CONTACT: Stephen Chun, SFCTA; 415-522-4816 office; 415-356-4509 mobile, stephen.chun@sfcta.org
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Treasure Island Mobility Management Agency, or TIMMA, a $20 million grant for a collection of Treasure Island transportation improvements called Treasure Island Connects. The Treasure Island Connects program will improve environmental conditions and help close equity gaps for Treasure Island residents, employees, and visitors by expanding clean public transportation resources serving the area. Treasure Island is a designated ‘equity priority community’ and the goal of the Treasure Island Connects program is to reduce this growing community’s exposure to harmful pollutants while promoting healthy mobility options and equitable access to education, employment, and health facilities. Treasure Island Connects comprises six complementary projects:
- A microtransit service pilot connecting Treasure Island residents to key destinations on mainland San Francisco.
- A free on-demand shuttle providing connectivity for the Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island community including residents, workers, and visitors.
- Enhancements to the existing Muni 25 Treasure Island bus service, including the addition of a Battery Electric Bus to Muni’s fleet.
- Electric ferry charging infrastructure to support SF Bay Ferry and TIMMA’s planned zero-emission ferry service between Treasure Island and the San Francisco Ferry Building.
- Expansion of the BayWheels bikeshare system to Treasure Island.
- A Transportation Resource Center to provide high quality jobs, facilitate access to workforce training, and promote information on affordable transit options for Island residents.
The Treasure Island Connects projects arose from a community-based planning process led by the San Francisco County Transportation Authority using voter-approved transportation sales tax funds administered by the Transportation Authority, in partnership with One Treasure Island (One TI), a local nonprofit community-based organization. The EPA Community Change Grants Program is designed to help equity priority communities tackle environmental and climate justice challenges through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity. Made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the Community Change Grants Program is the single largest investment in environmental and climate justice in history.
“On day one of his Administration, President Biden promised to target investments to communities that for too long have been shut out of federal funding,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, EPA is delivering on that promise. These selections will create jobs, improve public health, and uplift community efforts in all corners of this country, regardless of geography or background.”
“Thanks to the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, our nation’s infrastructure is stronger than ever – and San Francisco continues to make progress in our mission to be a transit-smart city,” Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said. “The federal EPA grants announced for San Francisco will improve the quality of life for working families living on Treasure Island by increasing access to public transit and reducing pollution in our community. This project will create a cleaner, greener city where reliable public transportation promotes equity and opportunity for all San Franciscans.”
“The work San Francisco is poised to do with this grant will have a tremendous impact on current and future Treasure Island residents,” said Treasure Island Mobility Management Agency Chair Matt Dorsey. "Thank you to EPA Administrator Michael Regan and to Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi for these much-needed resources and for their leadership in building sustainable and equitable communities here on Treasure Island and beyond."
“We are thrilled to receive this incredible grant and thank the U.S. EPA for their investment in the Treasure Island community,” said Transportation Authority Board Chair Rafael Mandelman. “With the help of One Treasure Island and our partners at the Treasure Island Development Authority, SF Bay Ferry, and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority, we look forward to modeling our partnership to deliver innovative green transportation programs that were co-created with the local Treasure Island community.”
"This grant award is a game changer for Treasure Island. One Treasure Island is excited to support the expansion of affordable transportation options for Treasure Island residents and workers," said One Treasure Island Executive Director Nella Goncalves. One Treasure Island supports Island communities by focusing on affordable housing, financial literacy, and job training programs. As TIMMA’s primary partner on the Community Change Grant, One TI will operate the Transportation Resource Center and help lead the community engagement work.
Other grant partners include the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, which is responsible for providing transit service throughout San Francisco and will implement enhanced Muni 25-bus service to Treasure Island and procure an electric bus; and the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (SF Bay Ferry) which will install electric charging infrastructure at the Treasure Island ferry terminal.
The program will launch in early 2025 and is anticipated to be implemented over a three year period.
About the Treasure Island Mobility Management Agency (timma.org)
The Treasure Island Mobility Management Agency leads delivery of the Treasure Island Transportation Implementation Plan, the comprehensive mobility strategy that supports the Island’s overall development program, as overseen by the Treasure Island Development Authority. TIMMA’s governing board is made up of the 11 members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, sitting as TIMMA Board members. Board Member Matt Dorsey is Chair of the Board. Tilly Chang is the Executive Director of TIMMA.
About the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (sfcta.org)
The San Francisco County Transportation Authority’s mission is to make travel safer, healthier, and easier for all. We plan, fund, and deliver local and regional projects to improve travel choices for residents, commuters, and visitors throughout the city. The Transportation Authority Board consists of the 11 members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, who act as Transportation Authority Board Members. Board Member Rafael Mandelman serves as Chair of the Transportation Authority and Tilly Chang is the Transportation Authority’s Executive Director.