The current batch of funding will go to 22 agencies (download below) with amounts varying based on regional population, according to CalSTA.
According to the Streetsblog California report, this is the first round of funding from the 2023’s Senate Bill 125, which should distribute a total of $5.1 billion over the course of several years through 2028, “barring other delays or freezes.” CalSTA says it anticipates approving additional allocation packages for remaining planning agencies throughout the summer, totaling nearly $500 million. The remaining SB 125 funds will be approved annually through fiscal year 2027-28, according to the agency.
“This vital funding serves as a lifeline for transit agencies all over the state and helps to advance California’s ambitious, world-leading climate goals,” said Gov. Newsom. “At the same time, we’re adding accountability measures that help put our state’s transit agencies on a path toward long-term stability.”
According to the Streetsblog California report, the funding is “unusually flexible in that it can be used to pay for transit operations or capital improvements.” Some of it is being distributed through the Transit and Intercity Capital Rail Program (TIRCP), which was created to “provide grants from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) to fund transformative capital improvements that will modernize California’s intercity, commuter, and urban rail systems.” Some of the funding will also be distributed through the Zero Emission Transit Capital Program.
The transit recovery package, CalSTA says, also includes accountability measures “to help stabilize transit systems and retool their long-term operations to better align with the needs of the public.” As part of that effort, the agency has convened the Transit Transformation Task Force to “develop policy recommendations to grow transit ridership, improve the transit experience and address long-term operational needs.”
The task force, Streetsblog California reports, has held four meetings so far, “tackling general questions about service improvements, fare and schedule coordination among agencies, and safety and cleanliness.” The next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 29 at the offices of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG).
“California’s commitment to public transit is unwavering, and with billions more in funding in the pipeline—including for zero-emission equipment and operations —we are just getting started in delivering a more sustainable and equitable transit system for the people of California,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. “I thank Governor Newsom and our legislative leaders for continuing to prioritize public transit.”
In addition to the transit funding announced on Monday, in April CalSTA put out a call for projects for more than $900 million through the TIRCP. Project applications are due July 23, with an award announcement in October. This, the agency says, follows more than nearly $3.5 billion in state funding just last year to expand transit and passenger rail service throughout the state.
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