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SF Transportation Authority reports $39.8M FTA award, $45M state grant for Treasure Island and regional fare upgrades
Summary
Executive Director Tilly Chang reported a $39.8 million FTA low-no grant for 24 hybrid buses for SFMTA, a $45 million Strategic Growth Council award for Treasure Island housing and transport improvements, the CLIPPR 2 fare upgrade rollout, DMV AV regulation updates, and local EV charger investments by the Air District.
Executive Director Tilly Chang told the Transportation Authority on Dec. 16 that the city received two major awards and several regional transportation updates.
Chang said the Federal Transit Administration's Low-No program awarded SFMTA roughly $39.8 million to procure 24 diesel-hybrid electric buses that will replace aging vehicles; combined with the 94 hybrid buses supported by Prop L funds, Chang said those vehicles are expected to be in service by 2028.
On state funding, Chang announced a $45,000,000 award from the Strategic Growth Council's Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program for Treasure Island development. Chang described portions of the award as including $35,000,000 for affordable housing construction, $10,900,000 for transportation improvements (bus shelters, bicycle paths, sidewalks, and completion of the northern segment of a multi-use path), and operating funds intended for future electric ferry service to be operated by Bay Ferry.
Chang also summarized regulatory and regional developments: the California Department of Motor Vehicles released revised autonomous-vehicle regulations; the Authority and partner agencies will submit comments urging stronger safety performance standards, data transparency and remote-operations requirements. Chang referenced two local AV incidents (a vehicle reportedly struck and killed a dog at Scott and Eddy streets and an earlier Waymo incident involving a cat) and noted Waymo has DMV approval to operate across the Bay Area while Zoox has started free robo-taxi service in parts of SoMa, the Mission and the Design District.
Chang congratulated regional partners on the CLIPPR 2 rollout at Embarcadero Muni/BART and said the upgrade adds tap-and-ride features, discounted transfers up to $2.85, family accounts and contactless payment options intended to modernize regional fare payment across multiple operators.
She also highlighted Bay Area Air Quality Management District funding for EV charging, noting awards include 11 San Francisco projects with more than 140 chargers and proposed curbside chargers in Japantown, Richmond and the Sunset that still require city permits.
In project-delivery updates, Chang said Public Works substantially completed the Delong Street pavement renovation (funded with $350,000 in sales tax funds) and the Minnesota Streetscape project (23rd to 25th Street) completed with $400,000 from the voter-approved half-cent sales tax program. She said the I-280 northbound Geneva off-ramp study received an award from the American Council of Engineering Companies.
Chang closed by thanking staff, partner agencies and community members and wishing everyone a relaxing holiday season.
Next steps: Chang said the Authority will continue to monitor regulatory developments and return to associated governing bodies as appropriate; staff will apprise the board of parcel tax framework developments and other implementation timelines.
