By Transit California Staff
SFMTA: Driving Muni’s Comeback Together: May Marked Highest Ridership Recovery Month
Our teams have been working hard behind the scenes to make our transit system fast, frequent and reliable. We’re thrilled to see the results: more and more people choosing Muni.
May marked our highest ridership recovery month since the pandemic began.
And the data shows even more milestones – a comeback you drove just as much as we did.
Weekend ridership reached 97% of 2019 levels – our highest weekend numbers since the pandemic began.
- Muni saw an average of 521,000 weekday trips – up 21,000 trips from May 2024
- Overall ridership reached 79% of pre-pandemic levels
- Muni delivered 14.4 million boardings for the month across the system
Learn where people are taking Muni, how we’re supporting their trips and why growing our ridership together is so critical right now.
Weekend ridership sees boost as our teams support major events
May’s numbers show that people are using Muni more and more to get to recreational activities on the weekends.
Ridership on Saturdays and Sundays increased notably as people took Muni to:
- Concerts
- Sporting events
- Night markets
- Parks
- Museums
Warm weather and popular events like Bay to Breakers helped to bring people outside. Large crowds from this quintessentially San Francisco event drove one of the busiest Sundays of the month.
Behind the scenes, our transit teams work to increase service for major events like the Bay to Breakers. This way, locals and visitors alike can enjoy reliable rides to and from events. Our parking control officers also help keep conditions safe by directing vehicle traffic around where streets are closed.
With summer events in full swing, you can count on us to keep planning ahead so that your Muni trips are an easy choice.
Weekday trips on the rise as Muni reliability continues to improve
Even with many residents working hybrid schedules, Muni continues to serve a strong base of weekday riders.
In May, Muni saw an average of 521,000 weekday trips – up 21,000 trips from the same time last year. We’re glad to see this number keep climbing as we work to improve your trips to downtown jobs and neighborhoods across the city.
One major effort involves headway management. This means timing our buses so they arrive at intervals riders can rely on. The goal: prevent buses from bunching up at stops and then seeing major gaps until the next one arrives. In May, data shows we improved our headway adherence. More buses arrived at consistent intervals.
Programs like Fix-It Week are another way we make Muni more reliable. This preventative maintenance work is paying off. In May, the Market Street Subway experienced fewer delay events, a reflection of targeted infrastructure upgrades and operational adjustments.
Since May 2019 in the Market Street Subway:
- Moderate delays are down 49%
- Long delays are down 69%
Now, a dozen Muni routes have fully recovered or are exceeding pre-pandemic ridership levels. For ridership recovery by route and other data, you can check out our Muni Data webpage.
Working together to get through a major budget deficit
Despite these successes, Muni is facing a deficit of more than $320 million starting in July 2026. All the funding sources we relied on in the past are down since the pandemic.
Thanks to agency cost saving and efficiency measures, this deficit is $100 million less than it otherwise could have been.
But without new funding, Muni will be forced to cut about a third of service, which would be devastating to San Francisco’s future.
To protect the transportation services San Francisco depends on, our agency is working closely with elected officials, labor partners and community members to secure new long-term funding at the regional, state and local levels.
As we work to find long-term solutions, we will continue to make progress every day to offer the best service we can.
With summer underway, we are preparing for a busy season of events, outdoor festivals and national and international visitors. Follow our blog to find out how Muni can take you to free concerts, skill-building workshops and more – downtown and across the city.
MTC: Silicon Valley BART, SMART, Highway 37 Among Winners in State Grant Contest; Bay Area Makes Strong Showing in Race for SB 1 Dollars
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) this week approved a dozen grants totaling more than $400 million to advance key mobility projects around the Bay Area. These awards, made through a trio of competitive grant programs established by the landmark 2017 Senate Bill 1 transportation financing package, include $73 million for the Highway 37 Sears Point-to-Mare Island Improve Project sponsored by MTC, Caltrans and North Bay county transportation agencies; a pair of grants totaling $100 million to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) for the ongoing second phase of its BART-to-Silicon Valley extension project; and two grants totaling $87 million to help the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) extend service from the newly opened Windsor station north to Healdsburg.
MTC, Caltrans, the Napa Valley Transportation Authority, the Solano Transportation Authority and the Sonoma County Transportation Authority will use the newly approved SB 1 grant — awarded Thursday through the Trade Corridors Enhancement Program — for the $251 million second phase of the Sears Point-to-Mare Island improvements, designed to relieve congestion and accommodate bus service through the 10-mile segment where there is now just a single lane in each direction. This part of the three-phase project will include the addition of a second eastbound lane and work to restore critical marshlands east of Mare Island that protect the roadway from rising waters.
The CTC on Thursday awarded SMART $62 million in SB 1 money through the Solutions for Congested Corridors plus another $25 million on Friday through the Local Partnership Competitive Program. These dollars will be matched by $187.7 million in other state, federal, regional and local funds already secured to extend the railway to Healdsburg from its current terminus in Windsor, to complete segments of the adjacent SMART Pathway and the Great Redwood Trail for bicyclists and pedestrians, and to buy a zero-emission locomotive.
VTA, which began construction on the second phase of its BART-to-Silicon Valley extension project last year, will use $75 million awarded Thursday through the Solutions for Congested Corridors and $25 million awarded Friday through the Local Partnership Competitive Program to continue work to bring BART from Berryessa/North San José through downtown San José to Santa Clara. The six-mile extension will feature four new stations — three underground and one ground-level — along with a new maintenance and storage facility, expanding the service area of the Bay Area’s largest high-speed, high-capacity electrified commuter rail system.
Other Bay Area projects receiving CTC awards:
- $58.5 million through the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program to the Contra Costa Transportation Authority for its ongoing Interstate 680 / State Route 4 Interchange Improvement Project to relieve congestion and improve traffic operations along both highways.
- $41 million in Solutions for Congested Corridors money to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency for its Train Control Upgrade Project, which will modernize the entire Muni Metro light-rail system with communications-based train control technology.
- $30 million to Caltrans and the Alameda County Transportation Commission through the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program to construct safety improvements at 24 at-grade railroad crossings in Alameda County and to prevent trespassing at two other locations in the county.
- $14.6 million through the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program to Caltrans and Prologis Mobility for their Freight Logistics Electrification for Emission-free Transport (FLEET) project in Hayward. FLEET will support accessible and reliable charging stations for use by as many as 252 electric trucks daily, helping to reduce emissions and foster economic growth.
- $2.5 million in Trade Corridor Enhancement Program cash to Caltrans for the Electrifying Priority Trade Corridors project, which will develop the first publicly accessible charging depot for heavy-duty electric vehicles on Port of Oakland property. The project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants, improving air quality and environmental health for communities near the port and along key freight corridors such as Interstates 80, 880 and 580.
- $14 million in Trade Corridor Enhancement Program money to the San Mateo County Transportation Authority and the City of Redwood City for reconstruction of the U.S. 101 / State Route 84 interchange to replace all ramps and widen Woodside Road to three lanes in each direction between Bay Road and the northbound US 101 off-ramp at Seaport Boulevard.
- $14 million through the Local Partnership Competitive Program to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency for its Howard Street Streetscape project, which will establish a two-way protected bicycle lane, a landscaped median separating the bikeway from traffic, bulb-outs and raised crosswalks to shorten crossing distances, and parking lanes on both sides of the street. The roadway will be reduced to two general purpose vehicle travel lanes.
San Joaquin RTD and the District Attorney's Office Unveils "One Pill Can Kill" Bus Wrap
San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) and the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office have joined forces to launch a powerful message of awareness and hope with the “One Pill Can Kill” bus wrap. This eye-catching visual serves as a mobile warning against counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid now driving an alarming rise in overdose deaths across communities.
“This partnership reflects our deep commitment to protecting lives and educating the public,” said RTD CEO Alex Clifford. “Every mile this bus travels represents a chance to educate and protect someone in our community.”
Fentanyl overdoses have surged in recent years, claiming 48 lives in 2021 alone in the county. Over half of those who died were aged between 14 and 35, highlighting a tragic trend that impacts families and neighborhoods alike. The District Attorney’s Office, through its Fentanyl Intervention, Response, and Safety Team (FIRST), continues to focus on education and outreach to combat the overdose crisis and build awareness.
District Attorney Ron Freitas further stressed the severity of the crisis, saying, “Fentanyl is taking lives in our community—and we must act with urgency. The ‘One Pill Can Kill’ RTD bus is more than just a message on wheels; it’s a mobile warning and a call to action. By raising awareness through education and community outreach, District Attorney Freitas and the Fentanyl Intervention, Response, and Safety Team (FIRST) are empowering San Joaquin County to fight back against this deadly epidemic. One pill truly can kill—and together, we can save lives.”
The bus wrap is not just a stark warning about fentanyl's deadly potency, which is 50 times stronger than heroin, but also a symbol of prevention and hope. This initiative stands as a testament to the shared resolve of RTD, the District Attorney’s Office, and FIRST to shield families from the heartbreak of overdose deaths.
To learn more, visit: https://sjcda.org/community/fentanyl
Monterey-Salinas Transit Receives American Public Transportation Association 2025 Outstanding Public Transportation System Award
Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) is proud to announce that it has been selected by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) as the recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Public Transportation System Award in the small operator category.
This prestigious national recognition honors MST for its achievements in efficiency, innovation, and its commitment to delivering high-quality transit service to the communities it serves.
The award is given annually to an APTA member organization that demonstrates excellence in operations, customer service, and community impact. MST was selected from among public transportation systems across the country for its forward-thinking initiatives, strong performance metrics, and positive customer experience.
MST General Manager/CEO, Carl Sedoryk stated, “While we’re honored to be recognized at the national level by our peers in the transit industry, this award simply confirms what our passengers have always known — MST provides safe, dependable, and friendly service every day. For many years, an overwhelming majority of our passengers rate our driver safety, friendliness and system dependability and affordability as ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’. Now our industry peers from near and far can see what our community has long appreciated: MST connects communities, creates opportunity, and does so while being kind to our planet. I’m incredibly proud and excited that the hard work of Team MST is being recognized across the country.”
MST will formally accept the award at the 2025 APTA Annual Meeting this fall.
LAVTA Board Elects Julie Testa as Chair
The Board of Directors of the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority, operator of the Wheels bus system, unanimously elected Pleasanton Councilmember Julie Testa to serve as LAVTA Board Chair for fiscal year 2026. Testa, who was first elected to the Pleasanton City Council in 2018, was appointed to the LAVTA Board of Directors in 2023, served as Vice Chair in fiscal year 2025, and is a member of the Finance and Administration Committee. Testa succeeds outgoing LAVTA Chair Evan Branning, Vice Mayor of Livermore.
In addition to her time with LAVTA and the Pleasanton City Council, Testa has a lengthy history of civic participation within the community, including 11 years of service as a Human Services Commissioner and as a board member for Tri-Valley REACH and the Tri-Valley chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
“As a longtime supporter of public transit, I’m honored to guide LAVTA’s mission of advancing transportation access in our Tri-Valley communities.”, said Testa. “Wheels is a critical service to our vibrant local economy and provides seniors and other non-drivers with a reliable and affordable mobility solution.”
The LAVTA Board also unanimously elected Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert to the position of Vice Chair for the upcoming year.
County Connection Youth Ride Free: Halfway Highlights
In April 2025, the Youth Ride Free (YRF) summer pilot program was just a glint in the eye of County Connection–and we were hoping to launch something that would get area youth (18 and under) to ride transit during the summer months, when transit numbers typically drop amongst younger passengers. Now, with the program at its halfway point, early data is showing that this simple, barrier-free approach is already delivering promising results.
Launched June 1, 2025, and going on through the end of July, YRF allows passengers ages 18 and under to ride any County Connection bus for free, with no application, ID, or special pass required. This approach removes obstacles that have traditionally discouraged young riders from using transit, helping to stimulate spontaneous, independent travel. As well, there’s some secondary “transit literacy” our riders are getting, like learning how to plan trips, read a timetables, or check out bus times on Transit–all helpful skills in building a lifelong relationship with public transit.
“In addition to providing free rides to our younger riders, we’re learning how to better serve youth by paying attention to their behavior and feedback,” said Andrew Smith, Director of Marketing & Communications at County Connection. “That’s data we can use to improve future programs, whether or not we’re able to offer free transit long-term.”
The campaign kicked off its outreach in late April with a three-pronged strategy: paid advertising, messaging via community partners, and word-of-mouth from riders and supporters. Engagement has been strong across the board surpassing 1 million views of online ads in English and Spanish. Notably, TikTok ads have led the way, generating more than double the impressions of other platforms.
Meanwhile offline and prior to summer break, County Connection staff visited 27 middle and high schools to distribute flyers and stickers, and partnered with local movie theaters to run YRF pre-preview ads across 34 movie screens. Additionally, over 160 media packets were sent to libraries, small businesses, and community partners to help spread the word.
But the real test of success? Ridership!
Just four weeks into the program, youth boardings has already surpassed all of June and July 2024’s total Summer Youth Pass (now discontinued) usage, reaching 714% of last summer’s two-month total. With one month still to go, staff now expect a 50-60% increase in all youth ridership (Summer Youth Pass + Clipper Youth) by the end of July. Our ridership data reveals significant youth activity at locations including Hurricane Harbor Waterpark, schools offering summer programs, and popular hubs like Sunvalley Mall, City Center, and BART stations. Most popular routes include the 6, 10, 15, 20 and 35 on weekdays and the 310, 320, 321 and 335 on weekends.
To measure impact and gather insights, County Connection is tracking results through:
- Passenger boardings (logged by our bus drivers)
- YRF leaderboard, where riders ages 13-18 can log trips, earn digital badges, and win prizes like movie tickets, gift cards, and limited-edition County Connection merch (see image above). Note: While primarily an engagement tool, the leaderboard is also providing valuable insights into ridership trends by route and day of week. Join the leaderboard at youthridefree.com
- (Coming soon) An opt-in survey (open to youth and parents through August)
Also exciting is that our neighboring agencies have joined in! Tri Delta Transit and WestCAT launched their own Youth Ride Free programs, sharing messaging to ensure a consistent experience for riders throughout the region. While WestCAT’s version requires an ID, the programs are otherwise aligned, giving youth a seamless travel experience across east, central, and western Contra Costa.
The YRF program is scheduled to end on July 31, at which point County Connection will share all data and lessons learned with partnering agencies. County Connection is currently exploring opportunities to sustain or build on the program after the pilot wraps up, and we will share more information just as soon as it’s available.
VTA Named Certified Age-Friendly Employer: Leading the Nation in Supporting Experienced Talent
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is proud to announce its recognition as a Certified Age-Friendly Employer by the Age-Friendly Institute, making us the only transit agency in California, and one of only a few nationwide, to receive this prestigious designation.
This certification reflects VTA’s commitment to building an inclusive, multigenerational workforce where experience, knowledge, and leadership are valued at every level of the organization. Today, more than 950 VTA employees, over 40% of our workforce, are aged 50 or older, contributing across a wide range of roles, including Bus Operators, Engineers, Maintenance Technicians, Administrative Professionals, and Managers. Many also return to serve as retired annuitants, offering their expertise in part-time or advisory roles.
Why Age-Friendly Practices Matter
At VTA, age-inclusive employment isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a strategic advantage. A multigenerational workforce brings a diversity of perspectives, deep institutional knowledge, and workplace stability that directly supports our mission to deliver high-quality transit services and community-centered solutions.
Key Practices That Earned the Certification:
- Age-neutral recruitment and hiring practices
- Pay equity across all classifications
- Ergonomic workplace adjustments and wellness support
- Pre-retirement planning to support career transitions
- Opportunities for retired annuitants to return in meaningful roles
- Implicit bias training, including a focus on age diversity
- Ongoing professional development available to all staff
Investing in Talent at Every Career Stage
While we do not offer programs exclusively for employees aged 50+, all VTA staff have access to a wide range of professional development opportunities, both in-person and online. We are also actively exploring multi-generational workforce training to promote collaboration and respect across age groups.
A Culture of Inclusion and Opportunity
This certification underscores VTA’s core belief: experienced professionals are essential to our success. Their expertise strengthens transit operations, improves customer service, and helps us stay responsive to the evolving needs of the communities we serve.
As a Certified Age-Friendly Employer, VTA is proud to set the standard for inclusive employment in the public transit industry, and we remain committed to policies and practices that reflect our values of opportunity, and respect for all employees.