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Operators warn of looming fiscal cliffs and service cuts; cite safety, fleet and capital obstacles
Summary
Representatives from San Francisco Muni, LA Metro and Santa Cruz Metro told senators that SB125 funds staved off near‑term collapse but that expiring relief, reduced fare revenue and transition costs to zero‑emission fleets will bring major deficits unless more predictable funding is found.
Representatives from three major operators described how one‑time federal and state relief helped stabilize service after the pandemic, but warned of significant operating deficits when those funds end.
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency: Julie Kirschbaum, acting director of SFMTA, said Muni's weekday ridership recovery was roughly 78% of pre‑pandemic levels overall and over 90% on weekends, but that downtown trips remain low. She gave specific fiscal numbers: she said Muni faces a fiscal cliff she quantified as roughly $322 million starting in the summer of 2026 and that parking revenue at one large garage fell from about $25 million per year historically to a forecast of $9 million this year. Kirschbaum said the agency has cut routes (from 91 to 73), frozen hiring and raised fares and parking fees but still projects a roughly $50 million…
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