The State Wants You to Drive Less…How

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There's no denying it. Riverside County continues to be a place where people want to live. Open space, growing economy, more housing opportunities, and unique communities are reasons why people stay here but they are also reasons why people move here. Riverside County has grown a staggering 67% since 2002, and another 500,000 people are projected to call the region home in the next 25 years. That means Riverside County will reach 3 million residents by 2050. This rapid growth spells traffic trouble for our residents, as if your commute wasn't challenging enough.

Major highway and roadway projects are in the works to help reduce traffic frustration, but state government agencies are making it more difficult to fund these projects - if not impossible. The State wants to use traffic gridlock to make you drive less.

Riverside County residents need more transportation solutions, not less. Ask yourself - do you have sufficient options to travel without a car? It would take decades and billions upon billions of dollars to have a reliable bus and train system within reach to get you where you need to go.

For the past 25 years, RCTC has been playing catch up to our rapid growth by building more local roads, interchanges, making highway improvements, and funding public transportation. Now, the State wants our communities to shift direction to build fewer roads and invest in more transit and passenger rail systems with insufficient State funds attached to meet these mandates; putting the burden on the backs of Riverside County residents.

Now is the time for Riverside County residents to speak up. The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) has unveiled its Draft 2024 Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure (CAPTI) Actions. Unfortunately, the draft actions fail to acknowledge the need for highway and roadway improvements - in addition to public transportation services - to reduce congestion across our region. Instead, their plan will make needed highway and roadway improvements cost-prohibitive, making traffic worse in Riverside County.

Do the majority of Riverside County residents live near a bus stop or rail station? How will CalSTA make sure we get to all the different places required as part of our daily lives? CalSTA is accepting public comments now through December 13. To make a difference, visit rctc.org/TakeAction to learn more and make your voice heard. Your local leaders are speaking up, but it's your voice that matters the most and you have the power to make an impact.