Bay Area transit faces a fiscal cliff in 2026 when federal operating support ends. Voters will get a chance to fully-fund transit on the November 2026 ballot. The state budget approved by the California legislature and signed by Governor Newsom included a $750 million loan to Bay Area transit agencies to prevent draconian service cuts until the new revenues show up in 2027. But on Friday the governor announced he was reneging on the promised $750 million state loan to transit. Without this emergency loan, Muni, BART, AC Transit, and Caltrain will drastically cut services in 2026.
Bay Area transit and environmental advocates organized an Emergency Rally to Save Bay Area Transit on Monday September 8 at Civic Center Plaza, which was joined by Bay Area elected officials and union leaders. At the rally Senator Scott Wiener, who has been leading the legislative effort to place a regional transit funding measure on the 2026 ballot, said we have a chance to change the governor’s mind and save Bay Area Transit if we keep up the pressure.
So call Governor Newsom today at (916) 445-2841 and let him know that the $750 million loan is crucial to keep the Bay Area moving and keep the region healthy, equitable, and livable. Our friends at SF Transit Riders provided this useful script and contact form.
Update: Thanks to the advocacy of our public transit supporters, on Weds September 10, Governor Newsom announced continued state financial support for Bay Area transit. However, the duration and terms of the loan are still up in the air – keep the pressure on and let the governor’s office know just how much public transit means to you.
