The Bay Area's Transit Future Is on the November Ballot — And Employers Have a Role to Play
Article by Jawnt, Leader-Level Corporate Partner
Public transit is the backbone of how millions of people get to work, school, and everywhere in between. For TDM professionals, it's the foundation that makes our programs possible. Yet across the US, transit funding is under mounting pressure. Pandemic-era federal relief has run out, operating costs have climbed, fare revenue hasn't fully recovered, and agencies are scrambling to fill the gap.
The San Francisco Bay Area faces some of the most severe cuts yet proposed. In worst-case planning scenarios, BART has warned of closing 15 stations and losing 70% of its service hours. Muni has projected eliminating as many as 20 lines, including the iconic cable cars, and ending service each day at 9 PM. Other regional agencies will see similarly drastic cuts.
This November, Bay Area voters have a chance to protect their transit services by supporting the Connect Bay Area Transit Initiative. The measure would levy a 0.5 percent sales tax in core Bay Area counties and 1 percent in San Francisco over roughly 14 years, generating about $1 billion a year. San Francisco voters can also support the Stronger Muni For All measure, which would raise additional funds through a parcel-based tax. Advocates from across the political arena (business, labor, public safety) are stepping up to support these measures.
But ballot measures are only part of the picture. Employers have their own opportunity to step up. Employer-sponsored transit benefit programs put transit within reach for employees every day, and they build the ridership and political will that keeps transit funding debates like this one moving in the right direction. Every employee who commutes by transit because their employer makes it easy and affordable is a vote of confidence in the system, and a rider that agencies can point to when they ask voters and legislators to keep investing.
Transit agencies are making it easier than ever for employers to bring transit to their employees. There are subsidized pass programs like Clipper BayPass in the Bay Area that put an unlimited transit pass in the hands of every single employee. Additionally, the availability of contactless payments makes it even easier for employees to pay for individual trips with a commuter debit card such as the Jawnt Pass.
But they only work if employers actually sign up. If you work with employers in the Bay Area, or anywhere transit funding is strained, this is a moment to encourage them to take a look at what's available. Employers paying for their employees’ transit is one of the most direct, immediate ways that employers can help save transit — no ballot measure required.
As Bay Area voters weigh in this November, employers everywhere have their own chance to help save transit: one enrolled employee, one transit benefit program, at a time. If you’re interested in making it easier for your employees to take advantage of transit, then reach out to Jawnt.