Bay Area Voters Show Strong Support for Public Transit

With more than 1.1 million ballots counted thus far, Bay Area voters appear to have approved the Regional Transit Measure (RTM), which would generate approximately $980 million a year in new public investment to ensure service remains stable for BART, Muni, Caltrain and AC Transit riders. The measure also would fund improvements to make the transit rider experience faster, more affordable and easier to navigate. One-third of the funds would support other local transportation priorities across the region, and the measure includes increased transit agency oversight and accountability.

The measure required a simple majority of all votes for passage, and it is currently leading with a vote of 61.5% across the five counties as of 7:30 a.m., November 4.  
 

With the anticipated passage of this important public investment, BART, Muni, Caltrain and AC Transit would stave off major service cuts. Bay Area transit riders take more than 1 million trips each day, with over 80% of these trips on Muni, BART, Caltrain or AC Transit. Riders include tens of thousands of students, seniors, people with disabilities and low-income residents.  

“The passage of RTM is a huge win for the Bay Area. Reliable public transportation is essential to our region’s economy, affordability and quality of life. I am grateful such a strong majority of Bay Area voters said 'yes' to stabilizing and strengthening our transit system, ensuring that the millions of residents who depend on transit can continue to rely on it,” said Sue Noack, MTC Chair and Pleasant Hill Councilmember.

The Regional Transit Measure — authorized by state Senate Bill 63, which was authored by senators Scott Wiener of San Francisco and Jesse Arreguín of Berkeley and signed into law last year by Gov. Gavin Newsom — establishes a 14-year retail transactions and use tax of 0.5% in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties and 1% in the City and County of San Francisco.  

Approximately two thirds (63%) of the money raised from the measure would go to the operation of buses, trains and ferries on BART, Muni, Caltrain, AC Transit, San Francisco Bay Ferry, East Bay bus agencies and Golden Gate Transit.    

One-third of the funds from the measure would go to Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans), Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), and Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) to support local priorities, including transit infrastructure and vehicles, transit service operations, and repaving roads with regular bus service.  

Five percent of the measure’s funds would go toward improvements to the rider experience, like better wayfinding and signage, accessibility upgrades for seniors and people with disabilities, and discounted fare programs for low-income riders. These resources also would fund the management and oversight of the funds.  

SB 63 requires MTC to conduct strict fiscal reviews, including a two-phase financial efficiency review of BART, Muni, Caltrain and AC Transit directed by an independent oversight committee, and the implementation of cost-savings plans. 

“The voters have given us a mandate and now it’s incumbent on us to deliver by being good stewards of these resources. We plan to work across agencies to identify efficiencies and ensure there is transparency so we can maintain the public’s trust,” added MTC Chair Noack.  

The first phase of the transit efficiency review was completed in May 2026 and identified $1 billion in cost-saving measures already taken by BART, Muni, Caltrain and AC Transit. With voter approval of the measure, the second phase of the review would be undertaken in 2027, and by early 2028, all four agencies supported by the measure would be required to adopt and adhere to cost-savings implementation plans.   

RTM funds for transit operating purposes and rider focused improvements would be administered by MTC. Funds for flexible county priorities would be transferred by the Public Transit Revenue Measure District to ACTC, CCTA, SamTrans and VTA in accordance with their local RTM investment plans.