SFMTA plans budget town hall meetings

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is seeking public input as it develops its budget for the next two years.

The transit agency which oversees Muni, parking, traffic, taxis, bicycle and pedestrian safety projects is holding two budget town hall meetings to seek public feedback on proposed programs and projects in its operating and capital budget for the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 fiscal years.

The SFMTA’s Board of Directors held its first public hearing on the budget on Feb. 18, which included several revenue proposals such as the much-talked about possible $6 single-ride fare for the F-Market & Wharves streetcars.

Supervisor Scott Wiener has already voiced his opposition to the possible increase through Twitter:

Bad idea to raise F line fares to $6. Too many residents rely on this line, including when subway melts down. http://t.co/qlWgnzcnch

— Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) February 23, 2014

The transit agency also has included the possibility of expanding its free Muni for low-income youth program. Advocates have called on the agency to make the program permanent and to include 18-year old students.

Other proposals the public will most likely be presented with include the elimination of Sunday parking meter enforcement and increasing Muni service hours.

The first budget town hall meeting is Thursday in the SFMTA Headquarters (One South Van Ness Avenue, Second floor atrium) from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Another town hall meeting will be held on March 8 in the Main Public Library Koret Auditorium from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The SFMTA board will hold a second public hearing on the budget during its March 4 meeting.

Those who cannot attend either meetings can email comments about the budget to the transit agency at [email protected] or use the Twitter hashtag #sfmtabudget.

Jerold Chinn

Jerold serves as a reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief for SFBay covering transportation and occasionally City Hall and the Mayor's Office in San Francisco. His work on transportation has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club. Born and raised in San Francisco, he graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in journalism. Jerold previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization. When not reporting, you can find Jerold taking Muni to check out new places to eat in the city.