San Francisco transit officials are asking riders and residents to weigh in as they prepare a new two-year budget amid what they describe as the most serious financial crisis the city’s public transit has ever faced.
Officials from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency said in a statement Monday that they are working to cut costs and operate more efficiently to protect essential Muni services. Even so, officials warned that without new funding, the city could see major cuts to transit and other transportation services.
The agency is inviting the public to take a short online survey to share which transportation services they believe are most important to keep. Officials said the feedback will help guide decisions for the fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28.
SFMTA also encouraged residents to learn more about the budget process through its website and blog and to attend upcoming SFMTA Board meetings focused on budget topics. Information on how to participate is available on the agency’s meetings webpage.
Transportation officials said public input is critical to making sure limited resources reflect community priorities as the budget process moves forward.
SFMTA had reported that weekday ridership in May reached about 79% of pre-pandemic levels, the highest since March 2020. But transportation officials have said the city’s public transit faces a projected $320 million budget deficit beginning in July 2026 as revenue sources tied to the pandemic continue to lag. Without new long-term funding, the agency estimates service could be reduced by as much as one-third, even as ridership continues to climb.