Transit News
November 8, 2006
Virginia Miller
(202) 496-4816
vmiller@apta.com
(Download In Adobe PDF Format)
In yesterday’s elections, voters continued a trend of overwhelmingly voting for local and state transportation initiatives, even though it means taxing themselves to expand their transportation systems and options.
Voters in 13 states in different regions of the country yesterday approved 21 out of 30 state and local transit-related ballot initiatives authorizing expenditures approximating $40 billion. (Additionally, the results of three ballot initiatives are pending.)
By overwhelmingly passing state and local transit-related ballot initiatives, Americans have made it clear to their elected officials that they want broader travel choices. People from all parts of the United States want more public transportation and the success of transportation ballot initiatives this year and in recent years demonstrates this.
In addition, the fact that public transportation ridership continues to increase is another indicator of the public desire for new and expanded public transit systems. From 1995-2005, transit ridership grew by 25.1% and 3.2% in the first six months of this year alone.
Clearly, yesterday’s election results show that public transportation is very important to the American people. I applaud everyone who worked hard to pass these initiatives and thank the voters for their vote of confidence in transit.
For a complete list of 2006 transit-related ballot initiatives, go to www.cfte.org.
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APTA is a nonprofit international association of 1,600 member organizations including public transportation systems; planning, design, construction and finance firms; product and service providers; academic institutions; and state associations and departments of transportation. APTA members serve the public interest by providing safe, efficient and economical public transportation services and products. APTA members serve more than 90 percent of persons using public transportation in the United States and Canada.
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