If we want to prevent cuts we need to fund Muni.

Without additional funding Muni will be looking at severe service and program cuts. Below are potential cuts that were presented at the SF Controller’s Muni Funding Working Group. These were used to illustrate what can be cut if the funding isn’t addressed.

1. The Service Cuts

Suspension of routes = $63 Million

Suspension Cable Cars and F-Line = $33 Million

Reduction of frequencies up to 50% =
$71 Million

Owl services only from 9:00pm - 6:00am =
$14 Million

Total saved = $181 Million

This covers only 56% of

the total deficit of $322 Million

2. Past Cuts and Savings

SFMTA has done a lot to cut down on expenditures and costs, but this deficit cannot be solved by the agency alone. Below is an non-exhaustive list of the agency’s cuts and savings.

Reduced Personnel Costs = $90 Million

Reduced Non-Personnel Costs = $30 Million

June Service Cuts = $7.2 Million

Increased Fares = $5.2 Million

Transit Only Lanes = $3 Million

Total Saved >$131Million

3. Fare enforcement will not solve the deficit

Fare evasion has dropped 30% since last year, and SFMTA expects that they can only retrieve up to $5 million per year. This revenue excludes the cost it would take to hire new fare inspectors.

Projected Enforcement Revenue = $5 Million

Cost of new fare inspectors = $3-3.5 Million

Net Revenue ~$1.5-2 Million

4. What is causing the deficit

The pandemic has fundamentally changed travel patterns in the city, caused a massive +$800 million budget shortfall from San Francisco’s general fund, and brought on high inflation. As a result costs have risen while Muni receives less money from fares, parking, and the city itself.

Pre-pandemic vs Post Pandemic
Transit and Parking Revenue

Parking Revenue (FY 18/19)…….…………$282 Million
Parking Revenue (FY 24/25)…..….………$249 Million

Transit Revenue (FY 18/19)...…………….$197 Million
Transit Revenue (FY 24/25).….………….$108 Million

Total Difference.………..…..-$122 Million

*ccsf = City and County of San Francisco