Bay Area Legislators Propose 2026 Sales Tax to Rescue Regional Transit

SB63 aims to stabilize funding for BART, Muni, and other systems facing severe deficits, but voter approval remains uncertain.

State Senators Scott Wiener and Jesse Arreguín introduced SB63, proposing a multi-county sales tax to address looming transit funding shortfalls.
The measure targets San Francisco, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties, with San Mateo and Santa Clara counties able to opt in by mid-2025.
BART and Muni project annual deficits of $350 million and $300 million respectively starting in 2026, risking drastic service cuts without new funding.
The bill includes provisions to improve transit system integration, such as seamless transfers and fare coordination across agencies.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie plans a separate 2026 ballot measure for Muni funding, coordinated to avoid competition with SB63.