News Release

November 5, 2008

contacts:

Virginia Miller
(202) 496-4816
mwilliams@apta.com

(Download In Adobe PDF format)

At a rate of 72 percent, voters across the country in 16 states approved 23 measures out of 32 state and local public transit-related ballot initiatives, authorizing expenditures approximating $75 billion.

“It is significant to note that in a time of economic uncertainty, more than 70 percent of transit-related ballot measures passed as people voted to raise public revenue in order to improve public transportation,” said American Public Transportation Association President William W. Millar. “Americans understand that public transportation has many benefits. Taking public transportation is the quickest way to beat high gas prices and save money. It is also one of the most effective actions a person can take to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change.”

“It is significant to note that in a time of economic uncertainty, more than 70 percent of transit-related ballot measures passed as people voted to raise public revenue in order to improve public transportation,” said American Public Transportation Association President William W. Millar. “Americans understand that public transportation has many benefits. Taking public transportation is the quickest way to beat high gas prices and save money. It is also one of the most effective actions a person can take to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change.”

A statewide California ballot initiative that passed included $9.95 billion in bonds to finance high speed rail in California. In Los Angeles, a $40 billion measure passed that will finance new and existing bus and rail lines, along with other transportation projects. In the Seattle area, people voted to expand commuter rail and express bus service and to create a 55 mile light rail system by approving $17.8 billion, and in Honolulu, $3.7 billion was approved for a commuter rail system. The Western Reserve Transit Authority in Youngstown, OH was saved from shutting down by a positive vote by Mahoning County residents. Additionally, the results of one ballot initiative in Santa Clara County, CA is still pending.

According to the Center for Transportation Excellence (CFTE), 12 measures raising $40 million annually for local public transit systems were approved earlier this year. Adding yesterday’s election totals to this earlier amount means that at least $75.4 billion for public transportation was approved by voters in 2008.

For a complete list of 2008 transportation state and local ballot initiatives, go to the CFTE website at www.cfte.org

***

APTA is a nonprofit international association of more than 1,500 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.

Some of these pages may include links to documents in the Adobe PDF format. Please download the Adobe PDF reader if you have not already done so.