Senator Jesse Arreguín Applauds Signing of Bill to Provide Critical Funding to Bay Area Transit Agencies

Colma, CA – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill to provide a $590 million loan to Bay Area public transit agencies in order to avoid drastic service cuts.  The state loan will be a critical lifeline for millions of Californians and for the region’s economy. The Governor was flanked by Senator Jesse Arreguín and other legislators along with transit operators and labor leaders at the BART maintenance yard next to the Colma BART station. 

“This is a major victory for our region’s transit operators, workers, and the communities that depend on public transit to get to work and school,” said State Senator Jesse Arreguín. “I want to thank the Governor, my colleagues in the Legislature, and the many advocates who supported this effort to ensure the Bay Area can continue to be an economic engine to the state, while also advancing our efforts to fight climate change.”

Earlier this year, Senator Arreguín led a letter in partnership with many members of the Bay Area Legislative Caucus in support of advancing a state loan to Bay Area transit operators as approved by the 2025-2026 State Budget. Most recently, the dire situation of Bay Area transit operators came to light as BART held a public hearing showing that it may have to close 10-15 stations, increase fares, and reduce service in 2027 if it is unable to fund operations. In a worst-case scenario, BART would shut down service entirely. 

Last year, Senator Arreguin championed a budget proposal for $2 billion in statewide funding for transit operations. Recognizing the immediate needs of the Bay Area, the Legislature approved a commitment for an emergency loan for Bay Area transit agencies in the budget, and after extensive negotiations landed on the bill signed today. 

In addition to the state loan, Bay Area voters in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties are expected to vote on a regional self-help sales tax measure in the November 2026 election to increase funding for transit operators with strong financial oversight and accountability requirements to improve transparency and reliability.

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