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Transit systems warn of lingering pandemic deficits and funding needs for major events and capital projects
Summary
VTA, LA Metro and the California Transit Association told the Senate committee that ridership recovery is incomplete, capital program costs remain large and near‑term funding is needed to support operations and major upcoming events including the Super Bowl, FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.
Regional transit leaders told the Senate Transportation Committee that ridership has partially recovered but operators face substantial fiscal challenges and large capital programs that depend on continued state and federal support.
Beverly Greene, chief government affairs officer for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), told the committee VTA’s operating budget was about $604 million in 2024 and is projected to increase to $625 million in 2025. She said VTA operates 441 buses on more than 1,200 route miles and 98 light‑rail vehicles on roughly 42 miles of track; bus ridership was about 89% of pre‑pandemic weekday levels while…
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