Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
SamTrans outlines Connect Bay Area measure; Menlo Park residents urge prioritizing bus service
Summary
SamTrans presented the proposed Connect Bay Area measure (SB 63), a regional half‑cent sales tax proposal aimed at preventing cuts to major operators; SamTrans said roughly $50M/year could return to San Mateo County and asked for council feedback on local priorities; multiple residents urged prioritizing bus hours, shelters and equity.
Emily Beach of SamTrans briefed the City Council on the Connect Bay Area proposal, enacted in Sacramento as SB 63, which envisions a 14‑year half‑cent regional sales tax to shore up transit operator budgets. Beach said approximately $1 billion per year could be generated regionwide, with roughly 33% returned to local counties; in San Mateo County that could amount to about $50 million annually to be administered by the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans).
Beach framed the outreach as seeking community input for a local investment plan should the citizen initiative qualify for the ballot. "We're asking for input on how those local return‑to‑source funds could be spent here in San Mateo County," she said. Public commenters from Belhaven Empowered and Transit Justice groups urged preserving and expanding bus service hours, installing safer bus stops and prioritizing low‑income riders.
Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about which operators the measure supports (the 'big four' — Caltrain, Muni, BART and AC Transit — were cited), ballot timing, and how local priorities would be administered. Beach said the measure is still in the signature‑gathering phase and would require a simple majority to pass if qualified for the ballot.
Council did not take formal action on the presentation but encouraged staff and SamTrans to continue outreach and provide materials so Menlo Park can help amplify the survey and engagement opportunities.
