Washington, DC

Thursday, November 05, 2009

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Virginia Miller

202-496-4816

vmiller@apta.com  

Voters Vote for Public Transportation

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 peoples' 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  

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The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is a nonprofit international association of over 1,500 public and private member organizations, including transit systems and high-speed, intercity and commuter rail operators; planning, design, construction, and finance firms; product and service providers; academic institutions; transit associations and state departments of transportation. APTA members serve the public interest by providing safe, efficient and economical transit services and products. More than 90 percent of the people using public transportation in the United States and Canada are served by APTA member systems.

Virginia Miller

Senior Manager-Media Relations

American Public Transportation Association

Washington, DC

202-496-4816