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SFMTA warns of growing budget gap; seeks mix of cuts and new revenue ahead of 2026 funding cliff
Summary
SFMTA Director Julie Kirschbaum told the SFCTA board Feb. 25 that one‑time federal and state aid is being spent down, leaving an estimated $50 million shortfall for FY2025–26 and a roughly $320 million structural gap beginning FY2026–27; the agency is weighing service cuts, tapping reserves and participation in a regional ballot measure.
Julie Kirschbaum, the newly appointed director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, told the San Francisco County Transportation Authority on Feb. 25 that Muni and the region face a funding cliff when one‑time federal and state relief dollars are exhausted.
“We are anticipating about a $50,000,000 need” for fiscal year 2025–26, Kirschbaum said, and “when the one‑time money is exhausted starting in summer of 2026, it’s about $320,000,000.”
Why this matters: Muni carries roughly half of Bay Area transit trips; shortfalls at Muni and other operators could translate into service cuts, fare or parking changes, or new taxes to sustain service levels.
Kirschbaum outlined a set of short‑ and longer‑term responses. In the near…
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