Editor's Note: Many voters across the country have willingly taxed themselves in order to fund major expansions of transit systems in recent years. This week's excerpt from Are We There Yet? explores this trend and the examples of Denver and Los Angeles. Unfortunately, as the report explains, in many places the dollars for construction have not been matched by funding for operations, a problem proving particularly hard on systems serving low-income, transit-dependent populations.
Visit the Are We There Yet? home Voters have proved to be enthusiastic supporters of transit ... and have stepped up to tax themselves in order to make up for the shortfall in state and federal funding. Twenty-three sales tax measures for transit were passed in 16 states in the 2008 election. These sales tax measures are sometimes criticized as regressive because they impose a greater burden on lower-income families. Many states mitigate this by…

Editor's Note: Transit ridership is growing and communities across the nation have been responding with new transit systems and major expansions, with mayors often leading the way. But as this week's excerpt from Are We There Yet? illustrates, and recent updates to the Transit Space Race underline, federal funding is falling further behind what is necessary.
Visit the Are We There Yet? home Interest in transit has boomed during the past two decades, and transit ridership is up 13 percent since 2000. The American Public Transportation Association, in its 2011 analysis of transit use, found that “Americans took 10.4 billion trips on public transportation in 2011, the second highest annual ridership since 1957. Only ridership in 2008, when gas rose to more than $4 a gallon, surpassed last year’s ridership.” Regions across the country are responding by building new…

T4America will host a special online presentation on May 16th to get the inside scoop on state transportation funding proposals from the people making these changes happen.

President's FY14 Budget Today the President released his FY14 budget. This package of proposals is the Administration’s annual request to Congress. Congress will have the ultimate decision-making power over what programs get funded as they develop appropriations bills later this year. Many of the proposals in the budget will face a steep uphill climb in Congress. A short summary of the Key Proposals in the Administration's FY14 Budget for Transit, TOD, and Sustainable Communities is available here. John Robert Smith Comments On Budget A statement of John Robert Smith, President and CEO of Reconnecting America, on the Administration's Proposed FY14 Budget is available here. Reconnecting America provides occasional updates on federal activities related to transit, TOD, and sustainable communities. Updates may include key legislative or regulatory actions, grant opportunities, relevant resources, or original…

FTA Joint Development Proposed Circular After much anticipation, the Federal Transit Administration released its Joint Development Proposed Circular today. The proposed circular defines the term "joint development", explains eligible activities for FTA funding, describes the legal requirements applicable to the acquisition, use and disposition of FTA funded real property, and outlines the most common crosscutting requirements. The FTA is requesting comments on the proposed circular until April 5, 2013. Federal Register Link Download Joint Development Proposed Circular National Online Dialogue FTA has announced an online dialog seeking ideas on how to effectively include transit operators on…

Reconnecting America has released two documents related to the Federal Transit Administration's New Starts / Small Starts final rule and proposed policy guidance. The first is a broad overview of key features of the rule, along with a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). The second provides a detailed look at the changes to the project justification criteria and FTA's new methodology for evaluating and rating projects.

In January, Transportation for America released Making the Most of MAP-21, a 109-page handbook that explains the many changes in federal transportation policy — positive and negative — and outlines how local officials and advocates can help get involved and urge states to make sure that MAP-21 — Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century — money is used for the priorities of local communities. On Feb. 27, Transportation for America held a webinar focused on helping rural communities to take advantage of the MAP-21 changes. Among the speakers was Reconnecting America's President and CEO John Robert Smith.

When you get annoyed with people you tell them to take a hike, or get outta town.  In my case, I’d like to tell CNN to take a ride, in particular, a train ride; even more specific, a loooong train ride across America through big cities and small towns. I’d be happy to escort them.