CONTACT: Lisbet Sunshine /Alia Al-Sharif, SFCTA; 415-522-4800, info@sfcta.org

The San Francisco County Transportation Authority has maintained the highest possible rating of AAA by Fitch Ratings for $164.5 million in outstanding senior sales tax revenue bonds. This is the fifth year Fitch affirmed a AAA rating on the agency’s debt, placing the Transportation Authority among the highest rated organizations in California.

The Transportation Authority repays the bonds using revenues from San Francisco’s half-cent sales tax, which is estimated to be approximately $108 million in the agency's fiscal year budget ending June 2026.

The agency’s high credit rating reflects multiple factors including its high debt service coverage ratio, stable management and prudent stewardship of the sales tax program. A strong credit rating facilitates lower borrowing costs for the Transportation Authority, such as through its revolving credit facility.

“I am proud to congratulate the San Francisco County Transportation Authority on earning an AAA rating for its stewardship of transportation sales tax funds. This top-tier recognition reflects the agency’s strong financial management, transparency, and accountability. It also reinforces the public’s trust that these funds are being invested responsibly in projects that improve access across our city,” said District 7 Transportation Authority Board Chair and Supervisor Myrna Melgar.

The Transportation Authority’s short-term revolver loan and long-term bond are part of the agency’s overall financial strategy to advance half-cent sales tax project delivery and allow benefits to the public to be realized sooner than would otherwise be possible.

The Transportation Authority has overseen the use of bond proceeds, plus interest earned, to support the delivery of key projects such as:

  • Muni bus, trolley, and light rail vehicles;
  • Caltrain Modernization, including the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project;
  • Balboa Park Station Area and Plaza Improvements; and
  • Various traffic safety and signal projects citywide.

In 2024, the Transportation Authority earned a Certificate of Achievement from the Government Finance Officers Association for the seventh consecutive year. This is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, underscoring the Transportation Authority’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

The Transportation Authority has managed San Francisco’s voter-approved transportation sales tax for transportation since 1990, helping to deliver generations of major capital projects, as well as neighborhood-level improvements citywide.

Learn more about the Transportation Authority’s activities in our 2024 Annual Report or sign up for our newsletter, The Messenger.

About the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (sfcta.org)

The San Francisco County Transportation Authority’s mission is to make travel safer, healthier, and easier for all. We plan, fund, and deliver local and regional projects to improve travel choices for residents, commuters, and visitors throughout the city. The Transportation Authority Board consists of the 11 members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, who act as Transportation Authority Board Members. Board Member Supervisor Myrna Melgar serves as Chair of the Transportation Authority and Tilly Chang is the Transportation Authority’s Executive Director.