indefinitely, all while Peter is protected by supporters across the state: eastbaytimes.com/2026/10/01/m...

Opinion: Bay Area transit became a victim of its success. A new funding model could restore it.

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The Bay Area's largest transit providers are victims of their own success. With budgets at a precipice, riders should not be punished because the revenue models that once worked really well for those agencies no longer suffice: www.mercurynews.com/2026/10/01/m...

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Thrilled that my two alma mater Neighborhood Councils, the North Westwood NC and @losfeliznc.bsky.social, won @empowerla.bsky.social Awards, both for the 2nd year in a row! Dedicated examples of pushing @lacity.bsky.social in a progressive direction. @connorwebb.bsky.social @joshsteich.bsky.social

North Westwood
WEST LOS ANGELES
REGIONAL RECIPIENT
• Maintains long-term community impact while serving a rapidly
evolving area shaped by UCLA, students, tenants, businesses,
parents, and other residents.
• Created an Olympics-focused committee and is planning for
UCLA’s role as the Olympic and Paralympic Village.
• The council described the Olympics as an opportunity for
long-term community gains rather than only short-term event
needs.
• Works with UCLA and public agencies while cultivating
student participation and broader community involvement.
“We want to make sure that things are ready, and
happy to see the world come to LA and come to
North westwood…”
Patrick Babajanian • Resident Board Member & Olympics Ad Hoc Committee
Chair
Board of Neighborhood Commissioners - 2026

Examples of North Westwood Neighborhood Council work

Los Feliz
CENTRAL LOS ANGELES
REGIONAL RECIPIENT
• Created an ad hoc Community Defense Committee that
became a standing committee.
• Passed a resolution declaring Los Feliz a safe haven for
immigrants.
• Produced accessible, useful City-information videos; the
green-bin explanation video received strong social-media
engagement.
• Maintains 17 standing committees and begins meetings with
community agreements centered on kindness, professionalism,
and inclusion.
• The council reported 120 Community Impact Statements and
a broad range of community events and partnerships.
“Our goal, our job is to listen, to inform, and to
give our neighbors that meaningful voice...”
Devin Homsey • Secretary & District 8 Representative, Los Feliz NC
Board of Neighborhood Commissioners - 2026

North Westwood Neighborhood Council receiving the award

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Wonk SB 79 update: @california-hcd.bsky.social won't put it in writing, but they have (sensibly) clarified that all SB 79 calculations need to be made within the borders of a city, even if the transit stop area crosses jurisdictions: santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Det...

Regarding the use of City of LA numbers for the purposes of the exclusion ordinance, on September 17, 2026, HCD and City staff conducted a meeting where HCD informed staff that based on their review of the legislative history of the statute and considering the practical implementation challenges, HCD’s position is that jurisdictions may only consider the parcels and data within their own jurisdictional boundaries. For further context, other jurisdictions with cross-jurisdictional TOD zones (e.g. Culver City) also relied only on parcels and data within their own jurisdiction. What this means is that, for purposes of SB 79, Santa Monica cannot consider parcels located within or data from Los Angeles for the purposes of meeting qualifying thresholds, including those required for exclusion ordinances and/or TOD alternative plans.

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

...But per this book: www.google.com/books/editio..., the predecessor to SCAG formed before the MPOs fully took shape, with Imperial eager to join and San Diego hesitating.

Page 34a of "The Formation of SCAG: A Case History"

Page 35 of "The Formation of SCAG: A Case History"

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

AV lots can be bad neighbors, but the right response isn't to single them out, especially above gas stations, for extra regs. An AV saved a kid's life in SM—we must factor that in when weighing marginal costs/benefits of rules. (Yes, here I am defending parking lots!) www.smdp.com/santa-monica...

The lone public speaker, resident and planning commissioner Jacob Wasserman, objected to the extension. He argued it was unfair to single out autonomous vehicles when gas stations operate around the clock within 100 feet of homes, said a two-year term was too long, and contended the matter should go to the Planning Commission rather than be handled as an emergency.

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Want to learn more about homelessness in transportation @johnmacpdx.bsky.social of @trecpdx.bsky.social will be a panelist at @uclaits.bsky.social online mini-symposium 9/22, where we will discuss homelessness in transit, freeways, street parking, and airports. Register: its.ucla.edu/tribe-event/...

The Intersections of
Transportation and
Homelessness

A Mini-symposium from
UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies
Tuesday, September 22 on Zoom | 10:00 A.M. Pacific Time

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Construction has started on the Ohio Avenue cycle track and pedestrian improvements! @ladotofficial.bsky.social

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

www.santamonica.gov/media/Docume... www.santamonica.gov/sb79-transit...

City of
Santa
Monica

INVITES YOU TO ATTEND A COMMUNITY MEETING
Join us for an informational community meeting on implementation of Senate Bill 79 and proposed
amendments to the City’s Zoning Ordinance to increase development standards for 89 R1-zoned
parcels north of the I-10 Freeway and east of Dorchester Avenue
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2026 AT 6:30 PM
City Council Chamber, Second Floor, Santa Monica City Hall
1685 Main Street, Santa Monica

NEW Community Meeting—Tuesday, August 25, 2026
The City Planning Division staff will host a community meeting (link to flyer) to provide more information on proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. SB 79 allows the City to delay implementation in qualifying Transit Oriented Development (TOD) zones, which are one-half mile areas around specified transit stops in the City. Six of Santa Monica's seven TOD zones currently qualify for exclusion, but the zone around the Metro E Expo/Bundy station doesn't qualify for exclusion. Staff will present a plan for 89 parcels north of the I-10 Freeway and east of Dorchester that may qualify the entire Expo/Bundy TOD zone for exclusion. Please join us to ask questions and share your thoughts!
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2026 AT 6:30 PM
City Council Chamber, Second Floor, Santa Monica City Hall
1685 Main Street, Santa Monica

Virtual Attendance is also available for those who cannot attend in person. To join virtually, please click on the link below:

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

More crosswalk improvements from @lacity.bsky.social in Westwood Village and the North Village in response to the North Westwood Neighborhood Council's requests, in support of both the @la28games.bsky.social Olympic/Paralympic Village and the many car-less students there: @connorwebb.bsky.social

Sidewalk Repair Program Package No. 88 (LA28) Gantt chart

Sidewalk Repair Program Package No. 88 (LA28) locations

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Add your thoughts on Caltrans' 25-year transportation plan: app.smartsheet.com/b/form/09112... I commented on whether shifting fungible dollars from freeway expansion to other modes could help close the budget gap the plan identifies.

CALIFORNIA
TRANSPORTATION PLAN
2050 PATHWAYS

Caltrans
JULY 2026

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

After a coalition letter from @innercitylawcenter.bsky.social, @housingdefense.bsky.social, @streetsforall.org, and others, @scagnews.bsky.social made some but not all of the necessary changes to bring their SB 79 maps in line with state law and @california-hcd.bsky.social guidelines:

Coalition letter:

Re: Support Staff-recommended Methodology with Amendments (Item 1)

Page 1

Coalition letter:

Re: Support Staff-recommended Methodology with Amendments (Item 1)

Page 2

Coalition letter:

Re: Support Staff-recommended Methodology with Amendments (Item 1)

Page 3

Coalition letter:

Re: Support Staff-recommended Methodology with Amendments (Item 1)

Page 4

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Amazing work to everyone who spoke up about this! @streetsforall.org One note: I detest when people say local government is not political, as some mayors in this meeting did. Of course it's political! And a quick tell that one of the mayors saying this called it the "Democrat party":

"Three fingers" meme from Inglourious Basterds

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Transit agency finances stand at a perilous point across California and the U.S. Read our UC Institute of Transportation Studies policy brief on the fiscal cliff; changing funding strategies; and how land use, pricing, and governance all relate: its.ucla.edu/project/tran...

A stacked area chart of inflation-adjusted California transit funding, Fiscal Years 2015-2024, broken down between local subsidy, state subsidy, federal subsidy, and fares and other revenue

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Proud of all the work the North Westwood Neighborhood Council has done. The Council was recognized with an @empowerla.bsky.social award!

NEIGHBORHOOD
COUNCILS
EMPOWERLA.ORG

North Westwood
Neighborhood Council

2025 EmpowerLA Awards
West Los Angeles Region Winner

In Recognition of Outstanding Service and
Commitment to Empowering
the Community

Thank you for your dedication!

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

@california-hcd.bsky.social's letter to @scagnews.bsky.social, clearly stating that their mapping methods were wrong: scag.ca.gov/sites/defaul...

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - BUSINESS, CONSUMER SERVICES AND HOUSING AGENCY GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DIVISION OF HOUSING POLICY DEVELOPMENT
651 Bannon Street Suite 400,
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 263-2911 / FAX (916) 263-7453
www.hcd.ca.gov
June 25, 2026
Kome Ajise, Executive Director
Southern California Association of Governments
900 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1700
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Dear Kome Ajise:
RE: SB 79 Advisory Clarification on Definitions of Transit-Oriented Development
Stop and Locally Preferred Alternatives

Should a planned transit stop in an adopted LPA be included in the MPO’s
SB 79 map?
Yes, an MPO’s SB 79 map should include TOD stops associated with planned transit
projects for which an LPA has been adopted, regardless of whether the project has
completed full environmental clearance. Accordingly, MPOs should not exclude
otherwise qualifying planned TOD stops solely because environmental review has not
been completed, provided that an LPA has been adopted and the stop otherwise
satisfies the applicable SB 79 criteria.
Conclusion
HCD recognizes that this clarification may require SCAG to adjust its mapping approach
for planned transit projects. If you have questions or need additional information, please
contact Grace Wu at grace.wu@hcd.ca.gov. HCD looks forward to continued
collaboration with SCAG.
Sincerely,
Melinda Coy
Housing Accountability Unit Chief

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

And local news: most of the downtown bus lane stops in @cityofsantamonica.bsky.social have been properly counted!

Attachment 2: SCAG Region SB 79 map corrections
# Location Correction
1 City of Los Angeles
Add bus stop at Sepulveda Bl/Saticoy St (Stop ID 6160
and 14541)
2 City of Santa Monica
Add bus stop at Santa Monica Blvd / 4th Street (Stop ID
227 & 14360)
3 City of Santa Monica
Remove Lincoln Blvd/Pico Blvd (Lincoln is peak hour
only)
4 City of Santa Monica Add Santa Monica Blvd / 3rd Street - (Stop ID 3104)
5 City of Santa Monica Add Broadway / Ocean Avenue (Stop ID 14361)

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

The smallest of the many problems with 41.18, but the bottom of new enforcement signs give an incorrect Council File #, meaning they don't actually point to where to view the @lacity.bsky.social resolution enacting the zone. @unrigla.bsky.social @resedaforall.bsky.social @marvistavoice.bsky.social

SPECIAL
ENFORCEMENT ZONE

BEGINNING ON AND AFTER
TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2025
NO PERSON SHALL SIT, LIE, SLEEP OR
ALLOW ITEMS TO REMAIN IN THE PUBLIC
RIGHT-OF-WAY WITHIN 500 FEET OF
1400 WESTWOOD BLVD

ITEMS PLACED IN THE ENFORCEMENT ZONE WILL
BE REMOVED BY THE CITY AND STORED FOR 90 DAYS
BEFORE BEING DISCARDED. OWNERS MAY RETRIEVE
ITEMS COLLECTED BY THE CITY BY CALLING 311
MONDAY - SATURDAY 8:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M.

Signage posted on July 8, 2025
Resolution available using search term “21-4118” at https://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

The first Safe Sidewalks LA improvements the North Westwood Neighborhood Council asked for, on a particularly atrocious section of sidewalk on Gayley, are constructed! @connorwebb.bsky.social

BEFORE
AFTER

SIDEWALK REPAIRS
ON GAYLEY AVENUE

RECENT PEDESTRIAN
SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS
IN NORTH WESTWOOD

THANK YOU TO OUR BOARD
MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY
FOR ADVOCATING FOR
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY!

WE LOOK FORWARD TO
CONTINUED SIDEWALK AND
STREET IMPROVEMENTS IN
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Exciting: newly painted crosswalk and newly added stop line at the mid-block crossing connecting both halves of Westwood Park across Sepulveda Boulevard, on a major bike and ped route. Now to get the curb ramps added! @connorwebb.bsky.social @ladotofficial.bsky.social

001

Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

A few further crosswalk improvements in the North Village following the North Westwood Neighborhood Council's request, in support both the @la28games.bsky.social Olympic and Paralympic Village and the many car-less students and other pedestrians there:

Project Summary Report
BSS—Package 63 (SP160)

Sidewalk Repair Program—Package No. 63: Library Facilities

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

The @ucla.edu Campus Bike Advisory Committee opposes a plan to require registration and a single UL certification for e-bikes/e-scooters. It gets state law wrong, ignores other safe certs, and immediately imposes costs on those who own disallowed but safe bikes: drive.google.com/file/d/1OCfk...

UCLA Campus Bike Advisory Committee letter on Proposed UCLA Policy 813, page 1

UCLA Campus Bike Advisory Committee letter on Proposed UCLA Policy 813, page 2

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Timing: The draft map itself isn't available, as far as I can see. If @scagnews.bsky.social's methodology is going to be approved July 2, and then the map follows thereafter, they are blowing past the July 1 start date for SB 79. Really annoying for local planning staff, I bet.

The methodology and approach will be discussed and considered by the Community, Economic, and Human Development (CEHD) Policy Committee at their June 4 meeting and go before the Regional Council at their regular meeting on July 2.

(n) This section shall not apply to a local agency until July 1, 2026,

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Station locations: @mtcbata.bsky.social managed to map separate pedestrian entrances for every eligible station: experience.arcgis.com/experience/9.... For large rail stations, @scagnews.bsky.social's choice to only use GTFS points is not enough.

PEDESTRIAN ACCESS POINT section of SCAG's SB 79 Mapping Approach and Methodology memo

110

Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Planned transit: @scagnews.bsky.social wants to wait until CEQA completion, not locally preferred alt. On this alone,* @metrolosangeles.bsky.social Sepulveda line would be excluded, despite being on @lacity.bsky.social's map: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4807... * Not sure its inclusion in the TIP

PLANNED TRANSIT PROJECTS section of SCAG's SB 79 Mapping Approach and Methodology memo

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

And now the North Village sidewalk improvements NWWNC called for are part of the @lacity.bsky.social @la28games.bsky.social Games Capital Infrastructure Program: apps.engineering.lacity.gov/uprs/report/... Reported by @awalkerinla.bsky.social: www.torched.la/today-feels-... @connorwebb.bsky.social

Capital Infrastructure Program (CIP)
Project Information Report
Athletes' Village Venue Approach Project

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

@lacity.bsky.social proposes just not funding 2027 @empowerla.bsky.social Neighborhood Council elections: drive.google.com/file/d/1Rhzd... Ukraine has postponed elections due to their war. I guess the City feels the same applies here?

Neighborhood Council Elections The City Clerk’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget request includes no funds for Neighborhood Council elections. This would save $915,000, which the City Clerk proposes to reallocate to other uses. The request would postpone the 2027 Neighborhood Council elections until 2029. The City Clerk is prioritizing resource realignment and strategic investments necessary to maintain mandated services, ensure administrative support for elected offices, and uphold the mission of providing equitable access to City government. Equitable access to City government must include Neighborhood Council elections each two years given the Neighborhood Councils are the most local elected boards in the City Charter. While saving $915,000 will help balance the budget, canceling Neighborhood Council elections seems short-sighted. The Neighborhood Councils need to work with the City Clerk and DONE to f ind a way to move forward with the 2027 Neighborhood Council elections even if the City Clerk does not participate.

020

Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

This one's for Professor Don Shoup. He worked for years on sidewalks and accessibility and tracked how higher-resourced, single-family parts of Westwood with less pedestrian traffic long got almost all of the investment in the area. No longer!

Professor Shoup's slide showing sidewalk repairs from 7/1/2017-7/1/2024

Map of sidewalk improvements planned in Package 86

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Coming to the North Village: after years of inaction—and thanks to the hard work of the North Westwood Neighborhood Council—the City is making sidewalk and curb ramp improvements, supporting both the @la28games.bsky.social Olympic/Paralympic Village and car-less students and other pedestrians there.

Gantt chart of Sidewalk Repair Program Package No. 86 (LA 28)

Table of sidewalk locations for improvements in Package 86

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

One year ago, Councilmember Yaroslavsky promised in writing that the callous and counterproductive anti-homeless zones in North Westwood would end after a year: cityclerk.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2... Now, her office is going back on their word and keeping them in place.

To ensure these locations remain accessible, functional, and safe for their intended use,
a designating resolution is required for this location to be effective for a period of one
year.
Sincerely,
KATY YAROSLAVSKY
Councilwoman, Fifth District

Thanks for your follow-up.

Our office will not repeal the 41.18 locations designated in the referenced motion.

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Tactical textbox placement to cover tunneling alignment

Marked-up image from Mayor Bass' post with a textbox covering tunneling alignments

180

Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

But where service has been cut, this has unintentionally—or in a few cases intentionally—scaled back the area eligible for upzoning. (For example: Atherton's City Council made explicit comments to support closure of their @caltrain.com station to avoid then-proposed state upzoning bills) (9/12)

A map of maximal and minimal losses in half-mile buffers, 2014-2025, around Atherton Station

140

Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

A maximal approach to defining "major transit stop" more than triples the eligible area compared to a minimal approach! (For example: compare areas covered under a "minimal" and "maximal" interpretation in Orange County) (6/12)

A map of maximal half-mile buffers in Orange County

A map of minimal half-mile buffers in Orange County

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

- Calculating 20-minute headways - Defining peak periods (For example: compare how different regions of the state define "peak" periods, as compiled by @california-hcd.bsky.social : www.hcd.ca.gov/sites/defaul... ) - Handling intersections and overlapping bus routes (5/12)

A table titled "Sampling of MPO Peak Morning and Afternoon Peak Commute Periods (2024)" for the MPO regions of the Monterey Bay Area, Butte County, Fresno County, Kern County, San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento Area, San Diego County, Santa Barbara County, Greater Los Angeles, Tahoe Basin, and Tulare County

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

- Whether a "stop" is a single point or an entire station parcel(s) (For example: compare a half-mile radius under a "minimal" and "maximal" interpretation at Irvine @metrolinksocal.bsky.social / @amtrak.com / OCTA Station) (4/12)

A map of minimal and maximal half-mile buffers around Irvine Station and its station parcels

150

Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Huge news! After the North Westwood and West Los Angeles Sawtelle Neighborhood Councils called for a CicLAvia to come to these neighborhoods for the first time (cityclerk.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2...), Westwood and Sawtelle are getting one this April!: www.ciclavia.org/ciclavia_wes...

CICLAVIA
WEST LA

Sunday, April 26, 2026
domingo 26 de abril 2026
9:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.

0254

Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

The @ucla.edu Campus Bike Advisory Committee is asking Caltrans to close a critical gap in the bike network where the Ohio Avenue bike route crosses Santa Monica Boulevard and to do so in coordination with their other planned work there. @streetsforall.org

UCLA Campus Bicycle Advisory Committee
February 18, 2026
Gloria Roberts, Director
Caltrans District 7
100 S. Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
RE: Support for Immediate Implementation of EA 38750 ("Ohio to Ohio" Bike Link) in Coordination with EA 33360 (Santa Monica Blvd Multimodal Project)
Dear Director Roberts,
I am writing on behalf of the UCLA Campus Bicycle Advisory Committee (CBAC), a body of students, faculty, staff, and administrators convened to advance the university’s goals for active transportation, sustainability, and campus connectivity.
We strongly urge Caltrans to integrate the "Ohio to Ohio" protected bike lane project (EA 38750) with the upcoming Santa Monica Boulevard pavement rehabilitation (EA 33360). Delaying this critical gap closure until a future funding cycle—potentially decades away—is a missed opportunity that places thousands of members of the UCLA community at continued risk.
Critical Connectivity for Health and Housing
The proposed "Ohio to Ohio" link is not merely a local improvement; it is a vital artery for the UCLA Health system and our residential community. As identified in the UCLA Health Bicycle Corridor Plan, this segment is essential for connecting key medical facilities, including the Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital, the Rape Treatment Center, the Veterans Administration Medical Center and dozens of UCLA Health clinics throughout the corridor.
Furthermore, this project would directly serve five major residential buildings along Santa Monica Boulevard that house UCLA students and medical residents. Currently, these residents are stranded on an "island" with no safe, continuous north-south or east-west bikeways to reach campus or essential services.

By failing to include the "Ohio to Ohio" project now, Caltrans would force students, staff, and patients to navigate a high-speed arterial without protection, directly contradicting California’s "Complete Streets" mandate. We echo the concerns of Assemblymember Zbur and Senator Allen: pavement rehabilitation is not a neutral act. It is an obligation to improve safety. To repave Santa Monica Boulevard without this bike link effectively locks in dangerous conditions for another generation. As Assemblymember Zbur notes, advancing a repaving project without a compliant bicycle accommodation represents a serious safety risk to the public. Sharrows are no longer permissible on roadways of this speed (SB 1216), and if Caltrans continues with its planned timeline as described to his staff, the “Ohio to Ohio” bicycle project could realistically be delayed until 2040, if not later.
Community and Educational Access
The benefits of this connection extend beyond the university. The Ohio Avenue corridor connects to University High School, a key partner in UCLA’s TIE-INS (Together in Education in Neighborhood Schools) program. A protected lane here would provide a safe route to school for local youth and strengthen the connection between the university and our neighborhood public schools.
Fiscal Responsibility
Finally, we urge you to consider the fiscal prudence of a "dig once" approach. Mobilizing construction crews twice for the same stretch of road is an inefficient use of public funds. Integrating these projects now ensures that the design, traffic control, and construction costs are incurred only once, maximizing the public benefit.
The UCLA Campus Bicycle Advisory Committee stands with the City of Santa Monica, the City of Los Angeles, and our state representatives in calling for the immediate delivery of the Ohio to Ohio project. We ask that Caltrans prioritize the safety of our students, healthcare workers, and patients by building this gap closure now.

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Very interesting study shared by @jessica-meaney.bsky.social at her @uclaits.bsky.social talk today: bird species today vary by HOLC redlining zones a century, as @travislongcore.bsky.social @uclaioes.bsky.social and co-authors find: doi.org/10.1093/orni...

Redlining continues to be related to avifaunal community patterns, their habitat, and the people who experience them.

1123

Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

@cityofsantamonica.bsky.social Big Blue Bus becomes the 1st agency in the state to add yield signs to buses, saving time at every stop. Thanks @caltransit.bsky.social for sponsoring the state bill authorizing and @electdanhall.bsky.social and @nzernitskaya.bsky.social for moving this locally for me!

053

Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

This is a surprisingly poor showing, at least compared to the earlier outreach phases. Getty Center and monorail folks did some turnout. (With the ever-present caveat that non-randomly-sampled public comment emphatically ≠ public sentiment)

Table 3: Comment Submissions Expressing Support by Alternative and Rail Mode

Alternative,Number,Percent
Alternative 1,"96 / 8,074",1.2%
Alternative 3,"2,230 / 8,074",27.6%
Alternative 4,"2,273 / 8,074",28.2%
Alternative 5,"1,149 / 8,074",14.2%
Alternative 6,"267 / 8,074",3.3%
Getty Center Station*,"1,129 / 8,074",14.0%
Monorail,"108 / 8,074",1.3%
Heavy Rail,"729 / 8,074",9.0%
Overall Project,"816 / 8,074",10.1%

*Comment submissions that indicated support for transit to the Getty Center, but did not specify an alternative or mode.

The total number of comments expressing support (7,308) is less than the sum of comments expressing support for each alternative and mode because some comments expressed support for more than one alternative or mode.

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

Glad I could help @bostonglobe.com on this piece, which dove into the National Transit Database for some interesting comparisons: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/26/m... and drive.google.com/file/d/1H_VI...

Mean distance between major failures in miles

San Francisco (BART): 422,694
DC, MD, VA (WMATA): 237,651
New York City (MTA): 196,815
NY/NJ (PATH): 169,282
Los Angeles (LACMTA): 105,832
Chicago (CTA): 104,776
Miami (MDT): 71,010
Boston (MBTA): 70,005
Philadelphia (SEPTA): 52,230
Atlanta (MARTA): 24,086

The Federal Transit Administration defines a major mechanical failure as one that prevents a vehicle from completing or starting a trip because of hampered movement or safety concerns. The Globe selected the 10 American heavy rail services with the highest ridership levels for comparison purposes.

Chart: KIRKLAND AN/GLOBE STAFF
Source: National Transit Database

Average revenue speed in miles per hour

San Francisco (BART): 30.9
Atlanta (MARTA): 26.9
DC, MD, VA (WMATA): 24.1
Miami (MDT): 21.9
Los Angeles (LACMTA): 18.2
Chicago (CTA): 17.0
New York City (MTA): 16.1
Boston (MBTA): 15.8
Philadelphia (SEPTA): 13.3
NY/NJ (PATH): 12.3

Notes: Revenue speed refers to the speed the vehicles travel while they are in service. The Globe selected the 10 American heavy rail services with the highest ridership levels for comparison purposes.

Credits:
Chart: KIRKLAND AN/GLOBE STAFF
Source: National Transit Database

Fares

NY/NJ (PATH): $3.00
Philadelphia (SEPTA): $2.90
New York City (MTA): $2.90
Chicago (CTA): $2.50
Atlanta (MARTA): $2.50
Boston (MBTA): $2.40
Miami (MDT): $2.25
Los Angeles (LACMTA): $1.75
DC, MD, VA (WMATA): distance-based
San Francisco (BART): distance-based

The Globe selected the 10 American heavy rail services with the highest ridership levels for comparison purposes.

Chart: KIRKLAND AN/GLOBE STAFF
Source: Agency websites

Transit system size
Fixed Guideway Directional Route Miles and Station/Stop Count

New York City (MTA)—Fixed Guideway Directional Route Miles: 494; Station/Stop Count: 472

DC, MD, VA (WMATA)—Fixed Guideway Directional Route Miles: 256; Station/Stop Count: 98

San Francisco (BART)—Fixed Guideway Directional Route Miles: 234; Station/Stop Count: 50

Chicago (CTA)—Fixed Guideway Directional Route Miles: 205; Station/Stop Count: 146

Atlanta (MARTA)—Fixed Guideway Directional Route Miles: 96; Station/Stop Count: 38

Boston (MBTA)—Fixed Guideway Directional Route Miles: 76; Station/Stop Count: 54

Philadelphia (SEPTA)—Fixed Guideway Directional Route Miles: 75; Station/Stop Count: 74

Miami (MDT)—Fixed Guideway Directional Route Miles: 50; Station/Stop Count: 23

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

NIMBYs near UCLA worked to end transit service to Hilgard Terminal, a bus stop that existed long before many of their houses. Photo: 1949, @uclalibrary.bsky.social

Hilgard Terminal with old-style buses and an then-undeveloped section of Westwood and campus

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Next July, LA City Council @lacity.bsky.social will be required to take remote public comment, under SB 707:

(b) (1) In addition to any other applicable requirements of this chapter, a meeting held by a eligible legislative body pursuant to this chapter shall comply with both of the following requirements:
(A) (i) (I) (ia) All open and public meetings shall include an opportunity for members of the public to attend via a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual platform, except if adequate telephonic or internet service is not operational at the meeting location. If adequate telephonic or internet service is operational at the meeting location during only a portion of the meeting, the legislative body shall include an opportunity for members of the public to attend via a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual platform during that portion of the meeting.

(ii) If an eligible legislative body elects to provide a two-way audiovisual platform, the eligible legislative body shall publicly post and provide a call-in option, and activate any automatic captioning function during the meeting if an automatic captioning function is included with the two-way audiovisual platform. If an eligible legislative body does not elect to provide a two-way audiovisual platform, the eligible legislative body shall provide a two-way telephonic service for the public to participate in the meeting, pursuant to subclause (I).
(B) (i) All open and public meetings for which attendance via a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual platform is provided in accordance with paragraph (1) shall provide the public with an opportunity to provide public comment in accordance with Section 54954.3 via the two-way telephonic or two-way audiovisual platform, and ensure the opportunity for the members of the public participating via a two-way telephonic or two-way audiovisual platform to provide public comment with the same time allotment as a person attending a meeting in person.

(2) “Eligible legislative body” means any of the following:
(A) A city council of a city with a population of 30,000 or more.
(B) A county board of supervisors of a county, or city and county, with a population of 30,000 or more.
(C) A city council of a city located in a county with a population of 600,000 or more.
(D) The board of directors of a special district that has an internet website and meets any of the following conditions:
(i) The boundaries of the special district include the entirety of a county with a population of 600,000 or more, and the special district has over 200 full-time equivalent employees.
(ii) The special district has over 1,000 full-time equivalent employees.
(iii) The special district has annual revenues, based on the most recent Financial Transaction Report data published by the California State Controller, that exceed four hundred million dollars ($400,000,000), adjusted annually for inflation commencing January 1, 2027, as measured by the percentage change in the California Consumer Price Index from January 1 of the prior year to January 1 of the current year, and the special district employs over 200 full-time equivalent employees.
(3) “Two-way audiovisual platform” means an online platform that provides participants with the ability to participate in a meeting via both an interactive video conference and a two-way telephonic service.
(4) “Two-way telephonic service” means a telephone service that does not require internet access and allows participants to dial a telephone number to listen and verbally participate.
(f) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2026.

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Jacob Wasserman @jacoblwasserman.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

I can only assume the City will be vigorously enforcing its anti-camping ban in the area?

Daily Bruin headline: National guard troops station in Westwood after Trump administration deployment

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