Report claims Bay Area commuters face significantly longer drives if transit funding fails

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A new independent report warns that Bay Area traffic could worsen significantly if public transit agencies are forced to make major service cuts amid ongoing budget challenges.

The report, commissioned by SPUR, examined eight traffic-congested areas across the Bay Area and modeled the potential impact if riders shifted from trains and buses to personal vehicles following major reductions in transit service.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said the consequences could be severe if voters reject measures intended to support transit funding.

"Failure of these measures would be devastating for communities and our economic recovery. If both the Regional Transit Measure and Prop H fail, traffic on the Bay Bridge would more than double during peak hours here in San Francisco alone. The report estimates 73 million additional miles driven on our streets every year. If these transit cuts move forward," Lurie said.

MORE: What is causing the overnight Bay Bridge backups, leaving drivers frustrated? Caltrans responds

State Sen. Jesse Arreguín, who represents the East Bay and co-authored Senate Bill 63, also known as the Connect Bay Area Act, said recent transit disruptions offer a glimpse of what could happen if agencies reduce service.

"We've seen what's happened when BART has melted down over the past year. Commutes that increased people up, people and stuck on the road. Imagine that happening every single day. And that's what's at stake with this election," Arreguín said.

State Sen. Scott Wiener, a co-author of SB 63, urged Bay Area residents to consider the broader effects of transit service reductions, including impacts on those who do not regularly use public transportation.

"Data that came out today shows that, yes, transit is essential for transit riders and if BART collapses and if Muni and Caltrain and AC transit cut service, transit riders won't be able to get to work, won't be able to get to school, will be able to go shopping. But when we also know and what is proven again today is that even if you don't use public transportation, it also matters for you," Wiener said.

MORE: This Bay Area commute ranked California's most frustrating, new survey finds

The Regional Transit Measure and Proposition H seek to provide funding to help buses and trains continue operating as transit agencies across the region face budget shortfalls. Supporters say passage of the measures would help avoid major service reductions.

The Regional Measure would increase sales taxes for 14 years by one-half cent in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, and by 1 cent in San Francisco.

Proposition H would generate additional funding for Muni through a parcel tax on San Francisco home and condo owners.

Opponents argue transit agencies should pursue other options before seeking additional taxpayer funding.

MORE: Bay Area voters to decide on transit funding measures amid systemwide delays

"I think they really need to look at alternative structures before asking us to fund another $1.2 billion a year on Bay Area consumers with a regressive tax. There's more behind," said Gregg Dieguez, president of the Committee for Affordable Bay Area Transit.

Dieguez said voters should question whether service cuts are the only alternative available to transit agencies.

"All the other ways they could raise money or save money. There are things like part-time operators, contract operators, adding them, reducing overtime or full-time employees would save Bart a lot of money. They didn't talk about taking money from high-speed rail where we're wasting it. It only took Newsom ten days to get the legislature. Legislature to give them $20 billion, a billion a year for the next 20 years. And we're funding something that's just wasting money," Dieguez said.

The Regional Transit Measure would require approval from voters in all five counties. Proposition H would apply only to San Francisco voters.