Bay Area Transit Systems Want More Money. But Their Payrolls Soared as Ridership Declined

• BART’s workforce expanded while ridership plummeted 57% since 2019.
• Bay Area transit systems seek $500 million annually through new sales tax.
• Employee costs now consume 54% of BART’s operating expenses.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit five years ago, the state forced countless businesses to shut down and told millions of California workers to stay home.

By Dan Walters

CalMatters…

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