Transit for the Future

MTC coordinates the development of innovative, next-generation transit projects the Bay Area will rely on as our cities grow and residents seek alternatives to cars.

Credit
Brenda Kahn

Trains, buses and ferries are essential to our transportation network — and will become even more important as the Bay Area’s population grows.

Transit means mobility for people without cars, and provides an alternative to driving for people who do own cars.

MTC’s funding priorities for the next generation of transit investments include:

  • Improving the region’s core transit systems
  • New bus rapid transit lines
  • Rail extensions that support future housing and employment growth
  • Integrating high-speed rail along the Peninsula corridor

Federal Transit Administration Funding at Work

MTC partners are harnessing Federal Transit Administration funds to bring their networks into the 21st century with more efficient, more effective transportation:

Caltrain Modernization

The Caltrain Modernization Program will electrify and upgrade Caltrain's commuter rail service between San Jose and San Francisco.

Muni Central Subway

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni) Central Subway project puts more of the Bay Area within easy reach, with four new stations, increased capacity and better access for communities along the line.

Transit Core Capacity Challenge Grants

Transit Core Capacity Challenge Grants finance capital improvements to the Bay Area’s three largest transit systems, investing our transit dollars where they can do the most good.

Learn about the impact.
Headlights from a BART train inside a BART station.
Transit Sustainability Project & Transit Performance Initiative

The Transit Sustainability Project and Transit Performance Initiative work together to help prioritize investments to the public transit network.

Find out how.
A bus rapid transit lane in San Francisco helps Muni buses bypass traffic on Van Ness Avenue.
Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) Grants

MTC distributes FTA grants, including FTA Section 5309, fund next generation transit expansion projects.

Learn more.
BART Silicon Valley Extension

The largest single public infrastructure project ever constructed in Santa Clara County, BART’s FTA-funded Silicon Valley Phase II Project will extend BART service into downtown San Jose.

Project details.
How Does the Bay Area Get Around?

The Bay Area's buses, trains, ferries, light rail vehicles, cable cars and streetcars provide alternatives to cars. See the statistics on regional ridership on the Vital Signs website.

Get the data.
Partnership

To maintain, operate and improve the Bay Area’s transit services, MTC works closely with:

  • The region’s 27 transit agencies
  • County transportation agencies
  • City and county governments
  • Major business groups, advocacy groups and many others
Investing Billions

The Bay Area prioritizes the maintenance, operation and modernization of existing services over construction of new transit projects.

Over the next 25 years, we expect to invest $173 billion on maintenance and improvement of current transit systems, compared to $21 billion for new transit projects.

FTA Section 5309

FTA Section 5309 Capital Investment Grants are earmarked by Congress to help fund next generation transportation projects. These include:

  • New Starts grants of $75 million or more
  • Small Starts grants up to $75 million
  • Core Capacity grants to expand capacity on existing transit systems

Get the facts, the details and info on eligible projects when you download FTA's overview.