SFMTA Balances $1.4B Budget on State Loan and Ballot Measures With No Service Cuts

The SFMTA Board of Directors spent the bulk of its April 7 meeting stress-testing a two-year spending plan that keeps every Muni route running, introduces daily fare capping, and phases in a new cable car pricing model — all while acknowledging the entire framework depends on voters approving two tax measures this November. In a separate unanimous vote, the board created San Francisco's first permanent curbside EV charging program at zero cost to the public.

• $1.4B operating budget maintains all Muni service with no cuts and no layoffs, bridged by a $200M state loan while two ballot measures head to voters

• $2.5B five-year capital plan puts 76% toward fixing aging infrastructure, including a $500M train control upgrade and Potrero Yard reconstruction

• Daily fare capping launches Jan. 1, 2027 — every rider's third trip is free — alongside Clipper 2.0 rollout

• Cable car fares move to a two-step model: $12 single ride plus a new $18 all-day Cable Car Plus pass with two free youth in year one; single ride eliminated in year two

• Curbside EV charging program approved 7-0, targeting 100 chargers by 2030 with private operators bearing all costs

• Youth advisory board pitches bus interlining concept it estimates could save $10M a year

• SFMTA's $300M+ in efficiency savings confirmed by regional consultant, strengthening the case for a new transit sales tax

The centerpiece of the April 7 meeting was a detailed walkthrough of how SFMTA plans to close a $307M structural deficit without touching service or staff — a claim that depends entirely on revenue the agency does not yet have.