Americans overwhelmingly support new transportation investments
November 20, 2008By Stephen Lee Davis
The results of November’s Presidential election may have represented a change for our country, but at least one trend at the ballot box remained unchanged from the past few elections: Taxpayers across the country approved a bevy of ballot measures to expand public transportation, commuter rail, bike and pedestrian access, and other innovative transportation projects.
It’s perhaps most telling that even in a time of brutal economic crises and expensive gas, taxpayers voted for 14 initiatives that will raise their taxes. In short, we seem to be collectively tired of business-as-usual — more highways, all the time, resulting in only more congestion, with no coherent vision for world-class transportation in our cities and communities — and we are willing to pay out of our own pockets for solutions that can get us out of traffic and keep us moving. Hit the jump for the details.
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Denny Zane on Measure R and Transit in L.A. County
November 19, 2008By Andrew Bielak
When people think about Los Angeles County, images of high-speed subway lines extending to the sea and sleek light-rail cars passing through dense transit-oriented development are generally not the first things to pop into their heads.
But thanks to the November 4 approval of Ballot Measure R – a half-cent sales tax increase expected to generate $40 billion for transportation improvements, largely in transit, over the next 30 years – L.A. County’s reputation as the epicenter of sprawling development and automobile culture could be set for a major overhaul.
Denny Zane (right), a longtime community activist and former mayor of Santa Monica, helped lead the fight to win support for Measure R by heading up Move L.A., a coalition of labor, business, and environmental groups that saw a common interest in battling climate change, reducing congestion, and improving transportation options in the region.
In a phone interview this week, Zane spoke to Transportation for America about the process of building a unified front for the effort, the challenges in getting the measure on the November ballot, and the future for Los Angeles County and Move L.A.
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Backers push bullet-train measure as a dramatic change in California transportation
October 16, 2008By Andrew Bielak
A measure set to appear on California’s November 4 ballot could pave the way for the construction of a high-speed rail line — and help to link the state’s big cities, foster job growth, and attack climate change and oil dependence. (Eric Bailey — Los Angeles Times)
Yes on California bonds
October 3, 2008By Andrew Bielak
The Los Angeles Times editorial board pushes hard for a measure on the state’s ballot this November to authorize $9.95 billion in bonds for a high-speed bullet train linking Northern and Southern California.
L.A. County sales tax hike for transit hits roadblock
August 8, 2008By Andrew Bielak
Voters in Los Angeles County could decide in November to increase their sales tax by half a cent to pay for transit improvements — that is, if their Board of Supervisors gives them a chance to decide.
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- T4 America co-chair testifies before Senate on rural transportation
March 18, 2010 - Atlanta-area transit system 14 days from shutting down, 2 million rides disappearing
March 17, 2010 - U.S. Transportation Department makes good on promise to ensure our streets are made safer
March 16, 2010 - Obama’s livability programs help rural America too
March 16, 2010 - Transit grants out the federal door, but what about the cuts?
March 8, 2010
- T4 America co-chair testifies before Senate on rural transportation
The United States of Transit Cutbacks
Driving is down and transit ridership is at record highs. Yet transit agencies across the country are considering layoffs, service cuts and fare hikes. Find out more and learn what you can do to help at t4america.org/transitcuts
Transportation: In your eyes
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