[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6578808,"mediaKeyId","3141271-0964fe09ee0b2a02664977b8d9fc4f90","parentId",3141271,"title","Task force debates TDA reform and revenue options; members approve directing funds to transit in most cases","audioSeconds",12482,"startMs",2602000,"endMs",15084000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141271-0964fe09ee0b2a02664977b8d9fc4f90&start=2602&end=15084","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3141271-0964fe09ee0b2a02664977b8d9fc4f90/thumbnail_2602000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6578808/California/Task-force-debates-TDA-reform-and-revenue-options-members-approve-directing-funds-to-transit-in-most-cases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578808-37197cf2e3dd49926ef3042e92fb2a7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924045&Signature=K3jrtW6cQfPpb1Ibb8LtLA8louqiqdfGUv2XwS7bpOoOUTdH-qLmbEZx8puKcPVJCwqSKeUFTeEYIQS2Da0DYck9tV6JzjvBiRXD4FQc-C9gJNES2RLqPFZDOsYo3rBOTZOhTP0WU~Nl0EAk-oJH2RQTwHRC7X8QSR~fNN1u1gMG7M~12ojBl-P9RdhNbLDX5IKWuxmYf4MSng4hqap8aEhuy15RoHmjrpmX9CLN9~43ktGEnrsmTJ29wgOYVYJzqFUTKSD1jhQQ4nZK3xXFW5wDXP7mykEjeZrQEBIfNn8GdCjCKm4NfU3HlR8FllbOPSvNxIaoYY9GFyppsrUhZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","California State Transportation Agency","date","2025-04-28T23:01:35.407Z","article","Staff presented updated analysis of likely operating and capital costs for transit over the next decade, and a menu of potential revenue sources. The operating scenarios showed wide variance depending on assumptions about service levels and unit costs; staff presented illustrative capital scenarios that ranged from roughly $3.6 billion to more than $11 billion per year in 2035 depending on assumptions about fleet electrification and program scale.

The staff memo set out near‑, mid‑ and long‑term frames for action: near‑term stabilization to avoid immediate service cuts; mid‑term revenue and program changes to support a ‘‘transit transformation’’ of more service and higher reliability; and long‑term structural change to produce sustainable operating support.

Possible new revenue sources included reauthorization of cap‑and‑trade (GGRF), a future road user charge to replace declining gas tax revenues, expanded use of value capture and property‑linked financing, corporate and high‑income taxes, payroll levies, and expanded federal and state grants. Staff presented a simple illustration: adding roughly $1.25 billion a year to the statewide transit budget could be achieved by incrementally allocating portions of personal income, corporate, payroll or other tax bases; staff used the figure as an illustrative target to compare options, not as a recommended tax design.

Task force members debated the scope and urgency of TDA reform. Several members asked that the body go beyond a stakeholder working group and instead propose specific replacement metrics for the TDA’s farebox recovery and efficiency criteria; others said the task force should create a statutory process that produces final metrics on a defined schedule. The group also discussed the TDA ‘‘unmet needs’’ process; several members and advocacy commenters said the process is not delivering transit improvements, while representatives of rural areas asked for protections for regions that rely on LTF for non‑transit local services.

A motion to eliminate the unmet‑needs hearing process and require that Local Transportation Funds (LTF) be spent on transit unless no transit service exists passed after amendment. The approved language requires that LTF be spent on transit where a transit system is present; if an area has no transit, funds may be redirected. The task force also adopted a motion to approve a set of staff TDA reform recommendations (UU and WW items), while deferring UU‑2 (a working group on metrics) for further detail and adding direction that staff return with a tighter proposal on metrics.

Ending: Staff will return with additional detail on TDA metric options, implementation pathways and a clearer financial baseline for the next meeting. Members urged parallel work to define service outcomes so revenue needs can be tied to measurable access goals.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Transit Transformation Task Force (TTTF) Meeting #10 - April 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff presented scenarios for operating and capital needs and a menu of revenue options. After debate the task force approved several process changes for TDA reform and voted to require that Local Transportation Funds be spent on transit except where no transit exists.","taxTitle","California State Transportation Agency, Agencies under Office of the Governor, Executive, California","taxId",76467,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6578813,"Task force advances draft recommendations on accessible transportation; disability advocates press for stronger commitments",663,2365000,3028000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141271-0964fe09ee0b2a02664977b8d9fc4f90&start=2365&end=3028","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3141271-0964fe09ee0b2a02664977b8d9fc4f90/thumbnail_2365000.jpg","/articles/6578813/California/Task-force-advances-draft-recommendations-on-accessible-transportation-disability-advocates-press-for-stronger-commitments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578813-d74f46416cfb3423d1fccbfa5c65a547/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924045&Signature=O5ovbUZlJZs8~6lvNS78Uc5XitMorK~5-KnZqzosKDccymR5S8pyFrJbTabljJxcW4RW~Cq0e4oZ6NuKYDlM76YVlc0lYVvWDRTOGl8DilLHKyhAnZ5YGOt9NAHyR5nGrV~ws070lWun4zpM1lQngb~-BrEPIJ~5gv4QrOsoJOSx4W7OvUufDmJasWxr7xop0DbRML2IISCwzI57yceXHa1f6I7UP5wF7n3FkDoGHMdaCjoL-UX9gWD9dpu8hPC-iG-5DiyriXnop23HUxBFQPxC1qH9C7cHWCDIX8PIzR-f9TtVQhj5iPGn4iBYMBEoVFn-nkHzIg0dguD8MO0CSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Task force staff presented a set of recommendations for accessible transportation and paratransit reform, including improved coordination among transit, health care and social‑service providers, standardized inventories of transit stop accessibility, and ways to expand paratransit eligibility and coordination.

Public commenters — many identifying themselves as disability and senior advocates — urged the task force to prioritize accessibility and to fund paratransit and stop accessibility improvements. Speakers raised recurring concerns about elevator outages, inconsistent boarding access, retraumatizing or duplicative paratransit eligibility re‑assessments, and the need for meaningful rider advisory committees. Several advocates recommended that agencies provide an option to speak to a live person for eligibility or complaint resolution.

Staff outlined multiple draft strategies (labeled in the staff packet as MM through QQ) and said they would refine the language and implementation steps based on task force input. Members pressed for clarity about which items would require legislation, which were within agency authority, and where seed state funding might support cooperative procurements or shared services.

After discussion, the task force voted to approve the majority of the accessible‑transportation recommendations while flagging specific items for revision. The body approved the staff package of recommendations except for a short list that staff would rework: staff were asked to revise MM‑1 and MM‑4 (coordination/procurement language), OO‑1 (transit stop accessibility inventory wording), and QQ‑1 (the scope of a statewide needs assessment). The vote was recorded by roll call; the motion passed.

Following the vote, the task force considered detailed wordsmithing for a smaller set of items. Members approved edited language on a revised set of MM recommendations (to encourage coordination and to clarify when agencies should make one‑seat trips, and to correct a typographical error from \"per capital\" to \"per capita\"). The revised language and the list of pulled items will be incorporated into the staff packet and returned at a later meeting for further review.

Ending: Staff said they would circulate draft redlines and host an interim editing session; advocates asked staff to ensure the revisions include clear funding estimates, implementation timelines and requirements for rider engagement.","Public commenters and staff outlined recommendations to improve paratransit, transit stop accessibility and service coordination; the task force approved a package of staff recommendations while pulling several items for revision.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6578818,"Bay Area transit leaders warn of fiscal cliff, urge regional revenue measure",0,2918000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141271-0964fe09ee0b2a02664977b8d9fc4f90&start=2918&end=2918","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3141271-0964fe09ee0b2a02664977b8d9fc4f90/thumbnail_2918000.jpg","/articles/6578818/California/Bay-Area-transit-leaders-warn-of-fiscal-cliff-urge-regional-revenue-measure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578818-bdb09ae7e7c8ba6d9558d91a56deff2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924045&Signature=K2OUnH6wt-7pae3SMdz0pyynzOQjTrMSEzaBRW-JGrB3B-4QKYohRkJa-s2K8GBJzYUQZMuL7Q1nHXR1boPE~kSlOULaZ1jScoMWL0Asj6Kla9iSAXl3Lf31S-4xV1PAtSt-VuzXV8SomGP30DlFsZIkU5Abn-qNoVbvDYGifwcRk6DTzjUSS0aNK9owoY1B4kJc9a2hrsCSQ7~mHqwZYIUSyTa8tr6rHvg17McnoGzkuVRUysyeNtNPm~MFHdS4dK00I3Otv-kw0~vs~ilV4KR6jRB85weOAkm1W0QwXiVw3MXhAgsjEjizGExb1dWYbpTS7GSVdOGx1ByCW4gmSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alex Bockelman, who identified himself as a staffer at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, told the SB 125 Transit Transformation Task Force that the Bay Area faces a ‘‘transit fiscal cliff’’ caused by long‑term declines in weekday commuting and consequent losses in fare and parking revenue.

Bockelman said overall transit ridership in the Bay Area remains about two‑thirds of pre‑COVID levels and that operators that rely heavily on farebox and parking revenue have been hit hardest. He told the task force that emergency federal and state infusions totaling more than $4 billion helped backfill losses in recent years, but those funds were not permanent.

‘‘This is simply a math problem,’’ Bockelman said, summarizing staff analysis that service cuts alone cannot close the gap. He told the task force that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission convened a select committee to evaluate a potential transportation revenue measure intended to avoid major service cuts, advance ‘‘transit transformation’’ and win voter support in Sacramento and at the ballot box. He noted a bill introduced by state Sens. Scott Wiener and Aaron Peskin Arreguín had cleared two committees this week to enable a regional revenue measure.

Bockelman framed the crisis as broader than mobility: reduced service would undercut the Bay Area’s climate goals and housing strategies. He said MTC analysis shows that if BART and other operators cut service drastically, the region could miss greenhouse‑gas reduction targets and that nearly 500,000 people already live in roughly 200,000 homes within a half‑mile of a BART station — a concentration planners expect to grow under Plan Bay Area 2050.

Public commenters at the task force echoed the call for new revenue sources. Dylan Fabris of San Francisco Transit Riders urged ‘‘renewing and expanding’’ programs such as cap‑and‑trade and keeping road‑use fees on the table as electric vehicles proliferate. Disability and senior advocates asked the task force to ensure any funding strategy protects paratransit and accessibility improvements, and Seamless Bay Area’s Adina Levin urged better linkage between service‑led planning and capital project choices.

Task force members discussed how a regional measure would fit into a layered funding approach that includes local, state and federal support. Staff emphasized that a regional ballot measure alone would likely be necessary but not sufficient: local operators would still need to identify efficiency gains and the state and federal governments would need to supply operating support for a durable solution.

The task force did not take a formal vote on a regional measure at the meeting. Members repeatedly urged that any measure be paired with concrete service‑level outcomes so voters can see how new revenues would translate to faster, more frequent and more reliable service.

The task force asked staff to return with further financial scenarios and outreach results to shape recommendations for what a regional or state funding package should include.

Ending: Bockelman and public commenters cast the challenge in both fiscal and policy terms: sustaining transit in the Bay Area will require new, ongoing revenue plus targeted investments aimed at service speed, frequency and accessibility.","Metropolitan Transportation Commission staff told the SB 125 Transit Transformation Task Force that post‑COVID ridership declines and shrinking fare and parking revenues have created a structural funding gap that will force service cuts unless new regional or state revenue is found.","actionData","errors"]

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Task force debates TDA reform and revenue options; members approve directing funds to transit in most cases

Task force advances draft recommendations on accessible transportation; disability advocates press for stronger commitments

Bay Area transit leaders warn of fiscal cliff, urge regional revenue measure