SFMTA projects $430 million deficit by 2030, threatening 20 Muni routes | The Locally Times
The agency reports a $307 million deficit for fiscal year 2027, with plans to cut 20 routes and 60% of evening service.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) faces a $307 million deficit in fiscal year 2027, projected to reach $430 million by 2030. Budget documents indicate this shortfall threatens the operation of 20 Muni routes and 60% of evening service between 9 p.m. and midnight. ## The April 21 Vote On April 21, 2026, the SFMTA Board of Directors approved a two-year operating budget of $1.5 billion for fiscal year 2026-2027 and $1.6 billion for fiscal year 2027-2028. While this budget balances current obligations, agency planning documents state that the system requires new revenue to avoid service reductions in future years. ## Service Reductions The SFMTA identified 20 Muni routes for potential elimination, including neighborhood lines, hilltop routes, and downtown express services. The agency’s budget planning documents do not specify the criteria for selecting these routes. The proposal also includes the potential reduction or elimination of service on three cable car lines and the F Market & Wharves streetcar line, which operates streetcars along the waterfront. ## Resident Impact If the agency eliminates 20 routes and doubles wait times on Metro, Rapid, and frequent routes, riders will face longer travel times. A commuter who currently waits 10 minutes for a frequent route would wait 20 minutes under the proposed changes. The 60% reduction in evening service means a rider catching a bus at 10 p.m. would wait significantly longer for the next vehicle than current schedules allow. The SFMTA documentation does not specify how the agency will provide transit access to neighborhoods losing direct service. ## Funding Gaps The SFMTA budget relies on internal cost savings to cover the current cycle. The agency reports a need for three new revenue sources to close the $430 million gap by 2030 but does not list specific tax proposals, political mechanisms, or state and federal subsidies in the current budget documents. The records do not provide a timeline for securing these funds. ## Key Questions **Which specific Muni routes will be eliminated?** The SFMTA budget planning documents identify that 20 routes are at risk, but the agency has not released a list of the specific routes targeted for closure. **How will the 60% reduction in evening service affect my commute?** The reduction in service between 9 p.m. and midnight would increase wait times for late-night transit, though the agency has not provided specific headway data for individual lines. **Is the current budget a permanent solution?** No, the SFMTA board approved the budget as a two-year measure, and the agency warns that service cuts are necessary by fiscal year 2027-2028 without new revenue.