VOTERS SAY YES TO TRANSIT: AC TRANSIT CELEBRATES REGIONAL TRANSIT MEASURE APPROVAL

Voter supported RTM helps prevent 16% service cuts, shorter operating hours, and keeps traffic congestion in check

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) extends its sincere gratitude to every Bay Area voter who exercised their civic voice and participated in this election. On behalf of our more than 2,200 dedicated employees, we extend a heartfelt thank you for approving the Regional Tax Measure (RTM). 

Voters sent a clear message: investing in public transit is essential to keeping our communities connected and ensuring AC Transit can continue providing reliable access, across the East Bay, to jobs, schools, health care, and the opportunities people depend on every day. 

Without RTM funding, AC Transit faced the grim outlook of cutting bus service by as much as 16 percent, removing up to 100 buses from daily operations, and potentially laying off as many as 300 employees. 

“Thanks to this measure, AC Transit is expected to receive approximately $55 million annually over the next 14 years,” said Board President Diane Shaw. “Every voter-approved dollar will be managed with strict financial oversight and accountability to ensure funds are invested where they will provide the greatest public benefit.”

The stakes extended far beyond transit funding. BART faced station closures, and replacing just one hour of morning rush hour train service would have required an estimated 120 buses. Meanwhile, AC Transit faced losing up to 100 buses from daily operations. The impact would have been staggering: fewer trains, fewer buses, more cars, and even worse congestion on Bay Area roadways already stretched to their limits. 

“Your vote is more than approval of a ballot measure. It is a direct investment in the lives of more than 3 million monthly riders and a powerful show of support for the livelihoods of more than 2,200 AC Transit safety professionals who keep the East Bay moving,” said General Manager Salvador Llamas. “Importantly, we recognize the trust voters have placed in us, and with that trust comes a responsibility to make every public dollar count through careful fiscal oversight and transparent accountability.”

RTM means sustainable funding for AC Transit, but also for our partners at BART, Muni, and Caltrain. Together, these investments will strengthen the Bay Area’s transit network, helping us deliver more connected service today while modernizing to keep the region moving through 2040 and beyond. 

So, today, we celebrate more than a victory at the ballot box. We celebrate the tireless advocacy of our riders, employees, labor and community partners, and elected leaders who transformed a shared vision for public transit into a powerful movement.