San Francisco’s Muni Transit Cuts Loom Amid $322 Million Budget Shortfall Prediction

San Francisco’s public transit faces further strain as the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) warns of potential Muni service cuts. With a projected budget shortfall of up to $322 million starting in fiscal year 2026, SFMTA outlined possible reductions at a recent Muni Funding Working Group meeting, as reported by the

San Francisco Examiner

.

Scheduled service changes on February 1 include shortening the 30 Stockton route to Union Square, converting two 1X California Express buses to morning-only 30X Stockton Express service, and making the 49 Van Ness-Mission a rapid line with limited stops on Mission Street. Additionally, midday cuts of 15% are planned for the 24 Divisadero, 38 Geary, and 43 Masonic lines, according to SFMTA Director of Transportation Jeffrey Tumlin, who stressed that these decisions aim to reflect city values.

SFMTA’s financial troubles have worsened after the defeat of Proposition L. As reported by

NBC Bay Area

, Proposition L could have generated $25 million annually for public transit from a tax on ride-hailing services. This loss of funding adds to the agency’s challenge of finding alternative revenue sources.

Public transit remains vital to San Francisco’s economy, with Chief Economist Ted Egan noting that the city’s recovery relies on accessible transit for work, shopping, and recreation. Egan cautioned that employers may avoid downtown San Francisco without robust transit, and increased road congestion could lead to higher carbon emissions.

SFMTA is pursuing additional funding options to mitigate the deficit, including a new merchandise campaign to avoid deeper cuts. While Muni ridership has rebounded post-pandemic, reaching over 520,000 weekday boardings in September and 92% of 2019 weekend levels, this recovery has yet to close the budget gap. SFMTA’s financial and operational strategies will remain a focal point in upcoming board meetings.

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