SamTrans Board seeking public member applicants

The San Mateo County Transit District Board of Directors is seeking applicants to fill two public-member seats on its board that will expire on Dec. 31, 2012.

The board sets policy for the Transit District, which is responsible for the county-wide SamTrans bus service and paratransit service for people who are not able to ride regular fixed route service. The Transit District also operates a network of shuttles that connect rail lines to major employment sites and is involved in the Grand Boulevard Initiative as well as transit-oriented development. The District also is the managing agency for Caltrain and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority.

The public members, who must be residents of San Mateo County and not have held public office for one year, will be appointed by six members of the SamTrans board – the three members appointed by the Board of Supervisors and the three members appointed by the City Selection Committee. Each appointment will have a four-year term, expiring at the end of 2016.

The board consists of nine members: three members who are appointed by the City Selection Committee, who are council members representing the northern, central and southern portions of the county; and three public members, one of whom is a coastside resident. Regular meetings are scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m.

The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, Nov. 9. The application is available at www.samtrans.com/board or by calling 650-508-6242.