Debate On Over MTC Use Of Federal Transportation Dollars

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) — Millions of dollars in federal transportation funds are San Francisco-bound, but youth advocates want it to be used for low-income youth passes to ride Muni buses for free.

The advocates made their voices heard in Oakland outside the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) building on Wednesday; San Francisco Supervisor David Campos insisted that the MTA already approved a free pass for low-income youth.

"They said find a source of income at the MTC and so we did. That approval has been made. Now it's just a matter of moving forward and implementing the program," said Campos.

Earlier this summer the MTC did not fund the program.

KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports:

The San Francisco-bound money is $6.7 million of $15 million in federal funding allocated for the entire Bay Area. Local transit agencies then decide how to use the money.

Supervisor Scott Wiener contested his fellow supervisor's point of view.

"I personally believe Muni should use this money to fix its vehicles that are broken down, to fix its equipment, to become more reliable, to have better service for the entire population," he said.

Muni is the largest transit agency as measured by ridership in the Bay Area.

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