Bridging Our Budget Gap to Save Muni

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San Francisco Runs on Muni

Muni is critical to San Francisco’s livability, vitality and economic recovery. Every day, we help more than 500,000 people get around San Francisco.

Unfortunately, the SFMTA now faces a budget deficit of $307 million that will grow to $430 million by 2030. This is largely due to the end of one-time pandemic relief funding from federal, state and regional sources.


Pie graph showing Muni's revenue breakdown

We will have to make significant cuts to Muni service and programs if we are unable to fill these gaps. This is the last thing we want for our riders.  

Muni bus and people downtown

Learn

The Risks to your Ride

We have already reduced what could have been a $440 million budget deficit to $307 million by finding ways to cut costs and be even more efficient. 


Two pie charts showing the difference in revenue following the pandemic

We continue this work every day. But it won't be enough to bridge the gap. Without new funding sources, we would have to make significant cuts to Muni. It could mean eliminating one-third of service.

  • Muni riders could see:
    A 50% reduction in service frequency, which means wait times will double at a minimum.
  • Late-night service reduced significantly.
  • Fare discount programs eliminated or reduced.

We know that cuts this drastic would affect the daily lives of thousands of people – seniors, students, workers and families who rely on Muni. That’s why we want to be transparent about the risks to your ride and the potential solutions we are considering.
 


OWL bus at night

Potential Solutions

In order to close our deficit, to maintain programs and grow Muni service in the future, our financial situation will require multiple sources of new funding. 


Three legged stool with a bus on top. Each leg is a way to balance the SFTMA's budget: Regional Measure, Local Measure and internal efficiencies

Continued cost-savings by the SFMTA and two new sources of funding would be used to balance the SFMTA’s budget. 

1. Our role: Continued cost-savings

At the SFMTA, we will continue to do everything we can to reduce costs and drive efficiencies. Here’s a snapshot of our progress:  

  • $120M/year personnel savings through a hiring freeze, consolidating functions and reducing management
  • $7M saved through summer 2025 service adjustments, but no route eliminations
  • $10M annual savings starting FY25 thanks to transit priority and reliability upgrades

2. Regional measure: Connect Bay Area Act

In November 2026, voters could have the opportunity to consider a sales tax increase to fund BART, Muni, Caltrain and other regional transit systems.

Formerly known as Senate Bill 63, this measure will raise around $1B annually for transit agencies in the region. Of this, Muni would receive about $155M every year.

3. Local measure

In November 2026, voters could also have the opportunity to consider a local parcel tax that would generate more funding for Muni.

We are working closely with city partners, community groups and other stakeholders to develop a measure that is fair, reasonable and sufficient. 

Further Information and Public Meetings

Here's how to stay informed and participate as we work to bridge our budget gap: