Public Transit Funding

A SEPTA R5 commuter train heading for Doylestown, Pennsylvania from Lansdale station.

States 'Switching Tracks' to Avoid Public Transit Fiscal Cliff

The influx of federal emergency money used to keep public transit operational during the COVID pandemic will end this year. States and transit agencies across the country are searching for alternative funding sources.

February 13, 2024 - The Center Square

Regional Transit

California Could Cut $2 Billion in Transit Spending

The governor’s proposed budget would slash public transit investment to help make up for a projected $22.5 billion deficit.

January 17, 2023 - Sfist

Houston Light Rail

Houston Needs More Public Transit Funding, Report Finds

While ridership dropped during the pandemic, many 'essential workers' continued to rely on Houston Metro's services, signaling the crucial role of public transit for the city's economy.

October 14, 2021 - The Houston Chronicle

Highway Interchange

Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal Compromise Includes Cuts to Transit and 'Human Infrastructure'

An agreement laid out last week by the White House and Republican lawmakers makes dramatic cuts to funding for public transit, rail, and "human infrastructure" projects while leaving highway funding almost intact.

June 29, 2021 - Diana Ionescu

Cleveland, Ohio

Ohio Legislators Restore Public Transit Funding

The state legislature has largely reversed Gov. DeWine's cuts to public transit in the state, but advocates argue the new plan doesn't go far enough to address the needs of transit-dependent residents.

April 1, 2021 - Ohio Capital Journal

Virginia's New 395 Express Lanes Guaranteed to Fund Public Transit

The $500 million, eight-mile extension, mostly paid by private funds and express lane tolls, broke ground August 9. Transurban, the private company in the public-private partnership, will pay $15 million annually for public transit improvements.

August 14, 2017 - Planetizen

Colorado Town to Fund Transit…By Taxing Skiers

Here's a novel approach to funding transit only available to a lucky few communities that happen to be located on the side of a ski mountain: taxing lift tickets.

November 5, 2015 - Summit Daily

Seattle Voters To Be Put To Transit Test in November

Will a large city do what its county voters refused to do—fund the county bus system, though largely within city limits? Seattle voters will be put to the test in November when asked to pay an annual $60 vehicle fee and 0.1% sales tax.

July 20, 2014 - The Seattle Times

New Seattle Bus Funding Initiative Addresses City-Suburb Split

It's a pattern seen as recently as two years ago in metro Atlanta: a crucial transit measure wins in the central city but dies in the more populous suburbs. The fix is to craft a city-only transit initiative—just what advocates in Seattle will do.

April 28, 2014 - KUOW

Seattle Area Voters Resoundingly Reject Transit Initiative

With 55 per cent of the vote, King County voters on April 22 opposed increasing their sales tax by one-tenth of one per cent and increasing an annual auto registration fee by $60. 72 Metro Transit bus routes will be eliminated.

April 24, 2014 - Q13 Fox News

Ontario Contemplates "Green Bonds" to Pay for Transit

While Canada’s most populous province continues its heated transit funding debate, Premier Kathleen Wynne recently suggested green bonds as a potential revenue tool. Don Curren sheds light on the bonds and how they might get transit projects rolling.

November 4, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Wanted: Funding Source for Transit Investment in Canada’s Largest City

Additional sales taxes, increased property taxes, and a tax on commercial parking spaces are just some of the 11 funding options being considered to pay for a long overdue transit expansion in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

September 22, 2013 - The Toronto Star

Mass. Gas Tax Hike Bill Vetoed: Not Big Enough!

In an unusual move for governors loath to increase gas taxes, Mass. Governor Deval Patrick vetoed a bill not because it would raise and index gas taxes by three cents, but because the increase may not be big enough if Rt. 90 tolls are eliminated.

July 23, 2013 - Boston Examiner

Wash. Gas Tax Legislation Fails in Senate, Killing Columbia River Crossings

Wash. state senate Republicans dealt a crushing blow to governors of both Wash. and Ore. by killing a 10.5-cent gas tax bill needed to tap $850 million in federal funds to finance rebuilding of two, obsolete I-5 spans over the Columbia River.

July 8, 2013 - The Columbian

MTA Commuter Tax Pits New York City Against Suburbs

The 12-county downstate commuter tax is vilified by many living outside New York City - forced to pay a payroll tax to support transit that they may not use. They sued the MTA and won last August, but MTA had the ruling reversed on appeal on June 26.

June 30, 2013 - Second Ave. Sagas

Is Public Transit Addictive?

Recent studies seem to indicate that public transportation is habit-forming, and, as Brad Plumer notes, that may not be a good thing.

May 21, 2012 - The Washington Post

Transit Usage Increases While Subsidies Decrease

It's the best and worst times for public transit. More travelers are turning to transit, but without additional subsidies, public transit across the U.S. is hurting. This editorial look toward the federal government to increase transit funding

January 2, 2012 - The New York Times - Sunday Review

Dublin May Opt for BRT Over Rail Expansion

An expansion of Dublin's light rail system (DART) has been put on hold by Ireland's Transport Minister, who is ditching the idea in favor of a bus rapid transit system.

September 29, 2011 - Irish Independent

Credit Crisis May Force Metro to Pay Millions

Metro and 30 other transit agencies across the country may have to pay billions of dollars to large banks as years-old financing deals unravel, potentially hurting service for millions of bus and train riders, transit officials said yesterday.

October 28, 2008 - Washington Post

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