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Mill Valley leaders criticize regional transit changes, warn truncating bus 17 could cut crucial connections
Summary
Councilmembers raised objections to expanded HOV hours and proposed truncation of Marin Transit bus 17, saying that changes reduce one‑seat transit connections to Sausalito and the ferry and urging continued outreach to TAM, Golden Gate Transit and Caltrans.
Councilmember Urban Carmel used his liaison reports on Oct. 20 to press regional transit authorities to reconsider recent operational decisions that he said disadvantage Mill Valley. Carmel described expanded high‑occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane hours on Highway 101, told council a letter to Caltrans and the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) will seek reduced HOV hours, and warned that proposed service changes — specifically truncating Marin Transit bus 17 in Marin City — would remove a one‑seat connection that many Mill Valley riders use to reach the Sausalito ferry and Tamalpais High School.
Carmel and other councilmembers said Mill Valley lacks alternatives like a ferry or SMART train and depends on current bus routings; they argued truncating service would lengthen some commutes to more than an hour and a half, making transit noncompetitive with driving. Kusumada and staff reported outreach to TAM staff and pledged follow‑up coordination; council discussed potentially voting against regional transit funding allocations if Mill Valley’s concerns are not addressed.
Councilmembers asked staff and liaisons to engage TAM, Golden Gate Transit and related agencies, and to bring back information before any final reallocation of regional funds. No formal regional action was taken by the council at the meeting.
