The measure, also known as Senate Bill 63, would raise $1 billion annually for public transit service\u00a0across five Bay Area counties<\/a>. Approximately $264 million would go to VTA annually until the tax ends after 14 years.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that it had so many signatures is really due to something that\u2019s unusual for a lot of ballot measures, which is you mostly had volunteer signature gatherers,\u201d VTA Board Chair and Campbell Councilmember Sergio Lopez told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight, speaking for himself. \u201cThe campaign met a high threshold for signatures, so I think that really speaks to the commitment of writers and advocates of the measure.\u201d<\/p>\n Agencies such as VTA and BART are the main ways to get around on public transit, but they are struggling with multiyear budget deficits.<\/p>\n VTA\u00a0surpassed record ridership expectations<\/a> with Super Bowl 60 in February and again last month<\/a> with World Cup matches at Levi\u2019s Stadium, but projects a $15 million deficit by 2027<\/a>. BART on April 17\u00a0reported<\/a>\u00a0a 10% year-over-year surge in trips this month, but faces an annual structural deficit of $350 million to $400 million. The agency\u00a0has warned<\/a>\u00a0it might close 15 stations with a 70% reduction in service if the proposed tax measure fails.<\/p>\n A\u00a0November poll<\/a> ranked Santa Clara County as having the lowest voter support for the initiative out of all five counties, which includes Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and San Francisco.<\/p>\n \u201c(Public) transportation is for people who can\u2019t afford a large gas tank or don\u2019t have a car that functions,\u201d San Jose resident Salvador Solis told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cIf you raise taxes when you have individuals who are lower on the poverty line, they can\u2019t purchase wholesale anything.\u201d<\/p>\n Solis said he\u2019s surprised things haven\u2019t been done to lower costs for people impacted the most and doesn\u2019t see how increasing taxes is going to help people who depend on public transportation.<\/p>\n Despite those shared concerns, resident Alvina Quan said supporting public transportation is needed.<\/p>\n \u201cI think with the increase in tourism here, especially with the Super Bowl<\/a> and World Cup<\/a>, I presume other major events might happen here in the far future,\u201d Quan told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cPublic transportation might actually be really necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n The South Bay has seen numerous voter approved tax measures make it over the finish line since 2024.<\/p>\n Santa Clara County\u2019s Measure A<\/a>, a countywide five-eighth cent sales tax increase<\/a> passed by voters last November, is expected to bring in $330 million in extra revenue annually to stave off the threat of hospital closures<\/a>. There\u2019s also Measure D<\/a>, a Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority parcel tax approved by voters in June, and local municipality sales tax measures<\/a> that have been approved as stopgaps for budget deficits.<\/p>\n \u201cMyself personally, living here and struggling with the cost of living I understand firsthand there are other costs like housing in this area,\u201d Lopez said. \u201cBut I strongly believe that unlocking the potential of a strong mass transit system is essential to creating an affordable Santa Clara County.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/VTA-riders-at-Super-Bowl-1024x683.jpg\")
VTA light rail riders at Levi\u2019s Stadium in Santa Clara for Super Bowl 60 on Feb. 8, 2026. Photo courtesy of VTA.<\/p>\n![\"In-line](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/interactive-321838904008.png\")
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