The board of directors of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has approved the agency’s annual $1.2 billion two-year operating budget for fiscal years 2019 and 2020.
This operating budget outlines plans to expand Muni service by adding 68 new train cars, applying recommendations from the Muni Service Equity Strategy and launching Central Subway service. Changes include:
- Increased service because of new train cars: J Church, K Ingleside, L Taraval, M Oceanview, N Judah
- Additional service based on Equity Strategy recommendations: 12 Folsom, 29 Sunset, 44 O’Shaughnessy, 48 Quintara, 56 Rutland
- Larger vehicles based on Equity Strategy recommendations: 9R San Bruno Rapid and 30 Stockton
- Increased service from Central Subway launch: T Third
The operating budget also provides continued funding for free transit service for low-income youth, seniors and disabled riders. It will also supports the opening of the Islais Creek bus maintenance yard, adds additional Muni/BART station homeless services and provides relief to the taxi industry through targeted fee reductions, including a 50 percent reduction to the medallion renewal fee for Prop K medallion holders and a 50 percent reduction to the taxi stand application fee.
To further promote Muni ridership and incentivize prepayment of fares, the board voted to increase the single-ride cash fare differential (the difference between the cash price and the price paid using MuniMobile or a Clipper Card) to 50 cents. The agency will also adopt a new low-income single-ride fare to meet the needs of low-income riders and complement the Monthly Pass program; will implement a new Adult Day Pass to increase flexibility for regular customers and incentivize prepayment; and authorize a 10 percent discount for bulk purchases.
The Capital Budget is the SFMTA’s two-year financial plan and consolidated capital program. It represents the first two years of the SFMTA’s Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
Projects funded through this two-year budget include infrastructure investments as well as various procurements and other one-time initiatives (plans, educational programs, etc.) to be implemented throughout the city.
The FY 2019–2020 Capital Budget consists of $513.5 million in FY19 and $630.8 million in FY20. Funding commitments over the two years include:
- Street Safety Projects: $94.8 million
- Traffic and parking improvements: $34.5 million
- Transit Fleet Upgrades: $117.1 million
- Transit infrastructure: $118.9 million
- Transit expansion/optimization: $426 million
The SFMTA oversees all ground transportation in San Francisco, which includes operating the Municipal Railway as well as maintaining 1,212 signalized intersections, 447 lane miles of bicycle paths, 441,950 publicly available parking spaces (including garages) and more. The agency is also responsible for providing paratransit service and regulating the taxi industry as well as some emerging mobility services.
