Name: Bay Area transit to get $975 million from new federal stimulus bill, but cuts still possible
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Bay Area transit to get $975 million from new federal stimulus bill, but cuts still possible

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The Bay Area’s transit agencies, hard hit by fare losses during the pandemic, are slated to receive $975 million in federal funds from the latest coronavirus relief bill, officials said Tuesday.Congress approved $14 billion for transit agencies nationwide, which the president still needs to sign into law. The nearly $1 billion amount will be allocated to Bay Area agencies, including BART and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, which runs Muni. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission will divide the funds between all agencies. It’s a complicated process that triggered discussions Monday and will take time to work out, although the coordinating agency is trying to get out money as soon as possible.“It’s complex and it’s going to be hard and we’re going to work with transit operators to try to come to a consensus about it,” said Randy Rentschler, legislative and public affairs director with the MTC. “We’re going to come back to different, we’re not going to come back to the same. This is not going to be easy and the stakes are high.”The MTC will take into account multiple factors to disperse the money, including how many riders an agency has, how much revenue operators have lost and who they’re serving to ensure equity. New federal funds come at a critical time. Bay Area transit agencies have already as ridership remains at an all-time low, and with the first round of stimulus funding earlier this year running out, some were already planning to cut jobs to make ends meet. New federal relief may avert layoffs for now, but doesn’t solve looming long-term financial issues, especially with predictions that riders may not return to public transit in full force for years.The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, which was planning to to reduce a budget shortfall, has called an emergency meeting for Wednesday to vote to reverse course. The agency still faces about a $37 million shortfall this fiscal year, and if bridge toll revenue doesn’t return or no more federal relief comes, more cuts may still be on the horizon.On Monday, the SFMTA said in a statement that it’s grateful for the funds, but still faces a financial crisis and will continue tapping into rainy day reserves to balance the budget.“A long-term sustainable funding source will be necessary to even maintain current service levels, consider restoration of critical service and provide the system that San Franciscans expect,” the agency said in an email to The Chronicle.The SFMTA, which faces at least a $68 million shortfall this fiscal year and $168 million next fiscal year, Nearly could be lost permanently unless the city finds a new revenue source.BART, facing a $33 million budget deficit this fiscal year and $177 million next fiscal year, has reduced hours and doubled wait times between trains. The agency was considering layoffs as a last-resort“We are grateful for the short term relief,” spokeswoman Alicia Trost said in a statement Tuesday. She said BART will work with MTC on a plan to allocate funds and use stimulus money to make up for lost fare revenue, support workers and keep trains running.Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Area’s largest water districts.“We will use the funds to help fill the immediate deficit while staff continues to work on the solution that will help with the expected longer term deficit caused by the pandemic,” Trost said.In April and June, from the CARES Act federal stimulus bill — about three times as much as they receive annually from the federal government. BART received the most — $377 million — followed by the SFMTA, which got $373.7 million; the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority pulled in $141.6 million; AC Transit snapped up $114.2 million; Caltrain got $64.6 million; and the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District received $51.6 million.Mallory Moench is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: Twitter:@mallorymoenchMore for youUpdated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Area’s largest water districts.

The Bay Area’s transit agencies, hard hit by fare losses during the pandemic, are slated to receive $975 million in federal funds from the latest coronavirus relief bill, officials said Tuesday.Congress approved $14 billion for transit agencies nationwide, which the president still needs to sign into law. The nearly $1 billion amount will be allocated to Bay Area agencies, including BART and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, which runs Muni. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission will divide the funds between all agencies. It’s a complicated process that triggered...

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Mallory Moench

Sarah Ravani

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Bay Area transit to get $975 million from new federal stimulus bill, but cuts still possible

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