#service-cuts

#service-cuts

Without this bridge funding, BART, Muni, and other Bay Area transit systems will be forced to cut service starting this year or early next year, a disaster scenario illustrated by yesterday's BART technical outage that left major roadways throughout the Bay Area clogged with traffic throughout most of the day,

With just days remaining until the end of the legislative session, the Governor's Department of Finance informed lawmakers it will not be finalizing a critical bridge loan to prevent serious service cuts to BART, Muni, AC Transit, and other Bay Area public transit operators next year. Not authorizing the loan now could lead to quick service cuts by major Bay Area transit systems. Senators Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Jesse Arreguin (D-Oakland) have been working for months to try to finalize loan terms.

A staff report for Tuesday's City Council agenda cites several challenges, including legal payouts related to a notorious alleged sexual abuser who worked for the city. The city has paid out more than $229 million in settlements relating to sexual abuse by Eric Uller, a former Santa Monica police dispatcher. The city faces additional abuse claims from over 180 claimants, according to the report.

Thanks to the hard work of advocates, a $750 million loan was put into the state budget so that Muni, BART, Caltrain, and AC Transit can continue to fund operations. The idea is to give these agencies a way to bridge their funding shortfalls until a regional measure can go before the voters next year. However, now that loan is in jeopardy.

"SEPTA is entering a new phase of growth and accountability - one that places a renewed focus on teamwork, communication, and service delivery."

I'm trying to build as much financial flexibility today as we possibly can, because tomorrow you'll have less, (and) the day after less.