After months of deliberation, VTA is joining five major Bay Area transit agencies in supporting a regional funding measure planned for the 2026 ballot.

The VTA board of directors on Thursday voted unanimously to opt into Senate Bill 63, which would allow transit agencies or voter initiatives to put a regional half-cent sales tax on the 2026 ballot. VTA employees projected the tax could bring in $264 million annually over its 14-year span — an enticing financial boost as the agency grapples with looming multimillion-dollar deficits.

Some directors, including Vice Chair and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, also stressed the need to look for other funding mechanisms, which was echoed by VTA Assistant General Manager Greg Richardson.

“We have to got to do something to change what is being shown a

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