CFTE Update
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CFTE Update
January 23, 2006 - Vol. 4, No. 1
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In this issue …
• Governors Push Transit, Infrastructure Investment
• Transit Ridership Growth Continues
• Critics Attack Transit ‘Dependency’, Funding
• Commission Urges New Approach to Federal Infrastructure
Funding
• New Findings on Senior Mobility
• News Updates
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Governors Push Transit, Infrastructure Investment
• MANY SEE OPPORTUNITY FOR POLITICAL, PRACTICAL GAINS
A growing number of state chief executives, regardless of party,
region or tenure, are promoting significant new investment in infrastructure
and transit. The move comes on the heels of several successful,
high-profile statewide ballot measures last year in New York, Washington,
Colorado, Ohio and Maine. Another factor may have been witnessing
the winning, transportation-focused campaign of Virginia Governor
Tim Kaine in November. Whatever the cause, 2006 has already seen
major investment proposals unveiled in California, Illinois, Minnesota,
Texas, and Virginia. Others are expected to follow. The specific
approaches to new investment may vary, but the themes are consistent.
Citizens are demanding better mobility and increased choice. Businesses
see economic value in the investment. Responding to these sentiments,
governors and legislators appear poised to put record transportation
spending proposals before voters and in state budgets this year.
Read the LA Times article, "Paving
Reelection Plans With Vows to Ease Traffic"
Transit Ridership Growth Increases
• THIRD QUARTER DATA FINDS TRANSIT USE UP, DRIVING DOWN
According to new transit ridership data, high gas prices may have
pushed more people to use transit, and those users are continuing
to use public transportation even after prices at the pump began
to stabilize. For the third quarter of 2005, transit ridership grew
by 3.3% when compared to the same period in 2004. Much of the growth
in the third quarter is likely the result of a spike in gas prices.
Early indicators, in the form of surveys of transit agencies conducted
in November, suggest that the increased use continued even after
prices eased a bit at the end of the year. At the same, the Federal
Highway Administration reported a slight decline in Vehicle Miles
Traveled (VMT) of .2%. Transit ridership grew in every category
with light rail leading the way with an 8.8%. Some systems registered
dramatic increases.
Read
the full report.
Critics Attack Transit ‘Dependency’, Funding
• EVENTS IN NEW ORLEANS & NEW YORK FEATURED IN LATEST
CHARGES, O’TOOLE REPORT ATTACKS FUNDING
Some critics have seized on the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina and
the high-profile inconvenience of the New York transit strike to
attack public transportation. According to critics, the two events
signal the danger of a community becoming too dependent on public
transportation. These critics call for shifting more resources into
highway spending. Their arguments ignore the dangerous impracticality
of limiting mobility options.
Randal O’Toole has released a new salvo in his long-running
crusade against transportation choice. His latest report, A Desire
Named Streetcar, suggests that the existence of federal support
causes communities to pursue transit projects he deems “wasteful.”
He suggests that the solution is to “devolve … funding
entirely to state and local governments.” His argument is
undermined by both short and long-term trends in ridership. He also
ignores the fact that while federal aid has risen in overall terms,
when measured proportionally against highway spending transit funding
has been essentially level for more than a decade. At the same time,
the number of communities clamoring for transit funding has risen.
CFTE provides an array of
research and tips for countering the critics of public transportation.
Commission Urges New Approach to Federal Infrastructure
Funding
• CALLS FOR NEW FEDERAL CORPORATION TO CLOSE FUNDING GAP
One of the nation’s preeminent investment bankers and a prominent
former U.S. Senator are leading a new Commission on Public Infrastructure
for the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Felix Rohatyn
and Warren Rudman have outlined an ambitious plan to close a national
infrastructure investment gap estimated at $1.6 trillion over five
years. The two co-chairs are urging Congress and the Administration
to consider creating a new National Investment Corporation with
the authority to issue bond to finance projects. The new body would
eventually replace current dedicated trust funds. The plan is loosely
modeled on the European Investment Bank approach to infrastructure
finance.
Click to read their recent Washington Post Op-Ed, "It's
Time to Rebuild America."
New Findings Released on Senior Mobility
• SURVEY FINDS MOBILITY A MAJOR CONCERN FOR SENIORS
In December, Harris Interactive released findings from a national
survey of seniors demonstrating that mobility and transportation
are major concerns. The survey found that 82% of those surveyed
were worried about being stranded when they were no longer able
to drive. More than 80% believe public transportation to be safer,
easier and more convenient than driving. Two-thirds of the seniors
in the surveyed wanted to see greater access and investment in public
transportation in their community. Demographers believe that the
U.S. population aged 65 and older with exceed 70 million by 2030.
An earlier study found the nation woefully unprepared to cope with
the transportation needs of the growing senior population. That
report found that more than half of all non-drivers age 65 or older
stay home largely because transportation options are limited, particularly
in rural and smaller communities.
Get
complete survey results.
News Updates
CFTE monitors new developments in public transportation across
the nation, including upcoming and potential elections. Click here
to access these and other news stories.
Check out
our 2006 news archive for recent articles.
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Center For Transportation Excellence
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