Transit Decision
2016 $200 Billion of Transit Funding on the Line
The stakes are high this presidential election. Of course we
position the region for current and future transportation
probably don’t need to tell you that. But funding for public
needs. We know Measure M will be a game changer for Los
transportation just raised the stakes even higher.
Angeles and we’re excited about its potential to enhance quality of life for the people of our region.”
The American Public Transportation Authority recently reported that this upcoming Election Day will determine more than just the next leader of the free world — it will also directly impact the U.S.’s millions of public transportation riders and their communities. Voters at the November 8th election can expect to see new ballot initiatives for local infrastructure improvements. This will be seen in many cities including Los Angeles, Seattle,
…every one dollar invested in public transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns
San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Clara County, CA, Atlanta, and Columbus, OH, amounting to a total of $200 billion in national public transportation ballot initiatives. This is a much needed boost to public transportation funding,
In addition to providing a more modern experience for public transportation riders, improvements in infrastructure
which has been severely lacking in recent years. Dramatic
could also mean a boost for local economies. According to
programs reduced public transportation funding to its lowest
approximately $4 in economic returns. With these ballot
budget cuts have been occurring for quite some time, and back the American Public Transportation Association, every one dollar invested in public transportation generates in June of 2015, new cuts to Department of Transportation in 14 years. Even though public transportation budgets have seen continued cuts throughout the years, passengers are expecting better and better riding experiences. As technology continues to innovate and mobility demands increase, users are awaiting their city’s transportation to accommodate. While there are low cost options, like mobile ticketing, that transportation agencies can implement to improve the rider experience, infrastructure remains mostly untouched. Phillip A. Washington, CEO of LA Metro, commented on what the ballot initiatives would mean for the Los Angeles community: “If we are to create modern mobility and provide transportation options for ourselves and for future generations, we must remain fiscally responsible. That’s why Measure M – the Los Angeles
initiatives, cities across the U.S. hope to spark economic growth and prosperity in their own communities. Keith Parker, General Manager and CEO of MARTA in Atlanta, GA, strongly agrees with this sentiment: “With this referendum, MARTA has a wonderful opportunity to increase mobility, create new jobs and spur economic opportunity across the city. We have worked diligently with city officials, as well as the public, to provide the voters as many options as possible for expanding MARTA in a robust way should the referendum be successful.” Let’s not forget that public transportation has even more touch points that affect city goers, including traffic congestion, pollution, and overall quality of life. Now, it’s just up to the voters. The upcoming ballot initiatives
County Traffic Improvement Plan – will appear on the Nov.
are putting the power of public transportation in the people’s
8 ballot. This bold plan came from the people, for the people,
hands — with modern transportation, local economies, and
through a collaborative process where our partners across
much more on the line, voters will have to decide how the
the county, and the general public, helped craft the way we
future of their local public transportation will look.
Transit Decision 2016 | sales@passportinc.com | www.passportinc.om
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FUNDING FOR S.E. MICHIGAN Election Day is quickly approaching, and with it brings major
the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation
decisions around our nation’s public transportation funding.
(SMART), the Ann Arbor Area Transit Authority (AAATA),
Voters across the country will be faced with ballot initiatives
and the Detroit People Mover to bring this plan into motion.
set to determine the future of their city’s public transit systems.
With this plan, RTA wants to implement a number of changes: • A Detroit to Ann Arbor passenger rail
In one of our most recent blog posts, we discussed the $200 billion in national transit funding on the line and how a number of cities are hoping to improve their local infrastructure, economies, and overall quality of life as a result. In our “Transit Decision 2016” series, we’ll dive into the cities facing these critical decisions by taking a look at the current issues they face, how they plan to improve public transit, and what the future may hold. In part one of the series, we put the spotlight on southeast Michigan: A more unified approach to regional transportation could soon be coming to southeast Michigan — if their voters approve it.
• A Bus Rapid Transit (Buses with dedicated right of way and priority signaling) • Four Commuter Express Routes • Expansion of the local bus service • Universal Fare Card • Express Airport Routes from various surrounding cities With these changes comes a price tag (20 year property tax increase adding $1.20 in taxes for every $1,000 of taxable value on a property per year), but RTA is committed to bringing this right back into the community. In the proposed plan, 85% of the money collected would be spent in same region it is collected. RTA also expects the funding to have a $6 billion economic development impact for the community. When asked about the decision to add
Today’s decision was a major step forward in moving our region towards a world-class regional transit system.
the vote to the ballot, Wayne County Executive, Warren C. Evans, showed excitement for the proposed changes: “Today’s decision was a major step forward in moving our region towards a world-class regional transit system. Today’s vote also makes progress on an intractable problem that has dogged this region for 50 years.” The real question is, will the voters see the value?
The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) is leading the proposal for a $4.7 billion plan to link public transit among counties surrounding the Detroit area. Specifically, this would mean improvements for Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw County, MI. RTA is coordinating with four different transit organizations, including the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT),
The plan originally met opposition last month after officials in Oakland and Macomb counties raised concerns, including the total revenue from the plan that would be going back into the community. After these and other items were addressed, transit supporters and local businesses’ encouragement brought the plan back to life and onto the voters’ upcoming ballots — so it’s future may be promising after all.
Transit Decision 2016 | sales@passportinc.com | www.passportinc.om
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FUNDING FOR VIRGINIA BEACH Funding for public transportation is making its way onto American voters’ ballots this Election Day, giving numerous cities across the country the opportunity to invest in the future of their transportation. A $200 billion total opportunity, to be exact. Last week we took a look into the ballot initiatives facing the voters of southeast Michigan — where officials are hoping to implement a more unified approach to regional transportation that would link public transit among counties in the
With 65% of all workers in Hampton Roads working in an area outside of where they live, and the Tide carrying more than 4,900 riders per workday, it would expand transportation options
surrounding Detroit area. In part two of our “Transit Decision 2016” series, we explore the decision facing Virginia Beach, VA, a city that’s hoping to expand its public transit into a system that residents and visitors can utilize for years to come. Virginia Beach voters will soon be asked the question: Should City Council of Virginia Beach spend local funds to extend Light Rail
However, part of the city’s vision will not be possible without funding for its public transit. The total cost estimate of this public transit expansion has yet to be finalized — but the 3.2-mile extension is
from Norfolk to Town Center in Virginia Beach?
currently pegged at $310 million, plus $19.8 million for
Virginia Beach officials hope to expand the current Tide Light
to chip in $155 million toward the project, however, voters
Rail system in order to add three new at-grade stations at Witchduck, Kellam, and Constitution. This initiative is only a part of the city’s larger vision for connectivity, convenience, and a thriving regional economy. The city’s Envision 2040 plan lays the groundwork for the city’s goals around overall quality of life in Virginia Beach come 2040 and how certain strategies and policies can help to achieve it. The vision goes into great detail about how the community will look and what residents will experience, including connectivity through the city’s public transit.
new vehicles. The Commonwealth of Virginia has agreed have their concerns. Since the total cost of the project is still not finalized, taxpayers are worried that this could cost more than they are looking to pay. Even so, Virginia Beach’s City Manager, Dave Hansen, is excited to have a decision on the referendum: “Now everyone knows what to expect in November. We look forward to seeing the results.” While increased taxes may be a concern for some, it’s hard to deny the benefit the new project would have for the community. With 65% of all workers in Hampton Roads working in an area outside of where they live, and the Tide carrying more than 4,900 riders per workday, it would expand transportation options and improve the daily lives of many.
Transit Decision 2016 | sales@passportinc.com | www.passportinc.om
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FUNDING FOR LOS ANGELES
This is a large reason for the City’s proposal of Measure M, the Los Angeles County Traffic Improvement Plan. Los Angeles County is asking voters to approve a half-cent sales tax in order to accomplish the following:
It’s the final countdown — with less than a month to go until Election Day, voters are getting ready to head to the polls and make their final decisions on who they will elect as our next president. Adding to the pressure? Voters across the country will be faced with ballot initiatives amounting to $200 billion
• Ease traffic congestion, improve freeway traffic flow, and reduce bottlenecks. • Expand rail and rapid transit system; accelerate rail constru ction and build new rail lines; enhance local, regional, and express bus service; and improve system connectivity.
in national transit funding.
• Repave local streets, repair potholes, and synchronize signals.
Over the past two weeks, we’ve explored how two different
• Embrace technology and innovation; incorporate modern technology, new advancements, and emerging innovations into the local transportation system.
areas hope to improve their local public transit system with these proposed ballot initiatives. Last week, we explored Virginia Beach’s initiative to extend the city’s Light Rail as a part of their bigger Envision 2040 plan, and if approved, is estimated at a total cost of $330 million. The week before, we saw how southeast Michigan is trying to implement a more unified approach to its regional transportation with a proposed $4.7 billion plan.
• Create jobs, reduce pollution, and generate local economic benefits. Supporters of Measure M are stressing the urgency of this plan’s approval: “We think that people understand that L.A. County is going to keep growing, and unless we take bold action, traffic will only get worse. The status quo is failing us now.” -Yusef Robb, Measure M Spokesman
According to Metro, Angelenos spend an average of 81 hours a year stuck in traffic.
Measure M is expected to generate an estimated $860 million a year in 2017 dollars, and according to the latest economic forecast by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, would add 465,690 new jobs across the region. The Los Angeles County Traffic Improvement Plan would
In the final part of our “Transit Decision” series, we take a
require funding of $61.5 billion over the next 40 years,
look at the transportation issues facing one of the biggest
however, given the city’s current traffic congestion and
cities in the U.S. — Los Angeles, CA.
potential for transit expansion, it seems like a worthwhile investment: “Right now, our transit system is a series of lines
When you think of some of the worst rush hour traffic, most
unto themselves,” said Measure M spokesman, Yusef Robb.
likely the City of Los Angeles comes to mind. Mainly, that you
“They’re very useful if you happen to live and work on either
would try to avoid driving at any cost. The City is notorious
end of them. Measure M would extend existing lines and build
for its traffic, even outside the normal rush hour commute.
new ones to a comprehensive network that’s tied together.”
According to Metro, Angelenos spend an average of 81 hours a year stuck in traffic. This congestion is predicted to only get
Stay tuned on November 8th to see if voters in Los Angeles
worse over time, with the city projected to grow by 2.3 million
County, and across the country, say yes to these proposed
people in the next 40 years.
changes to move transit funding forward.
Transit Decision 2016 | sales@passportinc.com | www.passportinc.om
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