May 20, 2025
City Council
DATE: May 20, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Councilmember Sue Wilson
Mayor Eduardo Martinez (co-sponsor)
Subject:
Strong State Government Support for Local Public
Transportation Services
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The is no financial impact for adopting this resolution.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Encouraging state legislators to take strong action to
protect and improve public transportation services in
Richmond and regionwide.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution calling on state legislators to
improve regional public transit by adopting legislation and appropriating budget to: (1) provide enough funding to
preserve and increase public transit service levels across the region and distribute the funds equitably, (2) fund measures primarily with progressive sources rather than a sales tax, and (3) prioritize funding for transit
operations that do not increase carbon emissions -
Councilmember Sue Wilson (510-609-2111)/Mayor
Eduardo Martinez (510-620-6503).
AGENDA
REPORT
May 20, 2025
DISCUSSION:
The residents and economy of the City of Richmond depend on public transit, particularly AC Transit and BART. Reliable transit is essential for linking affordable housing to workplaces and schools. Reduced transit service also threatens progress toward lowering greenhouse gas emissions, while worsening traffic congestion and adding financial strain to all households.
For decades, California has underfunded transit operations compared to other states. In 2019, Bay Area transit agencies received less than 16 percent of operating funds from the state, while agencies in Chicago, New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia received between 21 percent and 50 percent. As a result of underfunding, BART faces a $385 million budget shortfall, and AC Transit faces a $60 million annual deficit, both of which could result in drastic service cuts and layoffs by 2027.
In addition, public transit service to Richmond is at risk due to the expiration of federal operating funds, which could lead to service cuts and fare increases.
Senate Bill (SB) 63 (Wiener, Arreguin), has been introduced in the California State Legislature to authorize a multi-county transit ballot measure to secure necessary funding and avoid service cuts. In order to protect services SB 63 must be signed into law this year, with a measure brought before voters no later than November 2026.
By passing this resolution, the City of Richmond will encourage our state representatives to pass a version of the regional transit funding bill that improves transit service, distributes funds equitably, relies primarily on progressive revenue sources (not sales tax), and avoids increasing carbon emissions. Additionally, with this resolution the City is calling on state leaders to approve significant, sustainable increases in state funding for transit operations and consider other bills supportive of public transportation.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution for Transit Funding