By Margaret McCarthy
On their November ballots, Bay Area voters will be asked whether to approve the Regional Transit Measure (SB63). SB63 is a multi-county transportation revenue measure that would provide approximately $1 billion a year in new funding for transit throughout the Bay Area. Revenue would be generated through a 1% local sales surtax in San Francisco and a 0.5% surtax in the other four participating counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara) for 14 years.
Historically, transit ridership was the bedrock funding source of BART and other transit agencies. Although transit ridership in the Bay Area is steadily increasing, it still has not reached pre-pandemic levels. Local transit agencies have largely closed the gap thus far with federal relief funds, but those funds are sunsetting; BART alone is projecting a $350-400 million per year deficit once emergency aid ends.
Without this measure, major transportation service providers predict the following cuts would be necessary:
BART would close 15 stations, shut down two lines, and cut train service by 70%.
Caltrain would run only once per hour , end service by 9 p.m. on weekdays, and eliminate all weekend service.
Muni would cut services by at least 30%, cancel at least 20 bus routes, end regular evening service, and cut cable car service.
AC Transit would reduce service by 16%.
Meanwhile, former transit riders will still need to commute. With more limited options, there are likely to be large increases in traffic across the region.
Proponents say passage of the tax would prevent these steep cuts and fund transit improvements to safety , cleanliness, convenience, and the seamless integration of transit services. The measure includes third-party financial efficiency reviews for BART , Muni, AC Transit, and Caltrain as a condition of continued funding.
You can find more information about the measure, including an impartial analysis of its contents and further details on impacts on different transit agencies, at https://mtc.ca.gov/about-mtc/authorities/public-transit-revenue-measure-district.