SACRAMENTO, CA – In a significant development for public transportation across California, three pivotal pieces of legislation sponsored by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) successfully cleared major hurdles in the State Assembly this week.
The bills, SB 63, SB 71, and SB 445, aim to enhance the operational stability, speed up project execution, and reform environmental reviews for transit agencies as well as large-scale sustainable transportation projects.
Notably, SB 63, dubbed the Connect Bay Area Act, received robust backing during a 4-1 vote in the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee. This legislation paves the way for introducing a regional funding ballot measure designed to stabilize transit systems in the Bay Area, preventing severe service cuts. Following this approval, SB 63 is moving on to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
In the meantime, SB 71 garnered unanimous support with an 8-0 vote from the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. This bill extends an existing exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for sustainable transit projects, originally established in 2020. The extension aims to amplify efforts that have already seen nearly 100 projects expedited statewide. If passed, SB 71 will prolong this exemption until 2040 and broaden its scope to include additional infrastructure necessities like bus shelters, ferry facilities, and lighting.
Moreover, SB 445, which gained a favorable 9-1 vote in the Assembly Transportation Committee, tackles the challenges of lengthy third-party permitting processes affecting monumental infrastructure projects, such as the High-Speed Rail. This bill mandates the California High-Speed Rail Authority to develop standardized regulatory benchmarks for receiving permits from local agencies and utility providers. The next step for SB 445 includes hearings before the Assembly Utilities & Energy and Local Government Committees.
Senator Wiener highlighted the critical importance of public transportation, emphasizing its essential role in California’s economy, environmental sustainability, and social equity. He stated, “Reliable, affordable, safe public transit is vital for a sustainable and prosperous future for California.”
Senator Wiener further underlined the urgency of the situation by noting that without new funding sources, Bay Area transit agencies are on the verge of implementing devastating service reductions as existing emergency funding expires. BART, for example, could cut services by up to 85%, limiting train operation to once an hour and eliminating all weekend services. Similarly, MUNI might face a drastic 50% reduction, including the eradication of fare subsidies for low-income riders and the suspension of evening routes. Caltrain and AC Transit are also at risk of facing significant service reductions.
The potential fallout from these cuts could exacerbate traffic congestion, elevate emissions, and leave thousands of residents without adequate transportation options. The repercussions are particularly dire for students reliant on MUNI for their daily commutes, with about 13,000 students in San Francisco potentially losing essential access to their schools. Commute times between the East Bay and San Francisco could see incremental increases of up to 10 hours weekly, contributing to potential spikes in congestion on the Bay Bridge by as much as 72%.
Historically, public transportation in the Bay Area has been underfunded compared to other regions, a situation further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic impact on agency budgets. In response to this funding crisis, Senator Wiener was instrumental in securing $1.1 billion in emergency state funding earlier this year to prevent significant service reductions, although this financial lifeline is expected to run out by mid-2026. Moreover, Senator Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley), a co-author of SB 63, is currently leading efforts to secure an additional $2 billion in bridge funding as part of the state budget.
Despite these financial challenges, transit agencies have made strides in service delivery. Notably, crime on BART has decreased by 17% year-over-year, and MUNI has recently received its highest rider satisfaction ratings in two decades after successfully reducing service delays.
Focusing on funding mechanisms, SB 63 proposes a regional sales tax to be set at a default half-cent rate for San Francisco, Contra Costa, and Alameda Counties to sustain transit operations. Meanwhile, San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties have until August 11, 2025, to opt into this funding initiative. San Francisco is also allowed to select a one-cent rate to further bolster MUNI operations. Finalized rates and spending plans must be negotiated by July 31, 2025.
Furthermore, SB 71 is backed by prominent organizations including the California Transit Association, SPUR, the Bay Area Council, and LA Metro. This bill builds on the successes of its predecessor, SB 288, by prolonging the CEQA exemption that enabled a multitude of transit projects to advance swiftly and cost-effectively while also encompassing infrastructure maintenance and additional amenities crucial for enhancing the rider experience.
Lastly, SB 445 addresses significant frustrations experienced in large transit initiatives due to permitting delays. Major projects, such as High-Speed Rail, frequently necessitate approvals from various third-party entities, leading to delays and additional costs. By empowering the High-Speed Rail Authority to establish uniform permitting regulations, SB 445 seeks to lessen project delays, promoting efficiency and keeping timelines on track. This measure is also sponsored by Streets For All.
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