America Loves Public Transportation

Portland Mercury: "Whoever runs for president in 2016 on the Democratic side had better have a plan for improving public transit. This is a winning issue, and Democrats have mostly ignored it on the national level. It should have a prominent place in the platform next time around—not just because Americans want and need public transportation, but because it's smart politics. Forcing Republicans into an anti-transit position would be a major blow to Republican outreach in American cities, and Republicans need to win more in cities if they want to win the presidency."

Sound Transit sets record in 2013 for train, bus ridership

Kent Reporter: "Sound Transit set annual ridership records in 2013 for boardings on its trains and buses."

Driving wastes that precious resource -- your time

Mass transit fits lifestyles of the young | HeraldNet.com - Opinion columns: "When I drive, my Honda Accord provides primo telematics — streaming audio, hands-free phoning and a wealth of satellite radio channels. These things ease but don’t solve the big problems of driving: the crashing boredom and stress. And as wonderful as these media offerings can be, accessing them still distracts from the road. (We’re not talking about a radio with an on/off button.)
Time is the ultimate luxury in this age of constant communication, and driving can be a monstrous waste of it. The surge of suburb-raised adults into America’s walkable cities reflects, in large part, a growing aversion to captivity in traffic. Whether young and hip or old or poor, urbanites often don’t own a car. They need alternative means to go distances their feet won’t take them."

A Moment of Truth for Metro Transit

Transit Riders Union: "This is the moment of truth.  Yesterday the King County Council, acting as a newly-formed Transportation Benefit District, voted to put the question to the public on April 22nd:  Should we approve a 0.1% sales tax increase and a $60 Vehicle License Fee, in order to avert massive bus service cuts later this year?  60% of this revenue would go to Metro, with cities receiving the rest.  Ballots will be mailed on April 4th.

The County Council took two actions to mitigate the regressive nature of these taxes. First, they approved a $20 rebate of the Vehicle License Fee for low-income car owners. Second, they agreed that if the ballot measure passes, the new low income reduced fare and the youth fare will be set at $1.25 instead of $1.50 for two years.

Should the Transit Riders Union launch a campaign to pass this ballot measure? This is the question before us at our upcoming Membership Meeting on Monday, March 3. Do you want a voice and a vote in this crucial decision? Then join the Transit Riders Union and be there on March 3, 6:30 – 8:30 PM at the Labor Temple Hall #6, 2800 1st Avenue."

One foot of tunneling equals four bus-months

sightline.org SeattleTRU

If buses were more frequent, parking garage not needed, says letter to editor

gazettetimes.com : "As a solution to the problem of parking availability, I see two options: build a parking garage providing more parking spaces, or increase the efficiency of public transport.

The major “cons” of constructing a parking garage are an over-crowding of public space and the degradation of our town’s natural beauty. If we were simply to increase the efficiency of our public transit, there would be no need to build this parking garage."

Snoqualmie Council supports proposal to fund transportation

SnoValley Star: "The Snoqualmie City Council voted to support a proposal by King County Executive Dow Constantine that would create a new $60 vehicle tab fee as well as a 0.1 percent increase in sales taxes. The additional revenue raised will be spent on Metro busses and transportation infrastructure. The revenue will be divided between the county and the various cities in the county such as Snoqualmie, with the county receiving 60 percent of the money."