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SFMTA outlines three scenarios for $15M in summer service reductions; riders urge alternatives
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Summary
Staff proposed three 4% service-cut scenarios to close a $15 million FY25 gap: (1) trim routes with parallel service while keeping frequencies, (2) keep all stops but lower frequencies on rapid corridors, or (3) protect equity-designated lines and cut elsewhere. Dozens of public commenters and multiple board members urged staff to pursue non-service-cut options such as reserves, parking optimization, or new revenue sources.
SFMTA planning staff presented three scenarios on Feb. 4 for closing a projected $15 million shortfall in the second year of the agency's two-year operating budget, equivalent to roughly 4% of current service.
Sean Kennedy, chief planning and implementation officer, said the scenarios are designed to illustrate trade-offs and preserve agency values (equity, economic vitality and environmental stewardship) while maintaining trust with riders. The three buckets are:
- Preserve high-ridership corridors and cut routes with parallel service, maintaining frequencies on the busiest lines but eliminating some route coverage; - Keep all previously restored stops but reduce frequency on the city's most frequent rapid corridors (for example, the 5, 9 and 28 would drop in frequency); - Apply an equity lens to protect lines identified in the Muni Service Equity Strategy and focus cuts on routes outside those areas.
Kennedy said the agency seeks a 6-to-8-week public outreach window and expects to return with refined proposals in late March or early April so staff can build summer schedules if cuts are approved. Directors and staff stressed that schedule-building and operator hiring timelines create a narrow window for decisions.
Board members pushed for additional non-service-cut scenarios. Director Hemminger proposed two alternatives for public consideration: dipping into operating reserves to bridge the gap (he noted a ~ $140 million reserve where $15 million is about 10%) or identifying additional expenditure savings on the non-Muni side to avoid cutting rider service. Acting Director Julie Kirschbaum said staff would develop at least two alternatives that do not rely on service reductions and continue to vet expenditure savings and parking/fee optimizations.
The public comment period drew a line of speakers from neighborhood residents, transit advocates and older riders who said cuts would harm equity-reliant populations, seniors, people with disabilities and workers—and risk reversing ridership recovery. Speakers suggested alternatives including expanding parking enforcement hours, targeted revenue measures, private fundraising for symbolic assets (like cable cars), and taxing TNCs/robotaxi services. Several advocates urged clear impact analyses showing how specific cuts would affect access to hospitals, jobs and essential services.
Staff said they will provide outreach in multiple languages, target communities identified by their equity strategy, and run pop-up open houses at major transit stops. Directors asked staff to return with additional scenarios and more detailed impact and outreach plans before final action.
