Photo: freeside, flickr
Introduction
The State Transit Assistance (STA) program funds transit operating and capital projects with revenues from the state sales tax on diesel fuel. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) established the STA Block Grant program by combining funds that were previously distributed via a regional paratransit program and a Lifeline Transportation Program. As the Congestion Management Agency (CMA) for San Francisco, the Transportation Authority is responsible for administering San Francisco’s share of these funds.
San Francisco’s STA Block Grant program funds projects that are typically consistent with our history of funding lifeline transportation projects that focus on Equity Priority Communities and improve mobility and accessibility in low-income communities.
Background
The STA County Block Grant program is a flexible transit funding program that can be used for a wide range of capital and operating purposes. It is also a volatile source of funding given the fluctuations in the price of diesel fuel and resulting sales tax revenues. In FY 2018/19, MTC began distributing a majority of the region’s STA population-based funds to CMAs through a transit-focused STA County Block Grant program. The program allows each county to determine how best to invest in paratransit and other transit operating and capital needs, including providing lifeline transit services. Funds are distributed among the nine Bay Area counties based on the percentage that each county would have received in FY 2018/19 under the former regional programs. MTC requires that by May 1 of each year, CMAs submit the proposed programming for STA population-based funds.
Resources
San Francisco’s Equity Priority Communities Map
Contact
STA@sfcta.org
MyStreetSF Interactive Map
Visit MyStreetSF to see a map of projects funded by the Lifeline Transportation Program.
Funding Cycles
Fiscal Year 2025/26
| Project Sponsor | Project Name | STA Funds |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) | Paratransit | $3,300,000 |
| Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) | Elevator Attendant Program | $1,037,323 up to $1,265,603¹ |
| TOTAL | $4,565,603 | |
Fiscal Year 2024/25
| Project Sponsor | Project Name | STA Funds |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) | Paratransit | $3,300,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) | Treasure Island Electric Ferry Service | $1,418,859 up to $1,686,004 |
| Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) | Elevator Attendant Program | $356,901 |
| TOTAL | $7,213,228 | |
Fiscal Year 2023/24
| Project Sponsor | Project Name | STA Funds |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) | Paratransit | $3,300,000 |
| Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) | Elevator Attendant Program | $2,227,224² |
| TOTAL | $5,527,224 | |
Fiscal Year 2022/23
MTC redirected STA County Block Grant funds to assist transit operators with recovery from the COVID pandemic (MTC Resolution 4481, October 2021).
Fiscal Year 2021/22
| Project Sponsor | Project Name | STA Funds |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) | Paratransit | $3,012,914 |
| Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) | Elevator Attendant Program | $1,035,626 |
| TOTAL | $4,048,540 | |
Fiscal Year 2020/21
| Project Sponsor | Project Name | STA Funds |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) | Paratransit | $3,157,152 |
| TOTAL | $3,157,152 | |
Fiscal Year 2018/19 and 2019/2020
| Project Sponsor | Project Name | STA Funds |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) | Paratransit | $3,141,610 |
| San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) | Continuing Late Night Transit Service to Communities in Need | $1,609,700 |
| San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) | San Francisco Community Health Mobility Navigation Project: Removing Health Care Transportation Barriers for Low Access Neighborhoods | $396,300 |
| Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) | Elevator Attendant Program | $2,600,000 |
| TOTAL | $7,747,610 | |
¹ Funds are programmed up to $1,265,603 to BART's Elevator Attendant Program if actual STA revenues meet the current 100% estimate for Fiscal Year 2025/26.
² Funds covered two years of program costs.
The Transportation Authority programs STA funds on an annual basis each spring in order to meet MTC's May deadline to submit new projects.
Contact
STA@sfcta.org
Key Documents
Board Approval of FY25/26 STA Program (April 22, 2025) (PDF)
Board Approval of FY24/25 STA Program (May 21, 2025) (PDF)
State Transit Assistance Public Utilities Code (begin with Section 99312)
San Francisco's Community-Based Transportation Plans
San Francisco’s Equity Priority Communities Map
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