Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
On June 3rd, the SamTrans Board of Directors adopted the Connect Bay Area Local Investment Plan to guide how potential local funding would be invested should voters approve the measure this November. You can view the recorded June 3rd meeting here
(Board Item 10.d. begins at 2:34:20), and read additional details in our press release here and on our website here.
Local Investment Plan Framework
The Board-adopted Local Investment Plan framework organizes that potential funding into four categories over the life of the measure:
* 45% to prevent cuts to existing public transit services
* 30% to improve the rider experience and promote traffic reduction through reliable, efficient service, better bus stops and last mile service solutions
* 20% to expand affordable transit access for underserved communities, including the coast and vulnerable populations
* 5% to repair and maintain aging transit infrastructure, including bus stops and potholes on bus routes
The framework also commits SamTrans to strong financial transparency and accountability measures. SamTrans will prioritize cost containment, accountability and efficiency in operations; provide regular Board updates on Connect Bay Area spending; plan for long-range deficit recovery; evaluate new service based on performance; and prioritize early investments in near-term visible projects.
Next Steps
Over the next few months, our team will continue to process all relevant Local Investment Plan feedback. If the measure qualifies and passes, once funding is available, SamTrans staff will:
* Provide a list of currently unfunded quick-win capital and/or service projects for Board approval, coinciding with the SamTrans budget cycle
* Engage with city staff on top transit priorities, planned development, and equity priority areas to determine potential pilot concepts or other transit improvements in your communities
* Incorporate transit planning studies for east/west, coastal, and neighborhood coverage into our next system redesign so that study outcomes integrate into the entire network (kick-off in ~3 years)
Thank you again for your valuable feedback and participation in this process. We look forward to engaging on next steps.
Best,
Michaela
Michaela Wright Petrik (she/her)
Government & Community Affairs Officer
166 N. Rollins Road, Millbrae, CA 94030
Phone: 650-730-4951
Websites: SamTrans | TA
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________________________________
From: Michaela Petrik
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 11:23 AM
Subject: Follow-up: Connect Bay Area (SB 63) Local Investment Plan
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
Thank you for having SamTrans at your recent Council meeting to present information and seek feedback on development of the Connect Bay Area (SB 63) Local Investment Plan for San Mateo County. Your input helped shape the proposed Local Investment Plan framework and we appreciate your input throughout this process.
We are gathering technical information needed to respond to some of your questions raised during the process and will follow up as soon as it is available.
The SamTrans Board will consider adopting the proposed Local Investment Plan at its meeting on June 3, 2026 at 2:00 pm. Meeting details are available here and the agenda will be posted soon. In summary, the framework proposes 55% of local investment funds to expand, fix, and enhance public transit, and 45% to protect existing SamTrans service.
Local Investment Plan Outreach
SamTrans has concluded its outreach to help develop the Local Investment Plan for the estimated $50M annual return-to-source dollars, if the proposed 14-year regional sales tax measure qualifies for the ballot and is approved by voters in November.
Over the past several weeks, our team held 27 presentations with city councils and other groups, convened three meetings each for the Agency Advisory Group (e.g. city managers, public works directors, community development staff and transportation staff) and the Stakeholder Advisory Group (e.g. business, nonprofit, labor, special district and other community representatives) and received input from more than 1,800 survey respondents.
Additional Resources
As you recall, SB 63, the bill authorizing the Connect Bay Area measure, includes an expenditure plan that allocates specific percentages of the tax revenue generated from this measure in San Mateo County to BART (27%), Caltrain (24%), San Francisco Muni (7%), and MTC (5% to be used for rider-focused improvements). If the measure passes, 37% percent would be allocated to the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) to support local transit. The Local Investment Plan developed during this community outreach process directly informs the proposed framework that will guide the SamTrans Board’s programming of these funds, if the measure passes.
Uses of funds by BART, Muni and Caltrain would be subject to those systems’ respective boards and accountability and oversight requirements created within the SB 63 legislation. In response to questions raised at various city council meetings, we are sharing resources produced for those bodies:
* BART: BART is facing a financial deficit
* SFMTA: Muni and Street Safety Impacts without Necessary Funding
* Caltrain: Caltrain Budget Deficit
Additionally, here are resources to learn more about the accountability, oversight, and transparency requirements for BART, Caltrain, and Muni required by the SB 63 enabling legislation. You can find a helpful fact sheet from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission here and read the full SB 63 legislation text here.
Thank you again for your partnership and engagement throughout this process. It made an impact. If the Board adopts the proposed framework and the measure passes, SamTrans looks forward to collaborating with cities to prioritize specific projects and implement 55% of the return to sources funds to expand, fix, and enhance public transit for our riders.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or comments.
Thanks,
Michaela
Michaela Wright Petrik (she/her)
Government & Community Affairs Officer
166 N. Rollins Road, Millbrae, CA 94030
Phone: 650-730-4951
Websites: SamTrans | TA
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