Signature gathering begins in Oakland for multi-billion-dollar transit measure

"The Connect Bay Area Act, authored by State Senators Scott Weiner of San Francisco and Jesse Arreguin of Oakland and passed by the legislature last year, created the framework for a measure that will qualify for the November ballot - if volunteers gather 186,000 signatures from registered voters by June 6. If the ballot measure passes, it would add a half-cent sales tax in Alameda County for 14 years."

"AC Transit, for one, reduced service due to budget constraints and is currently operating at around 85% of its prepandemic levels. BART officials have warned that the system could close lines or stations for the same reasons. Rebecca Mirvish, a Berkeley transportation advocate, said at the launch event that Caltrain in the South Bay could reduce service to one train per hour and lose weekend service entirely, and that AC Transit could see service cut by 37%."

Dozens of volunteers launched a regional signature drive in Oakland to qualify a November ballot measure that could generate up to $1 billion annually for Bay Area transportation. The Connect Bay Area Act established the framework and requires 186,000 signatures from registered voters by June 6 to qualify. If approved, Alameda County would add a half-cent sales tax for 14 years. A regional advocacy partnership organized kickoff events across Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties. Major transit operators face pandemic-related budget shortfalls; AC Transit operates at about 85% of prepandemic levels and BART has warned of potential closures. Caltrain service could drop to one train per hour with no weekend service, and AC Transit could face a 37% reduction.

Read at The Oaklandside