Lifeline Transportation Program

Overview
Background
Program delivery
Sponsors
Reports and documents

Overview

Photo: freeside, flickr

Introduction

The Lifeline Transportation Program funds projects that:

Focus on Equity Priority Communities
Improve mobility and accessibility in low-income communities
Address gaps or barriers identified through community-based transportation plans or other substantive, collaborative, and inclusive planning efforts involving focused outreach to low-income populations.

San Francisco’s Lifeline Transportation Program is supported by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission with State Transit Assistance funds. The Transportation Authority administers Lifeline Transportation Program funds for San Francisco.

Resources

San Francisco’s Equity Priority Communities Map

Background

In December 2018, the Transportation Authority Board approved San Francisco’s State Transit Assistance County Block Grant Framework (PDF) for Fiscal Years 2018/19 and 2019/20, creating the San Francisco Lifeline Transportation Program. The approved framework distributed $3.1 million to the SFMTA’s paratransit program. The remaining $4.7 million funded the San Francisco Lifeline Transportation Program modeled after the former regional Lifeline Transportation Program established by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, with which the Transportation Authority administered six funding cycles. The San Francisco Lifeline Transportation Program supports projects that improve mobility for low-income residents by addressing transportation gaps or barriers identified through equity assessments and collaborative and inclusive community-based planning processes. There have been three funding cycles of the San Francisco Lifeline Transportation Program.

Program delivery

MyStreetSF Project Map

View all projects funded by the Lifeline Transportation Program on the MyStreetSF project map.

Funding Cycles

Cycle 1: Fiscal Years 2018/19 and 2019/20

Project Sponsor	Project Name	Lifeline Funds	Total Project Cost
SFMTA	Continuing Late Night Transit Service to Communities in Need	$1,609,700	$3,763,158
SFMTA	San Francisco Community Health Mobility Navigation Project: Removing Health Care Transportation Barriers for Low Access Neighborhoods	$396,300	$498,600
BART	Elevator Attendant Initiative	$2,600,000	$3,048,000
TOTAL		$4,606,000	$7,309,758

Cycle 2: Fiscal Year 2021/22

Project Sponsor	Project Name	Lifeline Funds	Total Project Cost
BART	Elevator Attendant Program	$1,035,626	$3,000,000
TOTAL		$1,035,626	$3,000,000

Cycle 3: Fiscal Year 2023/24

Project Sponsor	Project Name	Lifeline Funds	Total Project Cost
BART	Elevator Attendant Program*	$2,058,039, up to $2,340,041**	$6,785,272
TOTAL		$2,340,041	$6,785,272

* Funds are programmed for two years of the Elevator Attendant Program.

** San Francisco Lifeline Transportation Program funds are programmed up to $2,340,041 to BART’s Elevator Attendant Program if actual State Transit Assistance revenues meet the current 100% estimate for FY 23/24.

Projects Supported by the Lifeline Transportation Program

The Route 8X-Bayshore Express Customer First, funded with $5,285,000 in LTP funds, reduced delay and improved accessibility along the bus route.

The Route 8X-Bayshore Express Customer First, funded with $5,285,000 in Lifeline Transportation Program funds, reduced delay and improved accessibility along the bus route.

The Balboa Park Station Eastside Connections project that improved access and safety between Muni light rail and the BART entrance at the Balboa Park Station was supported by $2,989,327 in Lifeline Transportation Program funds.

The Late Night Transit Service to Communities in Need project, funded by $8,955,830 in Lifeline Transportation Program grants, increased the Treasure Island owl frequency and closed gaps and continued owl service on key segments of the 48 Quintara/24th Street and 44 O’Shaughnessy.

Photo: freeside, flickr

A woman in a wheelchair using the Shopper Shuttle

The Shop‐a‐Round and Van Gogh Recreational Shuttle Service, funded by $1,592,462 in Lifeline Transportation Program funds, provides transportation to and from grocery stores and recreational events throughout San Francisco for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

A taxi driver helping someone with a wheelchair get into a taxi

The Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Incentive Program, funded with $75,000 in LTP funds, provides financial incentives to increase the supply of accessible wheelchair ramp taxis available through the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency paratransit program. The ramp taxis will be in general circulation, increasing mobility options citywide for wheelchair users.

Photo: SFMTA Photography Department

Reporting Procedures

As a condition of receiving San Francisco Lifeline Transportation Program funds, sponsors are required to submit quarterly progress reports by January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15. Quarterly progress reports should be entered via each project’s page in the Transportation Authority's Portal.