The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency's (SFMTA) board approved a two-year budget for Fiscal Year 2015 and 2016, which will make a significant investment in the overall transportation network by increasing Muni service, making the city safer for people who walk; improving bicycle network connections; and bolstering the SFMTA’s goals to make every mode of transportation safe, accessible and affordable.

The budget provides for a continued two years of free transit service for low to moderate income youth, ages five to 17, made possible by a $6.8 million gift from Google, and also extends it to 18 year olds.

The budget also approves the elimination of the enforcement of parking meters on Sundays and funds a 3% transit service increase based on the “Muni Forward Rapid Network Improvement” recommendations during the first fiscal year.

“This budget responsibly addresses San Francisco’s current and future needs fairly and equitably, increases service reliability, and makes public transportation accessible and within reach for all who need it,” said Ed Reiskin, SFMTA director, transportation. “San Franciscans deserve an updated transportation system that they can rely on to get around and the passage of these budgets reflects our desire to make that happen.”

The budget also lays out plans to implement some or all of the following programs or services, contingent upon the SFMTA board’s determination of the agency’s fiscal health in January 2015: Funding a 7% increase in transit services in FY 2016; providing free Muni for low- and moderate-income seniors and disabled riders who use a Clipper card as a pilot program for FY 2015 and FY 2016 effective June 1, 2015; allocating additional funding in the amount of $0.6 million in FY 2015 and $1.2 million for FY 2016 from discretionary operating funds for transit vehicle fleet cleaning and appearance; and eliminating all service transaction fees effective April 1, 2015.