Committee holds multi‑agency hearing on ConnectSF, Plan Bay Area and SFTP; emphasis on West Side equity, seniors and funding

The Land Use and Transportation Committee held a multi‑agency hearing Nov. 15 to align long‑range transit planning with housing and equity goals. Presenters from the SFMTA, Planning Department, San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) and the Office of Resilience and Capital Planning outlined ConnectSF and how the San Francisco Transportation Plan (SFTP 2050) informs Plan Bay Area 2050 projections and project priorities.

SFMTA and planning officials said the city is pursuing a network that is faster and more frequent, with a long‑term objective of a 5‑minute frequent network where feasible, modernization of the rail system and targeted rail expansions on the most crowded corridors. ConnectSF presenters identified priority capital concepts including rail on Geary and Nineteenth Avenue, a new Transbay rail crossing as part of a regional Link 21 plan, a Central Subway extension, and a Caltrain station in Bayview to serve underserved neighborhoods.

Agency presenters repeatedly flagged funding constraints. SFCTA staff explained that Plan Bay Area is fiscally constrained over a 30‑year horizon and that San Francisco will need additional local revenues to seed and leverage state and federal funds for major infrastructure. The Office of Resilience and Capital Planning noted recent large bond programs and the city’s limited remaining GO bond capacity, pointing to the need for layered financing and racial equity analyses in capital decisions.

Supervisors pressed agencies on sequencing: how will transportation investments be aligned with the forthcoming housing element and RHNA allocations (the next RHNA cycle planning horizon was discussed as two cycles/16 years for some equitable distribution goals)? Several supervisors said they want transportation improvements and service guarantees in place ahead of major housing growth to avoid increasing car dependence in West Side neighborhoods. Agency staff described multi‑agency coordination mechanisms (Street Design Advisory Team, multi‑agency project teams) and grant programs (Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities) used to tie street improvements, transit priority infrastructure and affordable housing projects together.

Public comment focused heavily on seniors and people with disabilities, who described burdens from service reductions during the pandemic (increased transfers, inaccessible walks up steep hills, unreliable paratransit). Transit riders groups called for a progressive funding measure in 2022 to restore and expand Muni operations, and for quick‑build transit priority infrastructure. Commenters urged that affected communities and transit‑dependent riders be centered in planning and that the city prioritize coverage for the most vulnerable as service is restored.

The committee voted to file the hearing. Supervisors and staff said they will continue interagency coordination and outreach to aging and disability communities as the SFTP and housing element advance.