CA State Budget

With only a few weeks left to finalize a budget, transit agencies warn they may have to make deep service cuts as soon as this summer

Dear Honorable Members:

A new analysis of the costs of not helping public transportation agencies fill a $2.5 billion funding gap found that it would cost former riders twice that much - $5 billion - in annual car ownership costs alone.

The current e-bike incentive program is in the process of being set up, but it only has $10 million available, including administrative costs. That could provide between 3,000 and 7,000 vouchers - a drop in the bucket in a state as big as California.

Advocates ask people and organizations to sign on to a letter asking the legislature to support public transit in its hour of need

The Governor's proposals to shift money from transit and the Active Transportation Program are "reasonable," given budget constraints, says the LAO. But the legislature could do something different. Like make cuts to highways instead??

This seemingly sudden agreement on high-speed rail is a little anti-climactic, if welcome.

Since January, TransForm has been working with transit riders and advocacy groups across the state to meet with legislators and the governor’s office to express the urgent need for transit operations funding. Operations dollars support transit service, as well as operator salaries and fare reduction programs — the elements of frequent, reliable, and affordable transit. What’s more, agencies have already sounded the alarm that many are heading towards “fiscal cliffs,” massive budget shortfalls that could lead to service cuts, stranded riders, and laid-off workers. But in our meetings, “the Gann Limit” is often referenced as a roadblock to funding transit operations in this year’s budget.

Newsom IS proposing $1 billion for the ATP, and releasing Prop 1A bonds for HSR