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Successful Ballot Measures Mean Improved Public Transit Service; 79 Percent of Transit Measures Pass on Nov. 3
The Nov. 3 election brought good news to public transit systems across the U.S., including a comprehensive transportation measure in Seattle funded by a $930 million, nine-year property tax and a 10-year property tax to fund the introduction of Ann Arbor Area (MI) Transportation Authority (TheRide) service into neighboring Scio Township.
One component of the successful “Let’s Move Seattle” measure is targeted capital improvements to support future King County Metro Transit RapidRide BRT lines within the city. The measure also provides for improvements to roadways, including sidewalks and bike lanes that will also help public transit riders. “Less than one-third of commuters drive alone to Seattle, so making broad transportation improvements that make a  difference for buses, biking and sidewalks will really help keep this city moving,” said King County Metro Transit General Manager Kevin Desmond. “This vote continues Metro’s strong partnership with Seattle on making necessary transit improvements at a time when transit ridership throughout the county is at an all-time high.”
Scio Township voters approved the property tax of up to 0.36 mills by a two-to-one margin. TheRide will implement service in the township over a three-year period beginning May 1, according to Don Kline, integrated marketing coordinator. New public transit service in the township will serve a diverse group of riders and businesses, he added.
Seventeen counties in Utah, including six that are part of the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) service district, placed one-quarter percent sales taxes on the ballot. Among the 10 counties that approved the measures were UTA members Davis, Tooele and Weber; Box Elder and Utah counties were among those that defeated the measure and the vote is still too close to call in Salt Lake County. Forty percent of the money raised by the new tax will go to the agency.
UTA conducted outreach before the election, seeking public comments about the service people would want if the measure passed. The consensus was that people wanted more bus connections to the agency’s commuter and light rail systems; UTA planners will begin developing alternatives to present to the public.
In Flint, MI, 72 percent of voters approved a 0.6-mill property tax renewal through 2021 to fund services provided by the Mass Transportation Authority (MTA). “The recent renewal in Flint will support the continuation of fixed-route service seven days per week,” said General Manager/Chief Executive Officer Ed Benning.
While the outcome of Proposition 1 in Snohomish County, WA, will not be known until the vote is certified Nov. 24, Community Transit is hopeful that the 0.3 percent sales tax increase to expand its service is on the road to success.
“It is time to get excited and turn our focus to providing a new transit legacy for Snohomish County,” said Community Transit Chief Executive Officer Emmett Heath. “Whether you voted for the proposition or not, and whether you use public transit or not, we plan to deliver a better transportation experience for all residents.”
Heath said the agency plans to use reserve funds to begin implementing service improvements in March. Collection of the new sales tax would not begin until April and the agency would not see new revenue until June; the agency plans to implement a “substantial” service increase in the fall that will require the hiring of additional drivers, mechanics and other employees.
Voters in Salem, OR, decisively defeated a .21 percent payroll tax that would have funded weekend and evening bus service. Local businesses would have been able to deduct the tax on their federal tax forms.
“We are very disappointed at this election result,” said Bob Krebs, president of the Salem-Keizer Transit Board of Directors. “After years of citizen requests to reinstate Saturday bus service with extended hours and days, we found there was not strong voter support to pass the measure. This failure means we remain at status quo, with no change in operation.”
Krebs continued, “Salem-Keizer Transit is committed to providing the best bus service possible using available resources. Unfortunately, this means operations will still be restricted to five days a week with service ending at 9 p.m. The board of directors is committed to look for additional funding options to enhance bus service to the community.”
For more information about the elections, click here.
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