Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Proposing a change in voter approval of a sales tax from two-thirds to 55% The move follows the close defeat of Los Angeles County’s Measure J, a $90-billion transit sales tax extension. It fell short of a two-thirds "yes" vote by half of one percentage point.

Durham County voters already approved a tax hike for the plan. Orange County voters will decide whether to approve it this November.

Wichita Transit is proposing a quarter-cent sales tax to help mend its financially ailing bus system, which is carrying a $500,000 deficit for 2012.

Even a possible sales tax increase next year will not be enough to fund a $6 billion wish list of transportation projects. However, an increase in the portion of Atlanta sales tax that can be used for transit funding may help.

In addition to streetcar, a study calls for a BRT line on Rural Road, connecting the cities of Tempe and Chandler. Streetcar will advance first as local funding is available from Proposition 400, a countywide, half-cent transportation sales tax renewed by voters in 2004.