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SolTrans approves FY26–27 budget and performance goals; staff warns Clipper revenue gaps hard to quantify
Summary
The board unanimously approved FY26–27 operating and capital budgets and performance goals after staff described small operating changes and added capital contingencies; in separate discussion staff said earlier Clipper/Clipper2 tap issues are difficult to quantify and no successful claims to MTC have been filed.
SolTrans approved its proposed FY26–27 performance goals and operating/capital budget after staff incorporated PAC feedback and a clarified on-time definition. Christina told the board that marketing and branding spending is projected at about $225,000 (under 1% of the budget) and that staff added $50,000 for facility improvements and rolled over an electrification project with no new funds. A modest $30,000 operating increase will replace the county phone system that would otherwise be unsupported.
Board members asked about thresholds for staff authority on contract amendments and whether staff can shift funds within capital categories; Christina reiterated that contracts above $100,000 require board approval and that significant change orders on construction projects (over 10%) are returned to the board.
In an earlier discussion, board members pressed staff on Clipper/Clipper 2 fare collection problems and whether SolTrans can quantify lost revenue. Christina and staff said backend programming errors at the vendor (Cubic) and unclear payment modes (cash, Token Transit, Clipper) make it impossible to compute exact losses; staff said they have inferred potential revenue shortfalls but lack sufficient proof to submit a claim to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). An MTC representative said no agency had submitted a quantified reimbursement request to date and that agencies would need to draft letter evidence and numbers for MTC to consider. Board asked staff to monitor Q4 data and report back.
The board adopted the performance goals and budget unanimously and directed staff to return with requested clarifying cost breakdowns for outreach and to monitor Clipper revenue data.
Next steps: Staff will return with marketing/advertising actuals and Q4 fare/revenue data to assess Clipper fixes and whether a claim is supportable.
