Bay Area and Los Angeles lawmakers are requesting $2 billion to ensure public transit systems are prepared to handle large crowds for upcoming major sporting events.

California is set to host the World Cup, the Super Bowl, and the Olympics in the coming years, but transit agencies like BART and San Francisco Muni are facing severe financial challenges.

Jim Wunderman, president and CEO of the Bay Area Council, warned that several transit systems are nearing a financial crisis and may be forced to cut services if additional funding isn’t secured soon.

Bay Area officials are analyzing economic data from recent events like the NBA All-Star Weekend and Chinese New Year celebrations, which drew massive crowds and demonstrated the importance of a well-functioning transit system. During that weekend, BART recorded nearly 140,000 fares, setting a post-pandemic record for weekend ridership. Weekday ridership is also climbing, with more than 191,000 passengers on Tuesday, but it remains well below pre-pandemic levels of 400,000 daily riders. Unlike many public transit systems in other states, BART relies heavily on fare revenue, which covers 70% of its budget, rather than state subsidies.

State Sen. Jesse Arreguin noted that without a financial solution, BART could face station closures, service reductions, and layoffs as early as 2026. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency has already scaled back some bus lines to cut costs.

Leaders emphasize that a strong public transit system is crucial for the Bay Area’s post-pandemic recovery and will be essential when massive crowds arrive for the upcoming sporting events.

To address these concerns, lawmakers are seeking $2 billion from the state, which would help stabilize funding for BART and Muni while also supporting capital improvements for Los Angeles Metro. The funds would be allocated over two years to enhance transit infrastructure ahead of the Super Bowl, World Cup, and 2028 Olympics.

Officials caution that securing federal funding may be unlikely given the current political climate in Washington, D.C., meaning California may have to rely on its own resources to keep its public transportation systems running smoothly.