The Transportation Authority of Marin has initiated a significant overhaul of its website, aiming to enhance user experience and accessibility. The agency’s board approved a contract worth $185,000 with lowercase productions, a San Francisco-based firm, to redesign the website and provide support services for two years.
Melanie Purcell, the agency’s finance director, emphasized the goal of aligning the website with current best practices for design, functionality, and maintenance. The project also seeks to meet state and federal requirements for accessibility and transparency. “We want to design something that really embraces that transparency and sets a new standard,” Purcell stated.
The Transportation Authority of Marin began the project with a request for proposals in September, attracting 27 applications. After a thorough evaluation, the board shortlisted four candidates based on similar timelines and processes. Ultimately, lowercase productions presented the most competitive bid.
The first phase of the project involves gathering feedback from website users, staff, and officials. This input will help identify deficiencies and areas for improvement. Testing is scheduled to start in the summer, with a full launch targeted for January 1, 2027. The contract allocates $130,950 for the website update and launch, with the remaining funds designated for maintenance, hosting, and contingency plans.
Concerns regarding accessibility standards were raised during the discussions. Steve Burdo, a board member and San Anselmo Councilmember, asked the staff if measures were in place to ensure compliance with digital accessibility standards. Purcell reassured him that the selected vendor’s expertise in accessibility was a vital criterion in the selection process.
Another board member, Mary Sackett, expressed the importance of leveraging modern technology in the redesign. “I hope that we’re taking advantage of that rather than sort of doing today’s website that may be out of date in three years,” she said. Purcell noted that the ability to innovate and provide a modern interface played a crucial role in selecting the contractor.
The managing director of lowercase productions, Dan Reider, highlighted his firm’s extensive experience working with government agencies, particularly in transportation. His firm has collaborated with organizations such as Bay Area Rapid Transit, AC Transit, and Caltrans.
“We’re building for the future,” Reider explained. “This is not just a site that’s going to be up and running and look nice for three years and then dies. It’s expansive, it’s open-ended, and with strict governance, it allows the organization to take control of that progress as we move forward.”
The initiative by the Transportation Authority of Marin reflects a commitment to improving public service through technology. By prioritizing accessibility and user experience, the agency aims to set a new benchmark in digital communication for government entities.
