Last week, the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) released the long-awaited report from the two-year Transit Transformation Task Force (TTTF). Created at the end of 2023, the Task Force was charged with identifying transformative solutions to California’s public transit crisis — solutions that could stabilize operating funding, provide excellent service, and grow ridership. So, how did the task force do?

The report offers important building blocks. But it does not solve the central challenge: California still lacks a plan to close the multi-billion-dollar operating funding gap threatening transit systems across the state.

Why this matters:

California’s transit riders already feel the strain of our underfunded system: long waits, unreliable service, and barriers to accessing work, school, and essential services. Fares cover only a fraction of what it takes to run safe, frequent service — and California under-invests in transit operations compared to other states. Without action, transit agencies across the state face service cuts that will ripple across our communities. 

Affordable, reliable public transit is one of the most powerful tools California has to reduce household costs and expand access to opportunity. But none of this is possible without long-term operating funding — and clear leadership from the Legislature and the next Governor.

Highlights from the Task Force Report: 

The report reflects two years of collaboration among transit advocates, local governments, transit agencies, riders, labor organizations, and researchers. There were several interesting funding recommendations, including: 

• Identifying new revenue sources, including potential new taxes
• Shifting transportation funding, making transit eligible for funds currently restricted to road projects
• Increasing flexibility, allowing operations and vehicles to be funded with dollars currently reserved for capital projects

Although not included in the final report, Task Force members also explored the feasibility of raising revenue through sales taxes, fuel taxes, corporate taxes, payroll taxes, and express lanes — and recommended providing a short list to lawmakers for consideration.

ClimatePlan partners played an important role: Laurel Paget-Seekins (Public Advocates) and Eli Lipmen (Move LA) served on the Task Force. As Paget-Seekins told Streetsblog, “These recommendations are essential building blocks…but the real work begins now.” And Eli Lipmen said, “Californians deserve affordable alternatives to driving. Transportation needs to be abundant, frequent, reliable, and safe. Our work on the Task Force is the starting point to improve the lives of Californians by building, maintaining, and operating the best public transit system in the United States. We call on the Legislature to now implement key recommendations and accelerate the transformation of our transit system.”

A fight on Article 19? 

One of the most consequential recommendations from the Task Force urges the Legislature to make transit eligible for revenue from a future statewide road user charge, expected as early as 2027. Today, Article 19 of the California Constitution restricts gas tax dollars — and any replacement revenue — to roads and highways, making transit operations explicitly ineligible.

The Task Force also supported making it easier for regions to place transit funding measures on the ballot. Regional measures supply billions in operating funding, and require coordination, organizing, and broad coalitions to pass.

Fast, Reliable, Connected and Convenient Service 

Importantly, the task force report doesn’t focus solely on new funding. It also highlights the improvements needed to make transit a compelling alternative to driving. Key recommendations include priority bus lanes to speed up service, better coordination between transit agencies to align schedules, and investments in the “last mile” so it’s fast, safe, and easy to get from a transit stop to a final destination.

Where we go from here:  

The Task Force report is a starting point. Securing the funding and policy changes California needs will require sustained advocacy over the next several years.

There are reasons for optimism. Recent mayoral victories in New York, Miami, and Seattle show that transit is broadly popular and can anchor political campaigns focused on affordability and access. And here in California, a diverse and growing coalition of transit riders, labor unions, environmental advocates, small businesses, and major employers increasingly understand the benefits of strong, reliable transit and are making it a priority. 

At ClimatePlan, we’ll be working with partners across the state to take the next steps needed towards stable funding for public transit.

With clear eyes — and even a bit of tailwind — we move forward into 2026.