Regional Transit Measure

Regional Transit Measure to be on the Ballot

League of Women Voters Bay Area Supports Regional Transit Measure

Click Here for Slides from September 24th Webinar

Click Here for Transcript of the Webinar

The League of Women Voters Bay Area (LWVBA) supports the Regional Transit Measure on the November 3rd ballot and has signed the ballot measure argument and rebuttal in all five participating counties.

The League’s support reflects its long-standing commitment to regional cooperation, equitable transportation, environmental sustainability, and public accountability.

Why Is the Measure Needed?

The measure, authorized by Senate Bill 63 (Connect Bay Area Act), would provide funding to maintain public transportation services in Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Francisco counties.

Public transit agencies, including BART, AC Transit, Caltrain, and SF Muni, continue to face financial challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic. Ridership declined dramatically and has not fully recovered. Without additional funding, agencies may be forced to reduce or eliminate services.

These reductions would disproportionately affect residents who depend on transit for employment, education, medical appointments, and daily necessities. Reliable transportation is essential to economic stability and independence.

How Would the Measure Be Funded?

The measure would establish a half-percent sales tax in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties and a 1% sales tax in San Francisco for 14 years. It is projected to generate approximately $980 million annually.

Funding would be distributed as follows:

$611 million to preserve existing transit services, with BART receiving the largest allocation, followed by Muni and other regional operators.
$325 million for transit infrastructure, operations, and roads serving regular bus routes.
$45 million for improvements in affordability, accessibility, transfers, signage, and navigation, including expanded Clipper START benefits.
$2 million for administration and oversight.

Accountability and Oversight

SB 63 establishes an independent Oversight Committee to monitor compliance and ensure funds supplement existing transportation investments rather than replace them.

Participating counties and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) would provide additional oversight. Funding could be withheld when agencies fail to address concerns involving fares, service, cleanliness, maintenance, or performance.

The legislation also requires evaluation of transit costs and long-term financial sustainability.

Support and Opposition

Supporters include a coalition of 66 business, labor, and community leaders. Major campaign contributors include Salesforce, Chris Larsen, and Transit American Services.

Opponents cite concerns about increased sales taxes. On August 17, the Committee for Affordable Bay Area Transit filed a lawsuit seeking changes to aspects of the ballot questions. The lawsuit does not affect the measure’s appearance on the ballot.

Why the League Supports It

The Bay Area functions as one interconnected region, with residents regularly crossing county boundaries for work, education, healthcare, and community activities.

LWVBA believes maintaining reliable regional transit, combined with SB 63’s accountability and accessibility provisions, is essential to the region’s economy, environment, and quality of life.

The League encourages voters to carefully consider the measure’s importance to the Bay Area’s future.