State audit approved to review East Bay transit agencies— coordination, finances and ridership

The Joint Legislative Audit Committee approved an audit request from Senator Aisha Wahab to review six East Bay transit agencies in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, focusing on governance, route coordination, ridership shifts and financial conditions.

The committee voted to authorize an audit of AC Transit, County Connection, LAVTA (Tri-Valley), WestCAT, Union City Transit and Tri Delta Transit to determine how autonomous agencies plan routes and invest in projects that cross jurisdictional boundaries, whether duplicative services exist, how ridership and nonoperating revenue trends affect operations, and how the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) coordinates funding and planning.

Why it matters: Bay Area transit relies on a patchwork of local operators and regional agencies. Supporters argued that the audit will identify opportunities to improve transfers, fare integration, service coordination and financial stability — information that could inform future policy or regional ballot measures. Agency leaders and labor groups warned consolidation can reduce service or raise costs if not carefully managed.

What supporters said

Senator Wahab said the Bay Area has a fragmented transit landscape with 27 agencies across nine counties and asked the committee to focus first on agencies in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. "Many of these agencies are being created with no uniformity," she said, arguing an independent review would identify structural barriers to integration and whether ratepayers are being asked to shoulder long-term costs.

What agencies said

Representatives from the six agencies described the scope and scale of local services. Salvador Yamas, general manager and CEO of AC Transit, said the agency serves multiple counties and warned the region faces an "urgent and extreme fiscal cliff" as temporary federal and state relief winds down. Christy Wagoner of LAVTA (Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority) said consolidation could cut service in some areas and degrade paratransit without additional funding, noting agencies do not duplicate services in the areas they serve.

Several witnesses noted ongoing regional efforts: the Metropolitan Transportation Commission—s transit transformation action plan, work to integrate fare payment, and service-design coordination. MTC said it had no position on the audit but welcomed the opportunity to highlight coordination efforts.

State auditor—s scope and timing

State Auditor Grama Parks summarized nine objectives, including reviewing route coordination across service-area boundaries, pre- and post-COVID ridership trends, reserve levels and reliance on nonoperating revenues, and MTC—s role in funding and coordination. Parks estimated the audit would require approximately 4,000 hours of work.

Committee action

A motion to approve the East Bay transit audit carried on roll call. Committee members who spoke in favor referenced the need to identify efficiencies and to prepare for potential regional funding measures.

Ending note

Supporters of transit coordination said the audit can produce evidence-based recommendations for fare integration, schedule coordination and targeted consolidation where it improves rider experience without degrading local service. Labor and operator witnesses urged the committee to avoid assumptions that consolidation automatically yields savings and to account for workforce and service impacts in any future decisions.