2010 California Code
Public Utilities Code
Chapter 1. General Provisions And Definitions

28500.  This part is known and may be cited as the "San Francisco
Bay Area Rapid Transit District Act."



28501.  This part is in furtherance of the declared policy of the
State to stimulate the maximum use of the harbor in San Francisco Bay
in order to foster and develop international and other trade for the
benefit of the entire State.
   The geographical situation of San Francisco Bay, which makes it
one of the finest harbors in the world, at the same time prevents the
full utilization of the harbor by acting as a physical barrier to a
system of rapid and effective transportation between the various
portions of the metropolitan area surrounding the Bay.
   Only a specially created district can freely operate in the
eighty-four (84) individual units of county, city and county, and
city governments located in this area. Because of the unique problems
presented by the area it is necessary that this legislation be
applicable solely to such area to insure necessary rapid transit
service.
   Extensive studies and surveys have been made at considerable cost
in public funds to determine whether or not interurban mass rapid
transit would be a feasible instrument for reducing existing and
future interurban travel problems and for relieving existing and
future traffic congestion on freeways, streets and highways. These
surveys have produced convincing evidence that the prosperity of the
entire Bay area will depend upon the preservation and enhancement of
its urban centers and subcenters; and that sustaining these centers
and subcenters as concentrations of employment, commerce, and
culture, in turn will depend upon providing an adequate, modern,
interurban mass rapid transit system.
   The studies have also established that to provide a standard of
service which will meet the needs of the public, the interurban
system must be effectively separated from conflicting traffic either
by grade separation of intersecting streets, roads, and highways, or
by other equally effective means; and, to the extent practicable, its
service must be coordinated with that of other transit facilities in
the areas served.



28502.  The part shall be liberally construed to carry out the
objects and purposes and the declared policy of the State of
California as in this part set forth.



28502.1.  Unless the context otherwise requires, the provisions of
this chapter govern the construction of this part.



28503.  "District" as used in this part, means the San Francisco Bay
Area Rapid Transit District.



28504.  "San Francisco Bay area," as used in this part, means the
Counties of San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Contra Costa,
Alameda, Santa Clara and San Mateo.



28505.  "Rapid transit," as used in this part, means the
transportation of passengers and their incidental baggage by any
means.


28506.  For the purpose of establishing the bonded debt limit of the
district, "taxable property," as used in this part, shall not
include solvent credits.


28507.  "Board of supervisors," as used in this part, means the
board of supervisors of a county in the San Francisco Bay area.



28508.  "Board of directors," "board," or "directors," as used in
this part, means the board of directors of the district.



28509.  "Public agency," as used in this part, includes the State of
California, and any county, city and county, city, district, or
other political subdivision or public entity of, or organized under
the laws of, this State.