SamTrans Board Welcomes Peter Ratto as Transit Expert Representative

Peter Ratto has been appointed by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors to the San Mateo County Transit District Board of Directors. Ratto will be sworn in at the District’s March 11 board meeting

Ratto replaces Art Lloyd as the transit expert on the district’s board of directors. Lloyd held that position for 26 years, until he retired from the board in 2014.

Due to his appointment on the board, Ratto resigned from the SamTrans Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), a volunteer group that offers monthly input to the district on the needs of current and potential transit users. Ratto was appointed to the CAC in 2006, and acted as chair for the committee from 2011 until his resignation. Ratto graduated with a degree in transportation management from San Francisco State University and regularly rides SamTrans Route 295 and Route ECR. He is a manager of Waste & Recycling Systems at Recology Golden Gate.

“Over his eight years as a member of the CAC, Peter has demonstrated a thorough and keen understanding of the SamTrans system,” said Carole Groom, president of the county’s board of supervisors and member of the SamTrans Board of Directors. “He’s also a regular rider, so he understands the needs and concerns of our everyday customers. He has a unique grasp of the agency’s long-term planning policies and challenges as well as its day-to-day operations.”

“During his tenure on the CAC, Peter helped provide invaluable input on important district policies, such as the SamTrans Service Plan,” said Groom. “And as lifelong Peninsula resident, he has been using SamTrans since the service debuted back in 1976.”

The board of directors sets policy for the district, which is responsible for county-wide SamTrans’ bus and paratransit service. The district also operates a network of shuttles that connect rail lines to major employment sites, is involved in the Grand Boulevard Initiative, and engages in transit-oriented development plans.

The district board consists of nine members: three members who are appointed by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, two of whom are members of the board of supervisors and one who possesses expertise in the field of transportation; three members appointed by the Cities Selection Committee, who are council members representing the northern, central and southern portions of the county; and three public members, one of whom must be a coastside resident.

Board member terms are four years.