CONTACT: Eric Young, SFCTA; 415-522-4816 office, eric.young@sfcta.org


San Francisco voters approved Proposition L, the Sales Tax for Transportation Projects measure that will direct $2.6 billion in half-cent sales tax funds over 30 years to help deliver safer, smoother streets, more reliable transit, continue paratransit services for seniors and persons with disabilities, reduce congestion, and improve air quality.

Proposition L, which does not raise the city’s sales tax level, required two-thirds majority approval and expenditures will be administered by the San Francisco County Transportation Authority.

To develop the 30-year Expenditure Plan, the Transportation Authority led extensive outreach with the public and an Advisory Committee, composed of 27 members from neighborhoods, community groups, advocacy organizations, and business and civic groups, who met over the course of six months to discuss investment priorities and implementation policies.

“We want to express our gratitude to San Francisco voters for their support of Proposition L,” said Mayor London Breed. “Proposition L’s investments will benefit everyone – from residents, to workers to visitors – helping to improve access and safety in every neighborhood while boosting our city’s economic recovery.”

“Huge thanks to the San Francisco voters and the broad-based coalition of community, civic, labor, business, and environmental groups who came together to shape and pass Prop L,” said Transportation Authority Board Chair and District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman. “Prop L’s passage by 71% shows San Franciscans believe in a better transportation future and are willing to invest in that future.”

Under Proposition L, the half-cent sales tax Expenditure Plan includes funding for:

  • Neighborhood-level investments such as road repair, crosswalks, traffic calming, new and upgraded traffic signals, bicycle lanes, and Safe Routes to School programs.
  • Citywide improvements like electrifying Muni’s bus fleet, bus lanes and transit signal priority, maintaining buses and trains so they operate safely and reliably, and increasing the capacity of both Muni and BART systems.
  • Implementing transportation improvements identified in community-based plans across the city and particularly in Equity Priority Communities.
  • Major projects like the Caltrain Downtown Rail Extension, which will extend Caltrain tracks to Salesforce Transit Center. 

“We thank San Francisco voters for extending our sales tax for another 30 years to pay for transportation projects from maintaining streets to improving BART, Muni, Caltrain and ferry systems that millions of travelers rely upon,” said Tilly Chang, Executive Director of the Transportation Authority. “Prop L will support a generation of transportation investments and leverage billions of dollars in state and federal infrastructure grants.”

“The city's half-cent sales tax funds are critical to maintaining and improving Muni's entire system, from our bus and rail fleets to on-street and subway infrastructure and facilities,” said SFMTA Board Chair Gwyneth Borden. "The sales tax is a cornerstone of SFMTA's delivery of safer streets and paratransit services as well. We truly appreciate the voters’ support for these important capital investments and services for our city’s multi-modal transportation system."

“BART echoes the city’s thanks to San Francisco voters,” said BART Director Bevan Dufty. “The renewal of sales tax funds couldn’t be more timely, as we are focused on transforming the user experience to better meet the needs of current riders and attract new customers. This funding will help pay for much needed upgrades to modernize our nearly 50-year-old San Francisco stations and will result in safer, more frequent service to improve transit options in the city.”

Background

San Francisco voters first approved the half-cent transportation sales tax in 1989. Voters continued the half-cent sales tax in 2003 with the adoption of Proposition K and a new Expenditure Plan, which is currently in place. Since then, the Transportation Authority has directed nearly $2 billion in half-cent sales tax funding to deliver transportation projects citywide.

The half-cent transportation sales tax generates about $100 million per year and helps fund transportation projects large and small across the city. Major capital investments have included the purchase of new Muni buses and light rail vehicles, Salesforce Transit Center, the electrification of Caltrain (anticipated to be completed in 2024), Muni Central Subway, and reconstructing Doyle Drive, now known as Presidio Parkway.

The sales tax program also makes a big difference in people’s lives through smaller projects like traffic calming, street repaving projects, paratransit service for seniors and persons with disabilities, protected bike lanes, new and upgraded signals, and, during the pandemic, taxi rides home for essential workers. See sfcta.org/stories for examples from everyday San Franciscans.

Resources

About the San Francisco County Transportation Authority 

The San Francisco County Transportation Authority’s mission is to make travel safer, healthier, and easier for all. We plan, fund, and deliver local and regional projects to improve travel choices for residents, commuters, and visitors throughout the city. The Transportation Authority Board consists of the 11 members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, who act as Transportation Authority Board Members. Board Member Rafael Mandelman is Chair of the Board. Tilly Chang is the Transportation Authority’s Executive Director.