Did you ride Muni last year? Thanks! Yesterday our finance folks were justifiably pleased to announce that the SFMTA’s credit ratings got a bump for the third time this year. In addition to including great phrases like “fiscally judicious” and “trend of positive financial results,” the press release points out that you may share responsibility for this good news. The credit rating agencies consider Muni an “essential service” because of the more than 250 million trips the transit system carried in fiscal year 2014. Being essential shows that we're a safe bet. So, indeed, thank you for riding Muni!
And all of San Francisco should thank you too. The great ratings make our bonds (which we happen to be issuing for the third time later this month) very attractive on the market. These funds help get critical capital projects moving faster. So, along with the general obligation bond passed by voters to the tune of 71 percent on Nov. 4 (Thank you, SF voters!), this money will help us improve Muni and all San Francisco transportation.
The full release is below.
Credit Agencies Upgrade SFMTA Revenue Bonds to Highest in Nation for a Transit Agency
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s have both upgraded San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) in anticipation of a $75 million revenue bond issuance mid-month to help fund critical capital projects.
The combined ratings upgrades catapult the SFMTA and its revenue bonds above every other transit agency nationwide. Tom Nolan, Chairman of the SFMTA Board of Directors, commented: “this is an unprecedented advancement for the SFMTA because it’s the third credit rating upgrade in the past year.” Mr. Nolan goes on to state that the Agency’s “extremely strong economic fundamentals coupled with fiscally judicious management of policies and practices is active proof to both rating agencies that San Francisco’s infrastructure is a sound investment.”
Both credit rating agencies highlighted several factors that account for the SFMTA’s credit rating upgrade including:
- A steady trend of positive financial results and strong financial policies
- SFMTA budget process clearly outlined in the City Charter
- Limited plans for the issuance of new debt
- The strength of the city and regional economies
Central to both upgrades is Muni’s ridership. In fact, 225 million passengers chose Muni in fiscal year 2014. With nearly 45 percent of all Bay Area transit passengers riding Muni vehicles, the rating agencies consider transit an “essential service” for the City.
Moody’s, as it commonly known, assigns credit ratings on a scale from Aaa (the highest quality) to C (the lowest). The SFMTA’s revenue bond rating rose from an Aa3 rating to Aa2.
Standard & Poor’s, or S&P, assigns credit ratings from BBB (adequate) to AAA (extremely strong). S&P has raised SFMTA from an already impressive AA- to AA.
Copies of the detailed ratings are available on the SFMTA website under Investor Relations.