Overview
- Facing a projected $376 million deficit by fiscal 2027, staff outlined a phased timeline starting with 10 closures in January 2027, a 30% fare increase and reduced frequencies, followed by five more closures and up to a 50% fare hike in July 2027.
- The initial closure list targets low-ridership stops such as Castro Valley, North Concord, Oakland International Airport, Orinda, Pittsburg Center, San Bruno, South Hayward, South San Francisco, Warm Springs and West Dublin/Pleasanton.
- Data reviewed by reporters show roughly 12% of riders would be affected in Phase 1 and that one in eight trips last year ended at stations slated for Phase 2.
- Deeper cut scenarios include halting service at 9 p.m., 30-minute headways and as many as 1,200 layoffs, with leaders warning high fixed costs limit savings from service reductions.
- After Thursday’s workshop, directors asked for revisions and plan a late-February vote on the contingency plan, while a November sales-tax measure remains the primary path to avoid the cuts.