Mass Transit magazine features agency profiles, industry trends, management tips and new product information.
Issue link: https://masstransit.epubxp.com/i/420594
34 | Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | NOVEMBER 2014 PUBLISHER'S COMMENT Advertiser's Index Alexander Dennis ...........................2 Alpina Manufacturing .................33 Alstom ............................................. 11 Atkins Global ................................. 15 Axis Communications ................. 16 Daktronics ...................................... 19 EDM ................................................. 31 Electro-Motive Diesel ....................3 GMT International ........................ 18 Grand Rock Co. .............................. 14 Irwin Car & Equipment .................17 LTK Engineering Services ........... 24 Media Frame JLT.......................... 24 National Railway Supply ............ 21 Noble Pine Products .................... 31 ORX ................................................ 36 Seon Design ..................................... 7 Snake Tray .................................... 29 Transdev North America ............. 10 USHSR ........................................... 35 Vehicle And Track Events........... 25 Western Cullen Hayes ................. 29 ZF Group ...........................................5 ocal transit initiatives were the big winners in the midterm elections in November. Across the country, voters exhibited overwhelming support for improved transit and a willingness to pay for it. As ridership has steadily increased year af- ter year, a broad base of transit customers know frsthand the value they receive by investing in their local service. In the past decade, nearly 75 percent of ballot measures raising taxes to fund transit improvements have passed. Strong messaging by the winning side appears to have had its intended effect and proposals passed with large margins. For example, the MARTA expansion referendum for a 1 percent sales tax increase passed with 73 percent approval and Seattle's King County Metro will expand bus service funded by a 0.1 percent sales tax increase. On the other hand, a fourth of the proposi- tions failed, many by equally strong no votes — Polk County, Florida's 1 percent tax increase and Austin, Texas' light rail line proposal going down in defeat. Some credit for transit's increasing popularity and resultant friendly voters, must go to changing demographics and the better delivery of services. Real-time arrival signs and smartphone apps, op- timized routing through management software programs, convenient fare collection and more customer amenities, such as Wi-Fi, have earned the loyalty of voters and a willingness to invest in their community's transit service. What will it take to transfer local enthusiasm and support for improved transit to the feder- al level, where the vast majority of funding is appropriated? Good old-fashioned advocacy. Te American Public Transportation Association (APTA) provides advocacy guidance and ongoing communications programs to assist you in edu- cating your congressmen and the general public about the the importance of transit. Check it out at apta.com. Transit Wins at the Polls Voters across the U.S. support transit at the polls, but more work needs to be done at the federal level. John Hollenhorst, Publisher L Voters know the importance of investing in local transit. SUCCESS IN local transit funding initiatives needs to expand to a national level to improve federal funding. iStockphoto