California approves more than $1.9B for public transportation agencies

The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) recently approved more than $1.9 billion in Senate Bill 125 funds to support 22 public transportation agencies.

The 2023 bill provided $5.1 billion to be distributed to regional transportation planning agencies over multiple years. Funding can be used for capital improvements or transit operations.

“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,” Toks Omishakin, California Transportation secretary, said.

The approved funds are the first round of the transit recovery package included in the 2023-24 state budget.

Later this summer, CalSTA plans to approve additional allocation packages totaling nearly $500 million for the remaining planning agencies. Additional funding will be approved annually through fiscal year 2027-28.

Accountability measures are included in the transit recovery package to help stabilize transit systems and alter long-term operations to align better with the public’s needs.

CalSTA and the Transit Transformation Task Force have worked to develop policy recommendations that will grow transit ridership, address long-term operational needs, and improve the transit experience.

CalSTA also will award more than $900 million in Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program.

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