Kristin J. Bender
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Articles by Kristin J. Bender
Travelers can now get immediate refunds for canceled, delayed flights
A new federal rule aims to protect passenger refunds from airlines’ trying to avoid paying up. KRISTIN J. BENDER BAY AREA NEWS GROUP October 30, 2024, 10:21AM Updated 25 minutes ago 1 minute read Starting this week, airline passengers who have flights canceled or significantly changed will receive automatic cash or credit card refunds instead of travel credits.
Q&A: Plan to bail out Bay Area public transportation would tax voters
A roadmap to bail out cash-strapped Bay Area transit agencies and keep BART from falling off a fiscal cliff amid lackluster passenger counts and disappearing federal aid likely leads straight to taxpayer wallets. But just how much is a sticky issue that months of discussion has yet to resolve.
CA: Caltrans creates equity tool to learn from past infrastructure mistakes
Mistakes of the past allowed freeways to run through minority neighborhoods, amplified racial inequities and created transit gaps, particularly in neighborhoods of color. A new tool developed by the California Department of Transportation seeks to ensure such errors in transportation planning and decisions don’t happen again.
Caltrans creates equity tool to learn from past infrastructure mistakes
In the Bay Area, a few areas that have high traffic but little benefit from public transit include: East San Mateo, downtown San Jose, East San Jose, the Mission district in SF, neighborhoods in Concord and areas around Oakland's airport.
People With Disabilities Rally Outside Uber And Lyft Over Ride Denials
SAN FRANCISCO — Several hundred people with blindness and low vision and their allies protested outside the San Francisco headquarters of Uber and Lyft Tuesday accusing the ride-share companies of illegally denying rides to people who are blind and their service animals, and stigmatizing would-be passengers.
Final environmental impact report for Oakland airport expansion released
San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport on Thursday released the final environmental impact report for its long-planned airport expansion project, a document opponents say contains major flaws and demonstrates flagrant disregard for public health. The report outlines how changes in air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, noise, health hazards and traffic will be addressed if the airport gets approval to modernize and further develop the aging aviation hub in phases over the next six years.
People with blindness and their allies rally outside Uber and Lyft over ride denials
Several hundred people with blindness and low vision and their allies protested outside the San Francisco headquarters of Uber and Lyft Tuesday accusing the rideshare companies of illegally denying rides to blind people and their service animals, and stigmatizing would-be passengers.
California Governor Newsom signs gas refinery law, while climate policy changes could raise pump price
California Democrats want to slash gas prices, a state climate policy will raise them
California Governor Newsom signs gas refinery law, while climate policy changes could raise pump price
With Southern California’s 3 big wildfires just about out, an update on the havoc they’ve caused
California Governor Newsom signs gas refinery law, while climate policy changes could raise pump price
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Monday aimed at easing spikes in California’s already high gasoline prices, a key consumer protection that he’d sought from a special legislative session. Whether Newsom’s proposed reserve requirement for the state’s gas refineries, cheered by consumer advocates, will keep fuel prices in check remains to be seen — the fuel industry, labor unions, Republicans and governors of two neighboring states say that it could create shortages and higher prices.
Gov. Newsom signs bill he says will help avoid gas price spikes
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California Gov. Newsom signs bill he says will help avoid gas price spikes
KRISTIN J. BENDER BAY AREA NEWS GROUP October 14, 2024, 3:50PM Updated 22 minutes ago To read more about what Gov. Newsom has signed into law and what he vetoed, go here. Surrounded by legislative backers, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday signed a bill that he says will end gas price hikes and stop the oil industry from gouging people at the pump. Newsom signed the bill during a press conference less than an hour after the State Assembly in a special session Monday approved the measure with a 42-16 vote.
Gas bill that California Gov. Gavin Newsom says will stabilize gas prices heads for his desk
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Gas bill that Gov. Newsom says will stabilize gas prices heads for his desk
A bill backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom as part of a broader plan to end gas price hikes was given final approval by the California State Assembly in a special session Monday afternoon and now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature. The bill allows the state to require oil refiners to maintain a minimum inventory of fuel to avoid supply shortages that create higher gasoline prices for consumers, and higher profits for the industry, Newsom said.
Gov. Newsom signs bill he says will help avoid gas price spikes
Surrounded by legislative backers, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday signed a bill that he says will end gas price hikes and stop the oil industry from gouging people at the pump. Newsom signed the bill during a press conference less than an hour after the State Assembly in a special session Monday approved the measure with a 42-16 vote. “(The oil industry) has been screwing (consumers) for years and years,” Newsom said during the press conference.
Gas bill that California Gov. Gavin Newsom says will stabilize gas prices heads for his desk
A bill backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom as part of a broader plan to end gas price hikes was given final approval by the California State Assembly in a special session Monday afternoon and now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature. The bill allows the state to require oil refiners to maintain a minimum inventory of fuel to avoid supply shortages that create higher gasoline prices for consumers, and higher profits for the industry, Newsom said.
CA: Baseball helps boost Bay Area rider rebound on BART
Passenger numbers on Bay Area public transit are beginning to bounce back from pandemic-era lows, but some agencies are still struggling with a lack of riders and revenue, raising more concerns about long-term financial sustainability. The COVID-19 lockdowns starting in 2020 hit public transit hard as buses and trains ran nearly empty while many people worked from home and avoided social, entertainment and recreational events.
Baseball helps boost Bay Area rider rebound on BART
New methanol-fueled ship is christened with a new name at California port
Baseball helps boost Bay Area rider rebound on BART
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Baseball helps boost Bay Area rider rebound on BART
Public transportation ridership in the Bay Area is beginning to bounce back, but some transit agencies are still struggling with fare box returns and have a long way to go to meet pre-pandemic passenger levels.
Baseball helps boost Bay Area rider rebound on BART
Passenger numbers on Bay Area public transit are beginning to bounce back from pandemic-era lows, but some agencies are still struggling with a lack of riders and revenue, raising more concerns about long-term financial sustainability. The COVID-19 lockdowns starting in 2020 hit public transit hard as buses and trains ran nearly empty while many people worked from home and avoided social, entertainment and recreational events.
Waymo self-driving car interrupts Harris’ motorcade in San Francisco
By Kristin J. Bender Bay Area News Group SAN FRANCISCO — A Waymo self-driving car interrupted Vice President Kamala Harris’ motorcade on Friday night in San Francisco, with police on patrol stepping in and driving the vehicle away from the scene. Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, was in the city staying overnight at the Fairmont Hotel before a campaign fundraiser at the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts Saturday afternoon.
Former Navy base in Alameda draws transportation company startups
Oakland’s revised deal to sell the Coliseum has a new timeline — and raises more questions
California Assembly passes measure aimed at easing gas price spikes — critics say it will cause them
A bill pushed by Gov. Gavin Newsom as part of a bid to end spikes in gas prices overwhelmingly passed the California State Assembly in a special session Tuesday afternoon and now heads to the state Senate.
California Assembly passes measure aimed at easing gas price spikes — critics say it will cause them
California Assembly passes measure aimed at easing gas price spikes — critics say it will cause them
Cruise fined $1.5 million by federal safety regulators for failing to report robotaxi crash details Original
The autonomous vehicle company Cruise has been ordered to pay a $1.5 million fine for failing to properly report post-crash details involving a woman who last year was dragged 20 feet and badly injured in San Francisco by one of its self-driving cars. “It is vitally important for companies developing automated driving systems to prioritize safety and transparency from the start,” NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman said in a statement.
Waymo self-driving car interrupts Vice President Harris’ motorcade in San Francisco Original
A Waymo self-driving car interrupted Vice President Kamala Harris’ motorcade on Friday night in San Francisco, with police on patrol stepping in and driving the vehicle away from the scene. Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, was in the city staying overnight Friday at the Fairmont Hotel before a campaign fundraiser at the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts Saturday afternoon.
CA: New uniform signs and maps aim to streamline Bay Area public transit services
New uniform maps and signs for the Bay Area’s 27 transit agencies were unveiled this week and will be installed at three locations later this fall in a pilot effort to provide riders with a less confusing way to use the region’s public transportation systems.
Driving to final Oakland A’s game could be challenging Original
If you’re headed to the Oakland Coliseum Thursday morning to see the A’s play their final game in their hometown city, carpooling or public transportation are likely the way to go, officials said. The first pitch is at 12:37 p.m. against the Texas Rangers, but the parking gates open at 8 a.m., right in the middle of the morning commute, so traffic around the East Oakland sports complex is likelier to be heavier than normal.
New uniform signs and maps aim to streamline Bay Area public transit services
New uniform maps and signs for the Bay Area’s 27 transit agencies were unveiled this week and will be installed at three locations later this fall in a pilot effort to provide riders with a less confusing way to use the region’s public transportation systems.
Suspect arrested Sunday in VTA shooting that left one dead; victim and suspect allegedly knew each other
A Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) employee was arrested near his home in San Jose Sunday afternoon in the alleged killing of a VTA bus driver he knew, a spokesperson for the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday night. The suspect was identified as Duc Minh Bui, 33, said sheriff’s spokesperson Brooks Jarosz. Neither the victim’s name nor the nature of Bui’s relationship with the victim were released, although Jarosz said the pair knew each other.
Newsom’s gas price proposal debated at hearing
Newsom’s gas price proposal debated at hearing Governor wants refineries to keep backup supplies Lawmakers gathered in Sacramento last week in a bid to prevent gas prices from soaring in the Golden State. The first two hearings of the state Assembly’s special session to consider Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to prevent gas price spikes via a refinery supply mandate come amid criticism from oil companies that new rules would create artificial shortages of fuel in California.
Caltrans to close southbound I-680 between Alcosta Blvd. and I-580 connector this weekend
A major highway closure is coming to the East Bay this weekend. Southbound I-680 between Alcosta Boulevard in San Ramon and the I-580/I-680 connector in Pleasanton will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday to Monday morning for freeway repaving. “When the freeway reopens at 4 a.m. Monday, there will be a smooth ride for motorists,” said Caltrans spokesperson Janis Mara. Mara said workers will demolish the existing pavement, cover it with asphalt and rebar, and then pour concrete on top of it.
Newsom’s gas price proposal debated at special session legislative hearings
Lawmakers gathered in Sacramento this week in a bid to prevent gas prices from soaring in the Golden State. The first two hearings of the state Assembly’s special session to consider Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to prevent gas price spikes via a refinery supply mandate come amid criticism from oil companies that new rules would create artificial shortages of fuel in California.
BART turns 50, celebrates with announcement that Transbay Tube is earthquake strong
BART turned 50 years old on Monday and, to celebrate, transit agency officials announced that the earthquake retrofit of the Transbay Tube is complete. Officials say the BART system, which has ferried millions of passengers across the San Francisco Bay for five decades, is now stronger and more resilient than ever. “The best birthday gift we could ask for,’’ a spokesperson said in a statement. When the 3.6 mile-long tube between San Francisco and Oakland opened on Sept.
Oakland airport expansion plans draw criticism on emissions, air quality
In the next few months, the San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport plans to release a long-awaited final environmental impact report outlining how air quality, greenhouse gas emissions and other contentious issues will be addressed if the airport gets approval to modernize and further develop the aging aviation hub.
Bay Area guide dogs get some real-world training
Working guide dogs for the blind and puppies-in-training took in the sights, sounds and smells of the East Bay ferries and the San Francisco Ferry Building on Saturday during a social excursion meant to help them get accustomed to transit and real-world situations. The pups and people outing began Saturday morning at the Alameda Main Street Ferry Terminal with the first group of Guide Dogs for the Blind’s Foggy Doggie Alumni Chapter and the organization’s Berkeley Puppy Raisers.
CA: Ride Caltrain and SamTrans for free, Bay Area airports to get upgrades, new Martinez shuttle
Bus CA: Ride Caltrain and SamTrans for free, Bay Area airports to get upgrades, new Martinez shuttle Caltrain and SamTrans are offering free ride days this month. Source Bay Area News Group (TNS) Free train rides: Caltrain is offering free rides on Saturday, Sept. 21, and Sunday, Sept. 22, to mark its new schedule for electrified service, which will provide faster, cleaner, quieter and more frequent trains.
Ride Caltrain and SamTrans for free, Bay Area airports to get upgrades, new Martinez shuttle
Free train rides: Caltrain is offering free rides on Saturday, Sept. 21, and Sunday, Sept. 22, to mark its new schedule for electrified service, which will provide faster, cleaner, quieter and more frequent trains. To celebrate the milestone, the transit agency is holding two major launch parties, one at the Palo Alto station and one at the San Mateo station. Both parties will run from 2-6 p.m. both days. There will be food trucks, music, games, a photo booth and Caltrain merchandise giveaways.
SamTrans bus driver strike looms after two days of sick-outs
For a second day in a row, roughly 30% of SamTrans union bus drivers called in sick Friday in protest of the transit agency’s latest pay increase offer. SamTrans said more than 70 bus drivers participated in the sick-out, which was up from those who called in sick on Thursday. SamTrans and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1574 are locked in a contentious contract dispute that could lead to a strike, said union president Ernie Solero.
SamTrans bus drivers stage sick-out amid union contract woes
More than 60 SamTrans union bus drivers — about 30% — participated in a contract-related sick-out Thursday, prompting the transit agency to rearrange bus schedules to minimize service disruptions to its thousands of daily riders. A SamTrans spokesperson said the agency was preparing for another sick-out Friday based on the number of bus operators who had already called in sick by late Thursday.
BART looks to public for input on how to make station roads safer
BART wants your input on making the roads around its stations safer. Every day, thousands of people ride their bikes to BART stations and tens of thousands more walk on transit property to get to the trains. Most get there safely, but there have been vehicle crashes that injure pedestrians and bikers. So far this year, BART police have logged two incidents where a person was hit by a vehicle on a station road, a BART spokesperson said.
Caltrain seeks to increase ridership with new $1 youth fare
Anyone 18 years old or younger can now ride Caltrain for a $1 one-way fare. The transit agency launched the permanent fare deal over the weekend. A $2 all-day pass is also available for those 18 and under. That pass will be available on Caltrain Mobile, the agency’s current mobile app, and at Caltrain ticket vending machines. When the agency launches its new “Clipper Next Generation” mobile app next year, a monthly pass will be available to anyone with a Youth Clipper Card.
California to invest $500 million in zero-emission school buses Original
In the single largest education investment in state history, California will distribute $500 million to school districts to replace old polluting school buses with zero-emission buses and purchase needed infrastructure. As kids across the state head back to school, California plans to soon put an additional 1,000 new zero-emission school buses on the roads statewide, furthering the state’s lead in having the most clean buses in the nation,according to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office.
BART charges ahead with building more electric vehicle plugs following federal grant
BART currently has less than 50 electric vehicle charging plugs at just two stations, but that is going to change thanks to a $14 million infusion from the federal government. The money from the U.S Department of Transportation will be used to install an undetermined number of Level 2 EV charging ports at BART-managed parking lots for use by transit riders and community members. Level 2 charging stations can power up a fully electric vehicle in about four to 10 hours.
Labor Day travel up, roads expected to be most crowded on Friday
The last holiday weekend of the summer is expected to be a historically busy one with people traveling by car, boat and plane, and filling parks, beaches and entertainment hot spots. AAA says bookings for domestic travel are running 9% higher than last year for the holiday weekend, while international trips are down roughly 4%, possibly because the cost to travel internationally is up 11%.
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