Bay Area Transit Funding Measure Seeks Voter Support

VTA holds community meetings on proposed half-cent sales tax for Bay Area transit funding

VTA Hosts Meetings on Bay Area Transit Tax Measure

Bay Area residents can weigh in on a proposed transit funding measure at community meetings hosted by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority this month. VTA is holding sessions April 8 and 9 to discuss California Senate Bill 63, which will appear on the ballot in coming months and proposes a half-cent sales tax increase for 14 years. The measure would generate hundreds of millions in funding for public transportation across five Bay Area counties.

Context

The proposed tax would affect Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Francisco, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties, transit officials said. Santa Clara County could receive more than $260 million to support bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as traffic congestion management projects. Santa Clara County voters have supported public transit for over 30 years as the nation's first "self-help" county, according to VTA. The agency's three primary goals for the potential funding are growing ridership, increasing productivity, and enhancing customer experience.

Details

VTA currently serves 27.7 million public transit trips annually, with passengers traveling nearly 134 million miles, according to agency data. The proposed funding would support the agency's bus, light rail, and paratransit operations across Santa Clara County. Officials said the meetings will provide information about how the measure would impact local transit services. Community members will have opportunities to ask questions and share feedback about the proposed funding during the sessions.

Timeline

VTA scheduled two virtual community meetings for April 8 and April 9, along with an in-person session April 9 at the Bascom Community Center. Bay Area voters will decide on the measure in coming months, though officials haven't announced a specific election date. Community members are encouraged to register for the meetings to learn more about the ballot measure before voting.

Impact

Riders across the five-county region would see impacts from the measure if approved, with funding directed toward maintaining and expanding bus, light rail, and paratransit services. Officials said the tax increase would provide critical transportation funding for the Bay Area's transit infrastructure. Community members can register for the upcoming meetings to learn how the measure would affect their local transit services. Moovit provides real-time updates and trip planning for VTA bus and light rail routes throughout Santa Clara County.