Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Because the three-tenths of 1% sales tax hike was not approved, the agency will be forced to reduce services by 53%, mostly affecting the poor, elderly and disabled.

Twenty-one measures with a significant transit component were considered by voters in 12 states. Fourteen measures were approved; one remains undecided as votes continue to be counted in Pierce County, Wash.; and two more public transit measures will be decided in Los Angeles and Kansas City, Mo. next month.

If all measures are approved, more than $100 billion in new local funding would be invested in transportation.

The latest shift in public support, with half of surveyed voters now on board with the project, comes primarily from Filipino-Americans and working-age voters. Three months ago, only 44% of Oahu voters polled said work on the project should continue.

Raleigh City Council members discussed local transportation needs, and the importance of getting the public on board with local transit plans. In particular, they reviewed the proposed $75 million Union Station downtown, which would provide a hub for Amtrak passenger trains.

The tax measure, which will require two-thirds approval, might appear on the ballot as early as November 2012.