Golden State Today

California is investing more than $2.2 billion to support public transportation across the state as part of the second wave of funding from last year's $5.1 billion transit recovery package.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced today the approval of an additional $343 million for public transportation. This funding, approved by the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), follows the first wave of $1.9 billion announced last month.

“Our message to California’s transit agencies is clear: we have your backs. California is committed to investing billions of dollars in public transit because millions rely on this clean, safe and reliable way to get to their destinations,” said Governor Newsom.

The funds are part of Senate Bill 125, which allocates a total of $5.1 billion over multiple years to regional transportation planning agencies for transit operations or capital improvements. The remaining funds will be approved yearly through fiscal year 2027-28.

Examples of how transit agencies are utilizing this funding include:

- The San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) is using nearly $45 million from their first-year allocation to maintain existing service levels.

- The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (SCCRTC) is using over $16 million to fund new transit priority infrastructure and service restoration.

- The El Dorado County Transportation Commission (EDCTC) is spending more than $10 million on zero-emission vehicles and a new micro-transit service.

- The Council of San Benito County Governments (SBCOG) is investing nearly $4 million in constructing a central transit hub and purchasing six new zero-emission buses.

“This critical funding demonstrates California’s continued commitment to public transit. Every dollar represents ongoing advancement of a more sustainable and equitable transit system for all Californians,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin.

The package also includes accountability measures to stabilize transit systems and retool long-term operations. As part of these efforts, CalSTA has established the Transit Transformation Task Force to develop policy recommendations aimed at growing ridership, improving the transit experience, and addressing long-term operational needs.