Mallon: How can we make progress on transit during another Trump presidency?

As a transit advocate and writer, I’ve been getting asked how the incoming Trump administration will impact transit.

It’s natural for transit supporters to be concerned about the the future of public transit as President-elect Donald Trump returns to office. Unlike President Joe Biden, who commuted on Amtrak for decades and is often viewed as a transit champion, Trump has been a lot less vocal on transit issues. While this may present challenges, we can still make progress.

While transit isn’t a major priority for Trump like it was for Biden, he isn’t actively opposed to it. His previous administration approved funding for transit projects in both red and blue states, including the Caltrain electrification project, because leaders highlighted that the project would create jobs in Utah, a red state. Transit projects on the West Coast often employ workers in red states and swing states, which provides a significant inroad for broader support. By highlighting that transit isn’t just about getting people from point A to point B — it’s also an engine for economic growth — we can build the case that public transit benefits everyone, regardless of political party.

But progress on transit doesn’t solely depend on federal action. In California, the story of public transit is a story of local leadership.

As I discussed in a previous column, our transit system in Santa Clara County came to be because local leaders had a vision and stepped up to make it happen. Every transit system and line we have today started with someone having an idea, speaking up, pushing a plan and, ultimately, taking action. Local funding measures, like sales taxes, have played a huge role in building and maintaining our transit service and systems, especially when federal funding has fallen short.

Advocating at the local level can make a huge difference, whether it’s pushing for a new project, increased service or improved facilities. As someone who’s been following transit issues for nearly a decade, I’ve seen firsthand how speaking up about an idea can lead to improvements that benefit residents.

While Trump’s presidency may bring new challenges for transit, it’s important to remember he won’t be president forever. By staying vocal and spreading a positive vision for what we want to see for transit and what it can do, we can continue to build momentum. We’ll be ready to pick up the pace when new leadership emerges.

As we navigate this new political moment, we need to recognize public transit benefits everyone, including people who never use it. It reduces traffic, creates jobs and benefits the environment. By highlighting these benefits, listening to each other and finding common ground, we can continue to make progress — even during difficult times.

San José Spotlight columnist Monica Mallon is a transit advocate and rider in Santa Clara County. Monica’s columns appear on the first Thursday of every other month. Contact Monica at [email protected] or follow @MonicaMallon on X.