Voters Pass Pro-Transit Measures and Defeat Anti-Transit Measure

Voters passed pro-transit ballot initiatives in Colorado, Michigan, and Maine, while defeating one anti-transit measure in Ohio on November 3. Taking into account the successful passage of two additional transit-related initiatives earlier in the year, the success rate for public transportation ballot initiatives in 2009 is 70 percent.

These votes for public transportation speak loud and clear: the public wants  more public transportation service and is willing to pay for it,” said American Public Transportation Association President William Millar. “At a time when unemployment is high and economic uncertainty is foremost in people's minds, you might not expect people to tax themselves for better public transit services.  The fact that a majority of transit- related ballot initiatives passed means that people recognize the value of public transportation.”

The following areas passed transit ballot initiatives:

• Voters in Fountain, CO approved a 0.75 percent sales tax increase for transportation improvements, maintenance, and service. 
• Voters in Kalamzoo, MI approved a property tax millage of 0.6 mills, or 60 cents per $1,000 of the taxable value of property, to support public transportation.
• Voters in Flint, MI renewed an existing 0.6 mill property tax for five years to support the Mass Transportation Authority.
• Voters in Maine passed a $71.25 million statewide transportation bond that included public transit investments.

Voters in Cincinnati, OH defeated an anti-public transit measure that would have placed significant constraints on Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority’s ability to expand public transportation.

“Taking public transportation has many benefits,” said Millar.  “Public transportation creates jobs, decreases carbon emissions, reduces our dependence on oil and provides a higher quality of  life.”

For more information on these mass transit ballot initiatives, go to www.cfte.org