Bay Area leaders unveil legislation to fund, consolidate public transit
Lawmakers from the San Francisco Bay Area announced they are developing new legislation to fast-track spending to reform and even consolidate the region's public transportation systems, which have struggled particularly since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
State Senators Scott Wiener, a Democrat from San Francisco, and Aisha Wahab, a Democrat from Silicon Valley, announced Monday they will introduce legislation to push for funding Bay Area public transportation while considering reforms to improve 27 different transit systems. Wiener chairs the Select Committee on Bay Area Public Transit and Wahab leads the California Senate Public Safety Committee.
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Senate Bill 1031, The Connect Bay Area Act, proposes authorizing a 2026 ballot measure to use at least $750 million each year to improve transit service and fund capital improvements on public transit, roads and electric vehicle infrastructure — leaving the revenue source as a regional decision.
The measure also looks to create a regional transit network manager and start an assessment of the benefits of potentially consolidating Bay Area transit agencies.
“We deserve better,” Wahab said. “We deserve a world-class transit system that sets the standard for safety, speed, efficiency, affordability and technological innovation, directly enhancing daily travel.”