A Brief History

The Coalition for Sustainable Transportation (COAST) promotes convenient transportation alternatives for everyone including the one-third of the population who, by choice or necessity, does not drive. We survey community members about their transportation needs and communicate with government officials and planners to ensure the needs are addressed in the transportation funding process. Our outreach is diverse. We represent farm workers in North County; children in our local schools and commuters desperate for alternatives to driving. COAST began in 1993 as a group of volunteers active in alternative transportation issues. Our group was interested in practical alternatives to the widening of Highway 101 being considered at that time. In the process, we helped redefine the project area as a “corridor” including all modes of transportation along and across 101 rather than within the narrow strip of mainline freeway. COAST was influential in developing the City of Santa Barbara’s updated Circulation Element that is recognized as a turning point in local transportation policies. We have been engaged in many transportation related projects including the South Coast Transit Plan, Highway 101 Design Guidelines, North County Unmet Transit Needs, Highway 101 Operational Improvements, 101 in Motion, Safe Routes to School (SR2S) and South Coast Commuter Rail (www.CoastalRailNow.org). COAST incorporated in 2001 as a 501c3 organization to continue a broad range of educational activities.

Read our Transportation Platform here.

COAST Officers and Board of Directors

COAST Retreat December 2010

Alex Pujo, President, (805) 962-3578
Mark Bradley, Vice President, (805) 564-3908
Greg Janee, Secretary
Eva Inbar, Treasurer, (805) 964-0472
Dennis Story, Director, (805) 968-4431
Lee Moldaver, Director, (805) 964-6477
Roger Horton, Director
Debbie Castanha, Director
Deborah Schwartz, Director

Advisory Board

Steve Maas Manager of Strategic Planning & Compliance, MTD
Matt Dobberteen Alternative Transportation Manager, County of Santa Barbara
Ed France Director, BiciCentro
Helene Schneider, Mayor, City of Santa Barbara
Grant House, Santa Barbara City Council Member
Brian Fahnestock, Business Executive; MTD and CEC Board member

Staff

Caitlin Carlson, Project Director of Santa Barbara Walks & Administrator
Kim Stanley-Zimmerman, Safe Routes to School Coordinator
Katherine Holland, ASERT Project Coordinator
Amy Aguilera, ASERT Community Organizer
Ana Rico, Eastside Walks Community Organizer
Lili Munoz, Assistant Eastside Walks Community Organizer

Our Current Major Sponsors

Foundations
McCune Foundation,  Fund for Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Foundation, Orfalea Family Foundation, Social Justice Fund for Ventura County

Corporate Partners