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SFMTA seeks more Muni service, adds crossing‑guard funding and faces renewed calls to help taxi medallion holders
Summary
SFMTA proposed modest operating increases to expand service, add transit vehicles and fund 20 additional school crossing guards, while supervisors urged more aggressive support for taxi medallion owners facing financial distress from the rise of TNCs.
SAN FRANCISCO — The Municipal Transportation Agency presented a two‑year operating and capital budget on May 1 aimed at expanding Muni service and addressing safety and equity goals, but supervisors pressed agency leaders on crossing guards and possible relief for taxi medallion owners.
Director Ed Ryskin told the committee the agency proposes a roughly $1.2 billion annual operating budget and a $2.8 billion five‑year capital program to support more light‑rail vehicles, bus fleet growth and central subway operations. "These are strong budgets that help us advance the city's goals with respect to transit‑first, safety and Vision Zero," Ryskin said.
A prominent feature of the MTA submission is a proposal to fund 20 additional school crossing guard positions, which Ryskin said would bring funded positions from about 195 to 215. "That would allow us to close the waiting list or the request list that's outstanding that we've not been able to fill," he said, explaining the recruitment and retention challenges for that workforce.
Supervisors repeatedly pressed for assurances banded to Vision Zero and asked whether the positions would be sufficient; several urged flexibility to redeploy crossing guards to senior sites and commercial corridors to address broader pedestrian safety concerns.
The taxi industry issue figured prominently in committee discussion and public comment. Supervisors noted the medallion market has collapsed for many longtime drivers who bought medallions for sums they cannot now recover; public commenters and the Taxi Workers Alliance urged the city and MTA to identify funding or refinancing options to ease drivers' burdens. The MTA said it had commissioned a report and plans further hearings on medallion relief.
Ryskin also described fare‑product adjustments to encourage ridership and referenced a $27 million operating risk tied to the potential repeal of SB‑1, state gas tax revenues used for transit and street maintenance.
No votes were taken; the committee asked the MTA to return with details on crossing‑guard staffing plans, medallion policy options and FTE changes tied to service expansion.
