The Board of Directors of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) approved the agency’s annual $1.2 billion two-year operating budget for fiscal years 2019 and 2020, which makes significant investments to enhance San Francisco mobility by adding more railcars, opening a new bus maintenance facility, and launching Central Subway service in 2019.

The capital budget continues to advance Vision Zero, the city’s effort to eliminate traffic fatalities, and Muni Forward, which was designed to address transit delays, improve reliability, and increase the safety and comfort of customers along Muni’s most popular routes

The operating budget outlines plans to expand Muni service by adding 68 new train cars, applying recommendations from the Muni Service Equity Strategy, and launching Central Subway service. Changes include:

• Increased service because of new train cars.

• Additional service based on Equity Strategy recommendations.

• Larger vehicles based on Equity Strategy recommendations.

• Increased service from Central Subway launch.

“This budget is a strong one, sustaining much of the work we are doing across the agency and recommending targeted enhancements, particularly in Muni service, as we welcome new railcars into service, a new bus maintenance facility into operation, and the startup of the Central Subway,” said Ed Reiskin, SFMTA Director of Transportation.

The operating budget also provides continued funding for free transit service for low-income youth, seniors, and disabled riders. It will also supports the opening of the Islais Creek bus maintenance yard, adds additional Muni/BART station homeless services, and provides relief to the taxi industry through targeted fee reductions, including a 50% reduction to the medallion renewal fee for Prop K medallion holders and a 50% reduction to the taxi stand application fee.

To further promote Muni ridership and incentivize pre-payment of fares, the Board voted to increase the single-ride cash fare differential (the difference between the cash price and the price paid using MuniMobile or a Clipper Card) to 50 cents. The agency will also adopt a new low-income single-ride fare to meet the needs of low-income riders and complement the Monthly Pass program; will implement a new Adult Day Pass to increase flexibility for regular customers and incentivize pre-payment; and authorize a 10% discount for bulk purchases.

Key components of two-year capital budget

The Capital Budget is the SFMTA’s two-year financial plan and consolidated capital program. It represents the first two years of the SFMTA’s Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

Projects funded through this two-year budget include infrastructure investments as well as various procurements and other one-time initiatives (plans, educational programs, etc.) to be implemented throughout the city.

The FY 2019-20 Capital Budget consists of $513.5 million in FY19 and $630.8 million in FY20. Funding commitments over the two years include:

• Street Safety Projects: $94.8 million.

• Traffic and parking improvements: $34.5 million.

• Transit Fleet Upgrades: $117.1 million.

• Transit infrastructure: $118.9 million.

• Transit expansion/optimization: $426 million.