[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6236222,"mediaKeyId","3376209-88aac1c15f23278934648ff389434fb6","parentId",3376209,"title","MTC vice chair outlines Plan Bay Area goals, warns transit operators face steep operating shortfalls","audioSeconds",707,"startMs",2490000,"endMs",3197000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3376209-88aac1c15f23278934648ff389434fb6&start=2490&end=3197","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3376209-88aac1c15f23278934648ff389434fb6/thumbnail_2490000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6236222/California/MTC-vice-chair-outlines-Plan-Bay-Area-goals-warns-transit-operators-face-steep-operating-shortfalls","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236222-15a2b2be69c560392f3ac3d5e2a02679/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035531&Signature=VMDrRNO4sZGmtzYQz34KSC0CjxWL~Uy9fMa7ve3yBO73G0qNUPeVvkV9M2uGbdLZFhOCVBnxipu5kRcm2ID-x~pihV2sZ6-Z2AgWEojBVdFC7TYLQwffm4X-zAQJ4nV40s3AGOCfNQuDQF1sg1y1-CZsef4OOrKyyuBppqpo~oPFSgZuRzQ6YFbnRSbXe08zJ7pYS6AD~mBeY1zWAv-xFq4fmsIh6mxm-0xVJdmGqYqZcPrLPwXhY5oHPVIaNw3B42Pt-8--knUuYP6QWW35oR3bH3cotC3RUNfIXcsNFdT1cKYe-OTKx25DZNsxNrF-WuT130pe1lEFBdtVW2263Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","California Transportation Commission","date","2025-05-19T00:50:35Z","article","Metropolitan Transportation Commission leaders briefed the California Transportation Commission on Plan Bay Area priorities and the region’s transit recovery challenges.

Stephanie Moulton Peters, vice chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), described Plan Bay Area 2050+ as the region’s long‑range blueprint that links transportation, housing, the economy and the environment. “The plan should ensure that by the year 2050, the Bay Area is affordable, connected, diverse, healthy, and vibrant for all,” Moulton Peters said.

She summarized the region’s transit recovery work and a projected operating shortfall for major systems, noting a draft estimate that could approach $900 million in annual transit operating costs beginning in fiscal year 2027 if current fare recovery and cost trends continue. MTC has proposed a set of customer‑focused priorities—fare integration, better wayfinding, transit priority, schedule coordination and accessibility improvements—as part of a transit transformation action plan.

Moulton Peters also described a draft legislative measure, referred to in the presentation as Senate Bill 63, that would focus on funding core operators (BART, Caltrain, AC Transit and Muni) and allow three Bay Area counties to participate with options for two more to opt in. The commission was told MTC expects county participation decisions over the summer and a key legislative milestone was an upcoming Senate Appropriations review.

Moulton Peters highlighted major capital projects funded or underway in the region—Caltrain electrification, the I‑80 Gilman Street interchange, the Marin‑Sonoma Narrows—and reminded the CTC that voter‑approved Regional Measure 3 will finance a large share of bridge and regional projects; about one‑third of the RM3 program has been allocated to date.

The presentation was informational; commissioners asked questions but did not take formal action. Moulton Peters thanked the CTC for hosting its meeting in San Francisco and highlighted interagency collaboration on housing, land use and transportation planning across the Bay Area.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 2025 CTC Meeting - Day 1","oneSentenceSummary","MTC Vice Chair Stephanie Moulton Peters presented Plan Bay Area 2050+ priorities and warned that major Bay Area transit operators face a multi‑hundred million‑dollar annual shortfall unless new revenues or cost recovery measures are put in place.","taxTitle","Transportation Commission, Agencies under Office of the Governor, Executive, California","taxId",70065,"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},6236232,"California Transportation Commission adopts 2025 statewide needs assessment, flags $216 billion shortfall",3142,9492000,12634000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3376209-88aac1c15f23278934648ff389434fb6&start=9492&end=12634","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3376209-88aac1c15f23278934648ff389434fb6/thumbnail_9492000.jpg","/articles/6236232/California/California-Transportation-Commission-adopts-2025-statewide-needs-assessment-flags-216-billion-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236232-bf13b138e306e30e205a5cd16378e275/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035531&Signature=gFcgu1AoLbtvMYiynsrpzrwp4jCQyysUQBscmvTCTz1g51OwS4uOLuqItCAaUW1tVTeKN2sapzSyy-7N6~MTEe1nnirpX43roiTXNLgaOcaC17hJ0j1U0V~yc1i~xc86xFNrbCo110HA3UsrTlBcOp9dTvwrxVUVpIACVM2hV-t2t5AFCwGwyP9kRcpv4eoHyN-hq2V-M5fKtCaZ5zJmkn5Si4lfIpbzOgzJddA-GkF8Xut13ZlXTyg1lUlVTarIXWbhByJ~i4o~qXP4c3eZ5Hdb0suGYpOXIGP~46x~9UlEfl3pmg7IEVuDX-asUb90me1uMAnX7~LMnkdg5JSc3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The California Transportation Commission on Thursday adopted the 2025 State and Local Transportation System Needs Assessment, a statutorily required 10‑year review that sets statewide priorities for preservation, safety, transit and climate resiliency. Francis Diaz Sanchez, who led the assessment team, told commissioners the report estimates $756.8 billion in needs over 10 years and projects available revenues of about $572 billion, producing a $215.7 billion shortfall.

Why it matters: the assessment, prepared under Senate Bill 1121, is the first statewide inventory of multimodal needs required by law and is intended to inform legislative and executive actions on long‑term transportation funding. The report recommends a “phased implementation” of a sustainable funding mechanism to blunt declining fuel‑tax receipts and stabilize funding.

The commission’s staff described the methodology used for the assessment, which included regional surveys, stakeholder workshops and coordination with state climate and planning guidance. Diaz Sanchez said the team incorporated public comments and refined sections on tribal access routes and accessible transportation demographics.

Commissioners and outside commenters stressed urgency. Commissioner Tiffany praised the staff’s work, saying, “tremendous job,” and warned that nearly $31 billion of the shortfall reflects projected declines in fuel consumption, increasing the need to act quickly on a sustainable revenue source.

The commission approved the assessment after discussion and public comment and directed staff to transmit the adopted report to the Legislature. The needs assessment will be updated again as required by statute; staff said the next full update is planned for 2030.

What the report recommends: among several findings and policy recommendations, the assessment: (1) calls for a phased transition away from reliance on the state fuel excise tax, (2) highlights climate‑resiliency and tribal access needs, (3) requests better data collection for local streets, bicycle/pedestrian needs and transit operations for the next update.

The commission voted to adopt the assessment in a recorded motion; there was no roll call opposition. Staff will submit the document to the Legislature and continue work on the 2030 update.

Notes for follow up: staff said some public comments requested more granular prioritization and more detailed breakdowns of transit versus road needs; the team plans to incorporate additional data sources and the results of related state reports into the 2030 update.","The California Transportation Commission on Thursday adopted the 2025 State and Local Transportation System Needs Assessment, which estimates $756.8 billion in 10‑year needs and a $215.7 billion shortfall under current revenue assumptions.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6236217,"Caltrans outlines portfolio 'rightsizing' and risk controls after delivery pressure in FY24–25",533,14532000,15065000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3376209-88aac1c15f23278934648ff389434fb6&start=14532&end=15065","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3376209-88aac1c15f23278934648ff389434fb6/thumbnail_14532000.jpg","/articles/6236217/California/Caltrans-outlines-portfolio-rightsizing-and-risk-controls-after-delivery-pressure-in-FY2425","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236217-1476e9a9e89f530ae28144a04c49b37b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035531&Signature=Cx2y5-TCn7S2EVoL9Cenbi9QQw6YJ91QVwnKQWYXRmhcq1RztyBpNN4TBuimKgtESzbyIdHLGhsbwq25nYARQe-TR2tryICgtawtX575eUqKETV5SrdraztJor2nyC3p2kY1ab3E1cD-eawYLzJvGGztHdCkdWj~p7PoNLQZ7I0kwMRUBs1Mm8RvORgKsFOj360UApgR6ivHvNE5jzuTHnir3OAb1LRtz~BRU1eu6~v3H2wuiH42mCspBg7HNOh2OfJ5HXKl7QHweDI7FiRZy7bI5SHTMkKBAJLQ2JSIF82s8fIlrVo3VkUNqyobpzj3Hx0c~C3RYVD2icwgPACAiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Caltrans briefed the California Transportation Commission on delivery performance, risks and program adjustments for fiscal 2024–25, describing a portfolio “rightsizing” effort to manage schedule and cost uncertainty.

Sujaya Kalainesen, acting division chief for project management, told commissioners the department planned 250 project deliveries for the year and had completed 93 by the April update, with another 109 still active. She said 48 projects were pushed into future years because of high schedule risk, and some projects will require commission approval for allocation time extensions.

Kalainesen explained the causes: escalating project complexity and size, longer permitting timelines, utility relocations, right‑of‑way appraisal shortages and emergency work demands that diverted resources. She said average project size in the portfolio increased from approximately $10 million to about $22 million, and Caltrans has delivered roughly $700 million more through the first three quarters compared with recent years.

The department described a set of mitigation measures: increased training for new project staff, recurring best‑practice workshops, earlier and more structured permit agency engagement (including an interagency permitting task force under Assembly Bill 1282), greater use of concurrent processes where legally possible, more purposeful grouping of appraisal work and use of outside appraisers to supplement capacity.

Caltrans also said it will push more timely programming changes and time‑extension requests to the commission when schedule risk is confirmed; in some cases the department will reprogram projects into later years when delivery windows cannot be met.

Commissioners asked for continued tracking of outcomes and data to measure whether the new practices reduce slippage; Caltrans said it will expand risk tracking, monitor delivery results and provide updates on the efficacy of the mitigations. The item was informational and no formal action was taken.","Caltrans told the California Transportation Commission it delivered more work this year than in recent years but faced schedule, permitting and utility delays that forced reprogramming and time‑extension requests. Acting division chief Sujaya Kalainesen said a portfolio 'rightsizing' effort reallocates projects across current and future fiscal",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6236228,"Caltrain electrification boosts ridership but agency warns of a $75 million operating gap",963,11496000,12459000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3376209-88aac1c15f23278934648ff389434fb6&start=11496&end=12459","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3376209-88aac1c15f23278934648ff389434fb6/thumbnail_11496000.jpg","/articles/6236228/California/Caltrain-electrification-boosts-ridership-but-agency-warns-of-a-75-million-operating-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236228-be250397cb3c76a2ad84b02789e35db6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035531&Signature=SSfwotnT3OOnQRBn1qBryJeYARv~EKPYmb-0ykyk9Rxkru~xJwg0Qlt~fFjWgF8U1mHyyIp9yeaRimX7dsyxgTr5uO29Ez2np9QTcn~yBm35vZaWLzzOAX5O31C1QXVj0DBCPrFonsm2LNgICTXTovWBbBThqGllWHq7Sl-JZ4qXW~~WqHct1Sqp19uTGNGgOi5rCoUNIeChqOeiFIUAIjLnpPjllepPho8rq4DvTtbDO6t~i-E0Z4PyU4KEdCGIKbq6II4~exbvc63jdn387ShYdGCA0pyomdlcxFtzhEDc~mzcn0t0~NVOt72cRtF-IPFuh059UevxJLvJ7SOP8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Caltrain’s electrification and service increases have produced sustained ridership gains, but the rail operator told the California Transportation Commission that operating revenues remain insufficient to cover long‑term costs.

Michelle Bouchard, executive director of the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain), told commissioners the agency has “almost reached the million‑rider mark every single month” after launching electrified trains and moving to half‑hour service on many off‑peak runs. She said the railroad’s customer experience improvements—Wi‑Fi, power outlets, and faster service—have driven growth, especially on off‑peak and weekend trips.

But Bouchard said the agency projects an average annual operating shortfall of about $75 million over the coming decade under current funding assumptions. Caltrain historically relied on fares for a large share of operating costs; the pandemic lowered farebox recovery and pushed transit systems to seek new revenue sources.

Caltrain described several strategies to stabilize finances: local and regional funding partnerships, fare policy changes, commercialization of non‑fare assets (real estate, fiber, energy storage), and cost containment tied to operational efficiencies from electrification. Bouchard said those revenue diversification efforts will not eliminate the shortfall by themselves and that regional contributions will likely be needed to maintain frequent service.

On safety and capital work, Caltrain highlighted its grade‑crossing program and a pilot use of an AI‑based sensor system to detect risky vehicle behavior and target low‑cost countermeasures. Bouchard said targeted installations of bollards and markers have eliminated dangerous incidents at pilot crossings and that full grade separation remains expensive: “we are seeing pricing coming in at, you know, just sub $500 million” for large separations, requiring careful assessment of constructability and funding.

Commissioners praised the electrification project and the agency’s outreach. Past Chair Gardino, who took the morning tour, called Caltrain’s upgrades “a great investment” and said the corridor’s performance and development around stations were visible results of the investment.

Caltrain reported an 82% favorability rating in recent polling of riders and residents along the corridor, a metric the agency said it hopes to leverage if regional funding measures are pursued.

No formal commission action was required; the item was informational. Caltrain told the commission it will continue to pursue regional partnerships, revenue diversification and community outreach to support operations and future capital work.","Caltrain’s electrification and increased off‑peak service have drawn riders back to the corridor, but the Peninsula Rail Joint Powers Board says long‑term operating revenue remains inadequate. Executive Director Michelle Bouchard told the California Transportation Commission that Caltrain faces a projected average annual deficit of roughly $75","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

MTC vice chair outlines Plan Bay Area goals, warns transit operators face steep operating shortfalls

California Transportation Commission adopts 2025 statewide needs assessment, flags $216 billion shortfall

Caltrans outlines portfolio 'rightsizing' and risk controls after delivery pressure in FY24–25

Caltrain electrification boosts ridership but agency warns of a $75 million operating gap