Public transportation initiatives throughout the United States won big on this year’s election day, with the passage of 87.5 percent of transit ballot initiatives.
Public transit includes bus, commuter rail, intercity and high-speed passenger rail, light rail, paratransit, subways, and waterborne services.
“Americans voted with their wallets by taxing themselves to support increased funding for public transportation,” Richard White, American Public Transportation Association (APTA) acting president and CEO, said. “Voters clearly see the value as public transit connects customers to businesses and employees to jobs. The voters have spoken loud and clear through the ballot box that funding public transit provides their community a great return on investment.”
Among this year’s victories:
Nearly 74 percent of voters in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, approved a new sales tax to fund transportation.
Nearly 73 percent of voters in Denver, Colorado, passed a $100 million transportation bond.
Seventy-two percent of Maine voters approved a statewide transportation bond.
Nearly 70 percent of Lawrence, Kansas, voters approved a sales tax to fund transit system operations.
Sixty-one percent of Grand Rapids, Michigan, voters passed a 12-year renewal of their millage.
Nearly 60 percent of voters in Mahoning County, Ohio, voted to renew a sales tax that funds the transit system.