Bolstering the Case for Public Transit Investment by Connecting the Dots to Infrastructure

The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority wants funding to revamp its bus system, but convincing voters of a tax's necessity will require bigger thinking.

1 minute read

September 20, 2019, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


SORTA Metro

Darius Pinkston / Flickr

Chris Wetterich reports from Cincinnati: "Hamilton County has more than $1.17 billion in planned infrastructure projects along Metro bus routes, according to a new study commissioned by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber."

"The chamber released the analysis on Tuesday night to bolster the case for a countywide sales tax levy that would boost spending on road, bridge and sidewalk projects along with the Metro bus system, which is run by the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority."

According to the political calculus of the effort, connecting transportation tax money to broader infrastructure issues will help convince voters who have historically proven skeptical of public transit to approve the tax.

SORTA is still trying to figure out the final details of a proposed tax, but most of the revenue generated by the tax would be spent on the regional bus system.

"Metro has said it would take a 0.7% sales tax to implement its Reinventing Metro plan, which calls for 24-hour service along some corridors, more-frequent service along most routes, new crosstown routes and neighborhood circulators, and bus-rapid transit, a rail-like bus service with limited stops, stations, traffic signal priority and dedicated lanes," according to Wetterich.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019 in Cincinnati Business Courier

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.