The SFMTA announced in April that it had secured a budget for the next two years, avoiding cuts of up to 20 lines and more while the agency faces a financial crisis. But for riders with physical disabilities, that uncertainty still looms overhead. 

“The reality in a place like San Francisco is that public transportation is really important to the infrastructure of the entire city,” Lana Nieves, the executive director of the Independent Living Resource Center, says. “But especially for people with disabilities who are looking to live independent lives. Being able to be mobile and use public transportation is just key.”

The SFMTA says it is depending on two measures on the ballot this November, as well as revenue from operations and cost-saving strategies used by the agency. But if the two measures are unable to pass, the agency says it will likely have to eliminate upwards of 20 lines, potentially double wait times on popular routes, reduce nighttime service by 60% and reduce or eliminate street car services. 

Around 1 in 10 San Franciscans are disabled, according to the SF Department of Disability and Aging services. Some residents say that these cuts would be detrimental to their overall well-being. 

“Because we rely on these systems and structures that means one of our only options for getting around is public transportation,” Rosemary McDonnell-Horita, a disability justice advocate and wheelchair user, says. “And when they’re not accessible, that means people can’t get to their doctor’s appointments. People can’t go to see their family. People can’t get to work.”

To hear more about the cuts, ballot measures and an in-depth look into how disabled Bay Area residents are navigating uncertainty, listen to the episode above.