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A Route 130 SamTrans bus parked at the Daly City BART Station, a key regional transit connection hub in San Mateo County.
Media Contact: Randol White, 415-515-7624
The SamTrans Board of Directors is weighing whether to join a proposed 2026 regional transit measure, enabled by Senate Bill 63, after reviewing new polling data showing strong voter interest in funding local and regional transportation priorities.
At its July meeting, the Board discussed how the measure could help maintain SamTrans, Caltrain, and other Bay Area transit services while supporting local infrastructure investments for road maintenance, pothole repair, and congestion relief.
The proposed regional measure would apply a new sales tax in participating counties for a period of 10 to 15 years, still to be finalized. San Mateo County may opt in at either a ¼-cent or ½-cent rate. At the ½-cent level, the measure could generate up to $120 million annually in San Mateo County to support SamTrans, Caltrain, BART, Muni and other regional transit efforts.
If placed on the ballot as a citizens’ initiative, the regional measure would require only a simple majority — 50 percent plus one — to pass. In contrast, extending the county’s existing Measure A transportation sales tax would require support from at least two-thirds of voters.
Polling conducted in May 2025 by EMC Research surveyed 2,400 likely voters in San Mateo County to gauge support for four potential transportation-related sales tax measures. All four received majority support.
The extension of Measure A without a tax increase was the only measure to reach the two-thirds threshold required for local passage, while the proposed regional measure — which could only require a simple majority — polled well within range to qualify for approval.
Although voters are sensitive to the cost burden of any tax increase, they expressed similar levels of support for a potential ⅛-cent, ¼-cent, or ½-cent increase. Key findings from the poll include:
- Strong baseline support for transportation investment: About 60% of voters said they would support a tax increase for transit and transportation priorities, with most focused on preserving transit service, reducing traffic, and repairing roads.
- Minimal difference in agency support: Voters expressed similar levels of support for funding SamTrans, Caltrain and BART, with local and regional connectivity cited as top priorities.
- Oversight matters: Voters emphasized the need for accountability, transparency and clear local benefits.
The Board is also considering side agreements with BART and Muni to ensure San Mateo County receives appropriate service levels, infrastructure improvements, and protections from disproportionate surcharges if they opt into the regional measure.
The SamTrans Board is expected to vote on whether to opt into the Regional Measure on August 6. The deadline to join is August 11.
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The San Mateo County Transit District operates 74 routes and two on-demand service areas. Funded in part by a half-cent sales tax, the district also provides administrative support for Caltrain and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority. SamTrans has provided bus service to San Mateo County customers since 1976.
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