05 Sep Transit Month Has Arrived: Officials Say Hop on for a Smoother Ride

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie speaks in front of City Hall on Thursday. Bay Area public transit operators have designated September as Transit Month in the hopes more people elect to use the services. (Andres Jimenez Larios / Bay City News)

By Andres Jimenez Larios
Bay City News

A collection of San Francisco officials and public transportation advocates gathered at the steps of City Hall on Thursday morning to raise awareness of September being Transit Month, an annual celebration sponsored by Bay Area transit agencies and governments.

Mayor Daniel Lurie was joined by the San Francisco Transit Riders advocacy group and local leaders at a rally at City Hall. The speakers talked about the importance of public transit to San Francisco and the need to take action to address the budget deficits many agencies like the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency face.

“Muni faces a fiscal crisis, and we are going to save it,” said Lurie. “No one wants to see service reductions, and we are doing everything we can do to prevent them. We must do what it takes, both within SFMTA and with partners across the region, to find the revenue that will keep Muni strong.”

According to the SFMTA, there will be $300 million annual deficits starting in July 2026, when federal and state emergency funds provided to the agency during the COVID-19 will expire.

Lurie announced that his administration was working to introduce a parcel tax in San Francisco that would help fund Muni alongside a possible regional measure sponsored by state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, that would introduce a sales tax for transit operators across the Bay Area facing the same economic struggles.

Besides raising awareness of the financial situation for transit agencies, operators are pushing the public to get out of their cars and use their services. They argue it helps to reduce stress from commuting and on the environment, while remaining reasonably affordable.

“BART benefits everyone in the Bay Area, whether they use transit or not,” said BART spokesperson Anna Duckworth in a written statement. “The system alleviates already-choked roadways, contributes billions to the economy, lowers the cost of living, helps the state and region meet housing and sustainability goals, and supports the overall health, safety, and resiliency of the Bay Area.”

The San Francisco Bay Ferry echoed the sentiment made by BART that public transit is an invaluable service that shouldn’t be taken for granted.

“We are sponsors of this year’s Transit Month, which is a great way to promote and coordinate with our transit partners throughout the region,” said ferry spokesperson Alexis Matsui via email. “We want everyone to enjoy all the ferry has to offer — including scenic views, free WiFi, a snack bar, and escape from gridlock — but we’re also proud to be part of a comprehensive system that works together to expand access to affordable, convenient transportation in the Bay Area.”

Sarah Katz-Hyman, a writer for the transit blog Muni Diaries, spoke about the importance of public transit to her and why she wanted more people to take it.

“The success of Bay Area transit as a whole and the continued recovery of San Francisco cannot happen without a robust and well-funded transit system,” said Katz-Hyman. “Adventure starts on transit, and so does culture, community, and connection. Trust me, I met all of my best friends on transit.”

Throughout the month, agencies will be promoting events they hope will incentivize out members of the public to take public transit.

BART will be holding an anime-themed public transit fair on Sunday at the Warm Springs/South Fremont station.

Muni will be hosting a trivia night at Standard Deviant Brewing in San Francisco on Sept. 18.

The SF Bay Ferry will be hosting a special ride from San Francisco to the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond on Sept. 27.

More information for events by public transit agencies will be posted on their respective websites and social media platforms.

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