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SFMTA tells Planning Commission: ridership rising, $5 billion unfunded transit need remains
Summary
SFMTA staff told the Planning Commission that over half of city trips are now by transit, walking or biking; the agency outlined a $1.1 billion operating budget, a $3.4 billion five‑year capital program and roughly $5 billion in identified unfunded regional needs, and emphasized Vision Zero safety targets and transit expansion projects including the Central Subway.
SFMTA officials briefed the San Francisco Planning Commission on July 14 about service expansions, safety goals and funding needs as the agencies prepare for a joint hearing on long‑range planning.
Tom McGuire, director of SFMTA’s Sustainable Streets Division, said survey data show more than half of trips in San Francisco are now made by mass transit, walking, bicycling or shared transportation — a milestone toward the city’s longstanding Transit First policy. McGuire highlighted investments in Muni, noting roughly 200,000 additional bus service hours have been added since 2010 and describing the growth of the Muni Rapid Network.
McGuire also described Vision Zero, the city’s plan to eliminate traffic fatalities by 2024, and explained a strategy that targets roughly 13 miles of high‑injury streets per year for engineering, enforcement and education efforts.
Victoria Wise, SFMTA chief of staff for Sustainable Streets, presented budget figures: a proposed $1.1 billion operating budget (with about 28% from parking and fines, 25% general fund, 18% fare revenue) and a $3.4 billion capital improvement program over five years. Wise said about half of capital funds are expected from local sources and around 45% from federal sources, leaving an identified regional unfunded need of roughly $5 billion for projects such as Better Market Street and bus rapid transit priorities.
Commissioners pressed for context on how land‑use decisions affect mode share and asked for clearer mapping and program‑level analysis at the joint July 21 hearing. SFMTA staff said they will return with materials showing the mode‑share trend line, funding priorities and the link between transportation investments and projected land‑use changes.
Next steps: staff scheduled a joint planning commission / MTA board briefing on July 21 focused on ConnectSF and future investment priorities.
