Mahmoud Abunie
Under the theme “Moving the Bay Area with Pride,” transit agencies within the nine-county Bay Area are joining together this Pride Month to celebrate the people, communities and connections that make our home stronger.
Spearheaded by the San Mateo County Transit District’s (District) Rainbow Employee Resource Group, the campaign represents an unprecedented collaboration among Bay Area transit agencies to celebrate Pride with a unified regional presence.
The initiative features a unified artwork campaign designed by District Senior Graphic Designer Cheri West, appearing on T-shirts, stickers, social media, community outreach materials and even a SamTrans bus. The effort highlights a collective commitment to equity while reflecting the vital role transit plays in connecting diverse communities.
Pride 2026
“This Pride Month, Bay Area transit and transportation agencies are marching together in SF Pride — a powerful reflection of what we do every day,” said San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) Project Manager Vamsi Tabjulu. “Our work is about connecting communities and making sure everyone, no matter who they are or where they're going, has a place on board. Walking side by side this year celebrates that shared commitment to inclusion and the diverse riders we're proud to serve.”
The campaign reflects the interconnected nature of the Bay Area, where transit agencies collaborate to help riders reach destinations across the nine-county region, regardless of where their trips begin or end.
“Pride is a celebration of community, and that’s exactly what regional transit is all about,” said Caltrain Business Operations Project Manager Jason Dayvault. “By showing up together, Bay Area transit agencies are recognizing that our riders’ lives don’t stop at a city limit or county line, and neither does our commitment to serving them.”
Regional collaboration has long been a goal for transit leaders, and this Pride initiative reflects broader efforts to align services, improve connectivity and enhance the rider experience.
“From fare payment to transfers to graphic designs, Bay Area transit agencies are collaborating, coordinating and cooperating as never before,” said Metropolitan Transportation Commission Executive Director Andrew Fremier.
As part of this regional effort, storytelling is also playing a key role in highlighting the people and communities behind the system.
“There is something defining about Bay Area transit agencies coming together for Pride — it reflects what we do every day, connecting people and communities across the region,” said SamTrans Digital Communications Specialist Jamie Vizmanos. “Pride is about showing up for one another, and that is a commitment we take seriously on every route we run. Our riders are our community, and this is one more way of saying: you belong here, and we are here for you.”
SamTrans, Caltrain and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority will once again participate in the San Francisco Pride Parade as a unified contingent. This year, for the first time, Bay Area transit agencies have coordinated a consecutive parade lineup, creating a powerful regional presence that reflects the connections transit provides across communities throughout the Bay Area. Caltrain will also host a station activation at the San Francisco Station at Fourth and King streets, where staff will distribute Pride-themed giveaways and thank riders for choosing Caltrain.
The San Francisco Pride Parade is scheduled for Sunday, June 28, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Organizers invite riders, community members and employees to join in celebrating inclusion, diversity and the shared connections that move the Bay Area forward.
Together, the region’s transit agencies are not just moving people — they are moving a message of pride, unity and belonging.