Regional Transit Ballot Measure FAQs

Transform and our partners in the Connect the Bay coalition are working to put a citizen-led measure on the November ballot to fund public transit. In our FAQs, we break down what the measure does, where the money will come from, why it’s critical to Bay Area transportation, and what you can do to help.

What Is the Connect the Bay ballot measure? 

Connect the Bay provides a stable funding source for transit agencies operating in five Bay Area counties. These funds will allow transit agencies to maintain their current level of operations or improve them, providing reliable, sustainable transportation for millions of people.

Why does transit need extra funding?

During the pandemic, transit ridership plummeted as nonessential workers stayed home. As businesses slowly returned to normal, ridership has increased, but so have costs. While federal and state one-time funds kept transit operating, those funds have now run out, leaving many transit services facing a fiscal cliff.

What is a fiscal cliff?

A fiscal cliff is a point of no return, where a transit provider is forced to drastically reduce service because of a funding shortfall. At that point, transit services can go into a death spiral. With longer waits between buses or trains, transit becomes less reliable and less convenient. Riders are forced to find other means of getting to work, school, and other destinations, and declining ridership further reduces revenue. This starts a negative feedback loop that, in the worst situation, can close down an entire transit service.

I don’t take public transit. Why should I support Connect the Bay?

Bay Area traffic is already back to pre-pandemic levels. Without transit, it would be gridlock 24/7. Nearly 1 million people ride transit every day in the Bay Area. Imagine adding a million cars to our roadways every day. Frequent, reliable, appealing transit serves the interests of drivers too.

In addition, robust public transit is an equity, climate, and affordability issue. People who can’t drive, either because of age or ability, rely on transit to maintain autonomy and mobility. Owning and maintaining a personal vehicle is expensive; public transit provides an affordable option for low-income families. Transit-dependent riders are lower-income and more diverse than the general population. Finally, trains and buses have a much smaller carbon footprint than individual cars, even electric vehicles. Supporting transit is a pro-climate position.

What parts of the Bay Area will be affected by the measure?

Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties are participating in the regional transit funding measure.

Which transit agencies will receive funding from this measure?

The funding from the measure will go to support operations at BART, Muni, Caltrain, AC Transit, SF Bay Ferry, TriValley Wheels, County Connect, Tri Delta Transit, Union City Transit, Westcat, and VTA.

How does Connect the Bay raise funds for transit?

The ballot measure asks voters to approve a half-cent sales tax in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties and a 1-cent sales tax in San Francisco County. The tax sunsets after 14 years.

What’s the difference between a citizen-led ballot measure and one placed on the ballot by other means? 

The ballot measure language comes from SB 63, a bill passed by the legislature in 2025. The bill gives the Metropolitan Transportation Commission the power to create a taxable district for the five-county measure. However, if MTC were to put the measure on the ballot, it would need a two-thirds majority to pass. In recent years, many funding measures have fallen just short of that supermajority.

When an initiative comes to the ballot through the signature-gathering process, it needs 50% + 1 to pass. By making the regional transportation ballot measure a citizen-led measure, we increase the chance of passage.

How many signatures do we need to collect to qualify for the ballot?

We need to collect over 200,000 verified signatures across the five participating counties. In reality, this means gathering significantly more to ensure we have enough valid signatures.

What’s the deadline for collecting signatures?

We must finish collecting signatures by mid-May.

Who’s behind this measure?

Connect the Bay is supported by labor unions, environmental groups, transit advocates, bicycle coalitions, businesses, and elected officials. A list of individuals and organizations endorsing the measure is at https://connectbayarea.com/endorsements.

If I add my name in support of the regional transit measure, do I have to vote for it?

No. If you’re approached by someone gathering signatures for the regional transportation ballot measure, your signature will only help it get on the ballot so voters can decide. You are free to vote however you choose in November.

What happens if you don’t collect enough signatures in time?

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission and transit agencies could use reserve and other flexible funds to reduce the impact, but it would not be sufficient to stop massive service cuts. Muni would be forced to cut over 20 lines, and BART could go down to one train an hour. 

What can transit supporters do to help?

There are many ways you can get involved, including gathering signatures. Fill out this form to stay updated on the latest developments and find opportunities to volunteer. Go to connectbayarea.com to learn more.