Successful initiatives include a measure in Alameda County, Calif., where voters approved an increase in the current transportation sales tax from half a cent to a full penny on the dollar for 30 years. A measure to improve public transit in Tampa Bay, Fla, was again defeated.
Seventeen ballot measures impacting transportation were successful on Tuesday, according to results digested by the Center for Transportation Excellence (CFTE).
Successful initiatives include a measure in Alameda County, Calif., where 70% of voters approved an increase in the current transportation sales tax from half a cent to a full penny on the dollar for 30 years. Also in the Bay Area, San Francisco voters overwhelmingly approved Measure A, which provides $500 million for transit.
With five measures yet to be totaled, there were nine transportation-related measures that lost, including in Pinellas County, Fla., where voters again overwhelmingly rejected a one-penny sales tax hike to pay for the Greenlight Pinellas mass transit plan.
The defeat could result in severe cuts in the county’s bus service over the next few years and is a major setback for transit advocates and local leaders who touted the $2.2 million plan for light rail and expanded bus service as the first step toward development of a robust mass transit network across Tampa Bay, according to The Tampa Tribune.
For a complete synopsis of transportation measures by CFTE, click here.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
Rolling out in electric yellow and seafoam blue, the first battery-electric buses purchased from GILLIG will begin serving riders in south King County on February 2.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, MCTS, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
While their comprehensive analysis of bus stops focused on Massachusetts, the researchers are excited about the generalizability of the findings and application to other locations.
CEO Nat Ford’s address offered a look at highlights from 2025, with a focus on the future and the innovative ways the JTA is shaping mobility in Northeast Florida.