The proposed fee on households with multiple vehicles would generate $9 million to improve the region’s transit system.

Katie Riordan reports on a proposal by Mayor Lee Harris of Shelby County, Tennessee, for a "sustainability fee" to expand Memphis Area Transit Authority services. The mayor says the funds will be used to improve mobility for low-income, transit-dependent residents while also addressing environmental issues.
For households with more than two vehicles, the proposal originally would have been a $145 fee per additional vehicle. The mayor recently updated the proposal so that the fee would apply only to the third vehicle registered at an address.
Riordan says the public response to the plan has generally been positive, though concerns have been raised about the additional financial burden on households and businesses and the ability of MATA to use the funds effectively.
"Harris, who believes his proposal to be a first step towards transforming Memphis’ transit system, wants the $9 million to help increase the frequency of buses on eight established routes and create a new express airport shuttle, which is in line with the city’s 3.0 transit plan," writes Riordan.
FULL STORY: Mayor Harris Adjusts "Sustainability Fee" Proposal for Public Transit

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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