Free Public Transit
Providing free public transportation across the San Francisco Bay Area would require replacing the fare revenues currently collected by the region's numerous transit agencies. The total annual fare revenue for major Bay Area transit agencies is $1.5 billion. Here's a breakdown:
Estimated Annual Fare Revenues by Agency
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit): Approximately $341 million in fare revenue, representing about 50% of its operating budget. Wikipedia
SFMTA (Muni): Approximately $154 million in fare revenue, accounting for around 17% of its operating budget.
AC Transit: Approximately $66.6 million in fare revenue, making up about 13% of its operating budget.
Caltrain: While specific fare revenue figures are not provided, Caltrain faces a projected budget deficit exceeding $600 million over the next decade, indicating significant reliance on fare revenue. SFGATE
SamTrans: With an operating budget of approximately $231.9 million, fare revenue constitutes a portion, though exact figures are not specified. SamTrans
Other Agencies: Including Golden Gate Transit, SF Bay Ferry, and various county transit systems, which collectively contribute to the remaining fare revenue.Seamless Bay Area