SB63 authors Senator Wiener and Senator Arreguin with Contra Costa Metropolitan Transportation Commssion Chair Sue Noack
Public transit plays a critical role in the lives of many and supports the climate, equity, and recovery goals for the entire region. As the Bay Area faces the need for more funding for transit operations, lawmakers and transportation stakeholders are considering strategies, including ballot measures and other revenue solutions, to continue providing sustainable and reliable service for riders.
Funding Options Packages Discussed at Muni Funding Working Group
On March 21, SFMTA held their seventh and final Muni Funding Working Group workshop session where staff presented six different packages containing various funding options to help resolve the agency’s anticipated $320 million annual operating deficit beginning in fiscal year 2027.
Each package proposed a unique combination of ballot measures, efficiencies, new parking revenues, subsidy reductions, and service and program cuts, among other funding solutions.
Working group members indicated broad support for Package A, which proposes ballot measures to generate the bulk of revenues and does not include any Muni transit service cuts.
View the summary of package options presentation (PDF) and handout (PDF)
SFMTA will provide a presentation on the packages and the working group’s findings to its board during the April 22 budget workshop and is scheduled to present to the Transportation Authority Board at its May 13 meeting. Implementation of the selected package of recommendations will move forward later this year. April 22 SFMTA Board of Directors’ Workshop Presentation (PDF)
BART and Caltrain Financial Outlook
During the March 25 Transportation Authority Board meeting, staff from BART and Caltrain provided presentations on their financial outlooks, efforts to grow and retain ridership and improve customer experience, and overall ridership trends, as they work to address funding challenges caused by changes in travel patterns due to the pandemic. Both transit agencies discussed their support for and involvement in developing a regional transportation revenue measure that would help sustain services and build on investments to improve quality of life and equity in the Bay Area.
BART: Facing the Fiscal Cliff Presentation (PDF)
Caltrain Overview Presentation (PDF)
Watch the presentations at the March 25 Transportation Authority Board meeting
Senate Bill 63 Regional Transportation Revenue Measure
On March 25, Senators Scott Wiener and Jesse Arreguín introduced substantive amendments to their Senate Bill 63 that lays the foundation for a potential regional transportation revenue measure for the November 2026 ballot in multiple counties. The voter measure would provide sustainable funding for Bay Area transit agencies, focusing on BART, Muni, Caltrain, and AC Transit, which face the largest operating funding shortfalls and carry the most riders.
If enacted, SB 63 would authorize a sales tax increase, subject to voter approval, in San Francisco, Contra Costa, and Alameda Counties, with the possibility for San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties to opt in. The default rate is set at a half-cent, with the potential for San Francisco to choose a rate up to one cent to provide additional support for Muni. The revenue generated would be allocated based on a spending plan developed by counties in partnership with transit agencies and other stakeholders.
SB 63 is currently under consideration in the California State Legislature. The Transportation Authority Board adopted a final support position on the bill at the April 22 meeting.
Summer 2025 Service Cuts Approved by the SFMTA Board of Directors
Meanwhile, in April, the SFMTA Board of Directors approved a number of measures on April 15 to help the agency address its near-term deficit of $50 million for the 2026 fiscal year.
Service cuts to the 5, 6, 9, 21, and 31 Muni lines will take effect on June 21. Under these route changes, each line would turn around at Market Street, and the 6 Haight-Parnassus and 21 Hayes lines will be consolidated into a single line, saving the agency approximately $7.2 million for the year.
Additionally, several changes to parking meter rates and fees will be implemented citywide beginning May 15, including increasing all current rates by $0.25 and raising the minimum rate from $0.50 to $1.00.
These actions will complement other funding and cost-saving solutions identified by SFMTA to close the coming year’s budget deficit
View the SFMTA staff reports for the summer 2025 service changes (PDF) and changes to parking meter rates and fees (PDF)