We will update this story throughout the evening.
Voters in Contra Costa and four other counties will decide today whether they’re willing to pay a higher sales tax rate to avoid what Bay Area transit agencies say will be drastic service cuts.
The measure, which requires a simple majority vote plus one to pass, would implement a one-half cent sales tax hike in Contra Costa, Alameda, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties; San Francisco’s sales tax would go up by 1 cent because proponents are seeking extra money to shore up the city’s Muni bus and train system.
A recent survey by the Bay Area News Group found that 48% of surveyed voters said they would vote for the measure, 34% said they would vote against it, and 18% were undecided.
The measure was leading with 65% yes votes in Alameda County; 77% yes votes in San Francisco county, 60% in San Mateo County, 56% in Contra Costa County, and 54% in Santa Clara County. It needs 50% plus one vote, combined, to pass, and the regional yes vote at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday night stood at 61.5% yes.
The 14-year tax increase would take effect next year. It’s projected to raise $980 million annually to fund BART, Muni, Caltrain, AC Transit and local transit agencies, including WestCat in western Contra Costa County, which provides transportation services such as fixed-route buses and rides for seniors and people with disabilities.
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Richmond’s sales tax is 9.75 cents per dollar and includes the 6-cent California sales tax as well as a 1.5-cent tax imposed by Contra Costa County and a 1-cent tax on sales in Richmond. If the measure passes, Richmonders will pay a 10.25-cent sales tax on goods purchased here, a bit higher than the statewide average of about 9 cents.
Under the new measure, San Pablo’s sales tax would jump to 10 cents per dollar. That city’s voters are also considering a local sales tax increase to fund city services. Both Pinole’s sales tax and El Cerrito’s sales tax would be 10.75 cents per dollar if Measure RTM is approved.
The countywide sales tax includes a half-cent per dollar that goes toward the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. That levy continues until 2034.
BART cuts could include reducing Richmond line to peak hours only
Jeff Cretan, Connect Bay Area’s spokesperson, said the sales tax hike is necessary to keep Bay Area transit agencies from cascading over a “fiscal cliff.”
“The tax will provide transit agencies with the substantial foundation they need,” Cretan told Richmondside.
Without the tax, potential service reductions could include:
- BART: The agency released a report earlier this year detailing drastic proposed service cuts (70%), including: Reducing red line service (Richmond) to peak hours only; shortening the Antioch-bound yellow line; eliminating blue line service to Dublin-Pleasanton; closing multiple low-ridership stations; more fare increases; no service after 9 p.m. on weekdays and no weekend service;
- AC Transit: Up to 37% overall service cuts;
- Muni: Elimination of entire routes, up to 50% cuts on major bus and metro lines and severe reductions to streetcar and cable car service; and
- Caltrain: Hourly weekday service, no service after 9 p.m. and no weekend service.
“The impact of these reductions on transit in the Bay Area would be tremendous,” Cretan said.
“People in Richmond need their buses,” he said. “They need their BART trains.”
Cretan noted that the transit service cuts could mean more people decide to purchase cars and then have to pay for gas, tolls and parking or they might resort to using ride services.
“The expense would be far higher than the sales tax,” he said.
Cretan transit service cuts could also lead to more congested freeways and an increase in air pollution.
“Public transit is public good,” he said. “It benefits everybody.”
He said an increase in revenue is necessary because there’s no way to reduce services enough to balance the budgets of the transit agencies.
“You can’t cut your way out of this,” he said.
Richmondside freelance reporter David Mills contributed to this report.
