California Transit Agencies Have $5 Billion in ‘Bridge Funding’

In an article for CALmatters, Sameea Kamal outlines how transit agencies around California are planning to spend the $5 billion in transit funding approved by the state legislature in June.

The funding is meant in part to help agencies reduce their dependence on fare revenue and diversify their funding sources. “By Dec. 31, regional planning groups have to submit an application detailing how they plan to use the money to improve ridership and how they will divvy up funds between the transit operators they oversee.”

According to the article, “The other key part of the budget deal requires the state transportation agency to set up a transit “transformation” task force by Jan. 1 — with representatives from the department, local agencies, academic institutions, nongovernmental organizations and other stakeholders — to develop policy recommendations to grow ridership and improve the experience for passengers.”

Kamal notes that “the state ‘bridge’ funding is just that — a bridge” to give agencies time to figure out their next steps.