Hello everyone, First — thank you. Because of your voices, we now have nearly 7,000 verified signatures in support of reversing the expanded carpool hours. That’s a strong signal that this change affects many in our community, and that people are paying attention. What’s happening now: • The petition is officially addressed to CalTrans and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. • We’ve heard from countless commuters reporting major delays, especially in the 5–10 AM and 3–7 PM periods. • Some local media outlets have started referencing the issue. Challenges we’re focusing on: To make our campaign more effective, we need to strengthen our argument and make it harder for decision makers to ignore us. • We need solid data showing commute time increases and traffic impacts since the change. • We should propose realistic alternatives or compromises, not just a reversal. • We need to identify exactly which officials or committees to pressure and when. Our refined proposal: 1. Reinstate the previous carpool schedule (for example, 6:30–9 AM southbound and 4:30–7 PM northbound). 2. Require a public review before any future changes to carpool timing. 3. Implement a pilot period for any new schedule with clear performance metrics (traffic flow, congestion, travel time). 4. Ensure transparency and community input — CalTrans and MTC should engage directly with residents before making decisions. 5. Establish accountability — require public reporting on how changes affect traffic and commute times. How you can help: • Share the petition again — post on Facebook, Nextdoor, or local community groups. • Contact CalTrans, MTC, and your county supervisors — your personal stories matter. • If public comment windows open, submit feedback describing how this has impacted you. • Gather data — track your commute times before and after the change. • Encourage others to sign and share their experiences. Next steps: By November 1, we plan to finalize our strengthened version of this petition — including data, community testimonials, and proposed alternatives — and formally submit it to CalTrans and MTC. Thank you again for standing together to make our voices heard. These carpool hour changes have caused unnecessary congestion and stress for everyday drivers. With continued effort, we can push for a fair and balanced solution that reflects the needs of Marin and Sonoma County commuters. In solidarity, Katie Clayton — Commuter