Connect Bay Area Submits 305,895 Signatures for 0.5% Transit Tax Measure
Updated
Updated · The San Francisco Standard · May 26
Connect Bay Area Submits 305,895 Signatures for 0.5% Transit Tax Measure
7 articles · Updated · The San Francisco Standard · May 26
305,895 signatures were delivered to five Bay Area counties, far above the 186,000 valid signatures required to place the regional transit tax on the November ballot.
The measure would levy a 0.5% sales tax across Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties—1% in San Francisco—and raise nearly $1 billion a year for BART, Muni, Caltrain and other agencies.
BART faces a roughly $350 million operating deficit starting in July, Muni projects a $307 million shortfall, and Caltrain says it could shut down by 2029 without new revenue as weekday ridership remains below 2019 levels.
Without funding, BART has warned it could close up to 15 stations and cut service by as much as 70%, while Muni, Caltrain and AC Transit have outlined major reductions.
A November poll found 58% voter support, up from 47% two years earlier, though the measure still needs a majority and analysts see Contra Costa as the toughest county.
As remote work changes commuting, can a sales tax fix transit's core problems or just delay inevitable cuts?
With ridership low, is a new billion-dollar tax a necessary lifeline or a bailout for an inefficient system?
The $980 Million Question: Will the 2026 Connect Bay Area Sales Tax Save Bay Area Transit?
Overview
The Connect Bay Area sales tax measure, set for the November 2026 ballot, is a critical response to the region’s transit crisis. Driven by a strong grassroots campaign that collected far more signatures than expected, the measure aims to stabilize funding for agencies like BART and Muni, which have struggled as fare revenues remain low due to lasting changes in commuting patterns after the pandemic. With weekday ridership still far below pre-pandemic levels, the measure seeks to provide a reliable funding source to prevent service cuts and ensure the future of Bay Area public transportation.