But Heminger said transit service cuts could be politically costly, too, as Muni joins with other Bay Area transit operators and officials to craft at least one ballot measure next year that would raise taxes to help pay for transit operating expenses and improve service regionwide.
“We’re going to need partners at the ballot box in the not-too-distant future,” Heminger said. “That’s for Muni as well as Caltrain and BART and everybody and their brother. … I would be very leery of reducing service in the face of that and perhaps provoking a reaction from the public that is not going to help us pass those measures.”
Julie Kirschbaum, the SFMTA’s interim executive director, promised to come back to the board with alternatives to the Muni service cuts. She said that with future annual deficits forecast to soar above $300 million, virtually every aspect of the agency’s budget is already under scrutiny.
“We’re looking at every contract, we’re looking at all of our positions, we are looking at any capital projects that could potentially be deferred or redefined to bring you choices,” Kirschbaum said.
An initiative to collect more bus and train revenue by stepping up fare inspections has been successful and enabled Muni to meet this year’s budget targets, Kirschbaum said. She added that the SFMTA is bringing on 28 new parking control officers, already included in the current budget, and considering a range of new pricing and enforcement strategies to increase revenue.
“So we’re stretching everything to try to meet this challenge,” Kirschbaum said.
The SFMTA board will get its next look at budget proposals on Feb. 18. The transportation agency hopes to settle on a plan for budget reductions by the end of next month.