Overview
- The new law authorizes Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara and San Francisco counties to place a regional transit sales tax on the 2026 ballot at default rates of a half-cent in four counties and one cent in San Francisco.
- The Metropolitan Transportation Commission estimates the measure could raise about $980 million annually if approved, with the tax set to run for 14 years.
- Sixty percent of proceeds would preserve service on major operators including BART, Muni, Caltrain, AC Transit and San Francisco Bay Ferry, one-third would flow to county transportation authorities for transit operations, capital and bus-priority road work, and roughly 4.5% would fund rider experience improvements such as expanded Clipper START and accessibility upgrades.
- Transit leaders cite looming operating gaps—Muni around $300–$322 million per year starting in 2026, BART $350–$400 million annually by 2027—and the MTC pegs a combined regional shortfall near $900 million.
- Supporters say the revenue could prevent severe service cuts that agencies have warned about, while next steps include county actions to place the measure on ballots and the voter campaign required for passage.