CONCORD, Calif. — Bay Area voters have made their voices heard: public transit is worth the investment. On Tuesday, voters approved the Regional Transit Measure (RTM), a 14-year sales tax expected to generate approximately $980 million annually to sustain and improve public transportation across five Bay Area counties.
The measure passed with a preliminary result of 61.5% of the vote across Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. In Contra Costa County, 56% of voters supported the measure, demonstrating local recognition of the importance of reliable public transportation.
Funding from the measure will help stabilize major transit systems, including BART, Muni, Caltrain and AC Transit, while also supporting bus transit providers throughout the region. For the bus operators that serve Contra Costa County and the Tri-Valley region of Alameda County (County Connection, LAVTA, Tri Delta Transit, and WestCAT), the funding not only means the four agencies can preserve existing service, but it opens the door to consider additional projects that expand or enhance service.
One project that comes into focus is along Interstate 680. Available funding will allow County Connection to move forward with a plan to coordinate service with LAVTA for a jointly operated, express bus between the Dublin/Pleasanton and Walnut Creek BART stations, with stops in San Ramon and Danville. This will help to fill a gap in the BART network and alleviate congestion along I-680 through the San Ramon Valley.
“County Connection connects Central Contra Costa communities to the larger regional transit network, giving residents access to jobs, education, healthcare and other essential destinations.” said Bill Churchill, General Manager of County Connection. “With the passing of RTM, this investment recognizes that a strong regional transit system depends on all of us working together. We’re grateful to voters for supporting public transportation and helping preserve these important connections for our communities.”
While much of the attention surrounding RTM focused on the region’s largest transit agencies, smaller operators like County Connection are an essential part of the Bay Area’s transportation network. County Connection connects riders to eight BART stations, as well as regional transit connections like Amtrak and ACE that help residents reach jobs, schools, medical appointments and destinations throughout the Bay Area and beyond.
Approximately two-thirds of the measure’s revenue will support service on the street directly, while roughly one-third will fund local transportation priorities. In Contra Costa County, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) may fund investments that include transit infrastructure, vehicles, service improvements and roadway maintenance on streets served by transit.
The measure also establishes additional oversight and accountability requirements, with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) conducting financial efficiency reviews of agencies benefitting from the measure, with independent oversight and required cost-saving implementation plans.
“The voters have given us a mandate and now it’s incumbent on us to deliver by being good stewards of these resources,” said Sue Noack, MTC Chair, Pleasant Hill Councilmember, and County Connection Board member. “We plan to work across agencies to identify efficiencies and ensure there is transparency so we can maintain the public’s trust.”
The Regional Transit Measure was authorized by Senate Bill 63, the Connect Bay Area Act, authored by state Senators Scott Wiener and Jesse Arreguín and signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2025. The measure establishes a 14-year sales tax of 0.5% in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, and 1% in San Francisco.