CALIFORNIA February 19, 2026 — Governor Gavin Newsom has authorized a $590 million state loan to stabilize public transit services across the Bay Area, providing critical relief to agencies facing budget shortfalls as ridership recovers from the pandemic.
In a Thursday evening post on X, Newsom emphasized the vital role of regional transit: “Bay Area transit is essential to California’s economy, workforce, and climate goals. That’s why I’m authorizing a $590 million loan to help stabilize Bay Area transit services as ridership continues to recover from the pandemic.”
The post featured a short video showing Newsom aboard a BART train, signing the authorization document on a clipboard while surrounded by smiling transit officials, legislators, and supporters. The group applauded as he held up the signed paper in celebration.
The emergency funding will support major operators including BART, San Francisco Muni, Caltrain, and AC Transit, helping to prevent drastic service cuts that had been warned of in recent months. The loan, administered through the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), uses previously awarded but unallocated state funds and is expected to bridge agencies until longer-term solutions, such as potential voter-approved measures, can be implemented.
Transit advocates and local leaders hailed the move as a lifeline that preserves service for millions of monthly riders and supports California’s environmental and economic objectives.
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