History & Successes

At Transform, we work with organizations, advocates, and community members to create lasting change. Collaboration increases our influence for improved transportation and housing policies and funding. Together, we can invest in climate and equity, promote innovative transportation, support transportation shifts, and address climate-related housing issues.

Transform’s impact on transit and housing in the Bay Area

Transform was founded in 1997 as Bay Area Transportation and Land Use Coalition (BATLUC). In the years since, we’ve reached many milestones, moving the Overton window steadily toward equity and climate resilience.

2023
Transform’s equity strategies incorporated into express lanes
Using concepts from TransForm’s Pricing Roads/Advancing Equity report, express lanes on Highway 101 in San Mateo fund public transit credits for low-income residents, and low-income drivers can get a 50% discount for toll lanes on 880.
2022
Pioneered a Mobility Hubs at Affordable Housing program
With sites in San Jose, Oakland, and Richmond, Transform’s Mobility Hubs pilot creates new clean transportation options for affordable housing residents and is a model for deep community engagement that builds power and resources.
2020
Transform helps create new coalition advancing grassroots voices in transit advocacy
Transform and equity groups, as part of Voice for Public Transportation, bring a powerful voice for more equitable funding as part of regional transportation.
2018
Transform helps win $80 measure in Silicon Valley
Transform co-led a grassroots effort to pass Measure W, which raises $80 million per year, with 60% to improve public transit, plus funding to create safer bike and pedestrian routes and other community needs
2016
Transform convinces BART to adopt a strong affordable housing policy
Transform’s advocacy led BART to adopt a policy requiring at least 20% of housing built on BART property to be affordable.
2016
Transform helps bring BRT to Oakland and San Jose.
After more than a decade of advocacy led by Transform, Oakland and San Jose installed their first bus rapid transit lines.
2015
Transform wins a parking minimum reduction
Transform cosponsored AB 744, a law making it easier to build affordable housing by lowering parking requirements
2014
Transform helps pass another landmark transportation funding measure
Measure BB in Alameda County was the largest transportation funding measure ever passed in Northern California and continues to provide significant funding for biking, walking, and public transit today.
2014
Transform co-founds the Sustainable Communities for All Coalition
Working with Housing CA, Transform co-founded a coalition that got California to invest 35% of cap-and-trade revenue into affordable housing and public transportation. That amounts to approximately one billion dollars each year.
2010
Transform helps push California to adopt ambitious targets for reducing climate emissions from transportation
ClimatePlan led a coalition that included NRDC, PolicyLink, and Transform to successfully advocate for California to set an official policy of reducing transportation emissions.
2006
Transform initiates Safe Routes to School in Alameda County
Transform’s pilot in two low-income schools in Oakland has since expanded to serve almost 300 schools and still growing.
2007
Transform co-founds ClimatePlan
ClimatePlan is a statewide coalition of over 50 groups that helps ensure California’s climate strategy includes sustainable transportation and land use and supports regional coalitions across the state.
2006
Transform co-founds the award-winning Great Communities Collaborative
The Great Communities Collaborative was a model of deep community engagement that was recognized by the White House and the American Planning Association for its powerful approach.
2004
Transform helps develop and pass a measure to fund Safe Routes to Transit
Measure 2, a bridge toll increase, provided funding for the first Safe Routes to Transit program in the US.
2000
Transform leads a coalition that shapes and helps pass landmark transportation funding measure
Measure B, an Alameda County transportation sales tax measure, dedicated 80% of its funding to public transportation, walking, and biking, a landmark in active transportation funding.
1998
BATLUC (aka Transform) inspires MTC to create the first “Smart Growth Blueprint” for the Bay Area
Transform was part of a coalition that pushed the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to draft a plan prioritizing social equity and environmental stability.