METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Transportation wins big on Election Day

Twenty-one of 30 transit-related measures win voter approval, three more too close to call.

November 8, 2006
1 min to read


Voters in 13 states approved 21 out of 30 state and local transit-related ballot initiatives on Tuesday, authorizing expenditures approximating $40 billion, with the results of three more ballot measures still pending. In California, voters approved three statewide measures, including a transportation funding protection measure that closes a loophole allowing legislators to divert revenue from a gasoline sales tax to other state needs. Salt Lake County, Utah, voters approved a quarter-cent sales tax increase that will be used to help fund commuter rail, TRAX and road projects so they can be completed by 2015 instead of 2030. Not every transit measure was so fortunate. In Spokane, Wash., voters defeated two measures that would have allowed for the creation of a funding plan for constructing a light rail system and the purchase of right of way and preliminary design for the project. Three pending ballot measures in Franklin County, Ohio; Corinth, Texas; and Union Gap, Washington were still too close to call. For up-to-date results, visit www.cfte.org/success/2006BallotMeasures.asp#Nov06Elections.

Topics:Management

More Management

An A line MTA subway car near the soon to be replaced signaling system.
Rail•by Staff and News Reports•October 23, 2026

New York MTA Launches Historic $1.9B Signal, Track Modernization Project

Funded in part by congestion pricing revenue, the project will replace nearly century-old signals along the A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens.

Read More →
Turning Transportation Challenges into Opportunities
Management•by Alex Roman•October 22, 2026

Brian Dickson on Building Stronger, More Resilient Transportation Organizations

Bus Business Consultants Founder Brian Dickson discusses the leadership principles, operational discipline, and strategic planning that separate transportation companies positioned for long-term success from those stuck in survival mode.

Read More →
Groundbreaking ceremony for LA Metro's Vermont Transit Corridor BRT
Bus•by Staff and News Reports•October 22, 2026

LA Metro Breaks Ground on Vermont BRT Project

The 12.4-mile corridor is projected to serve 66,200 daily riders, reduce travel times by up to 24%, and create the nation's busiest bus rapid transit corridor.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Management•October 21, 2026

Building Stronger Leaders, More Resilient Transit Teams

Dr. Carol Parker Walsh discusses leadership development, employee retention, workplace culture, and preparing transit’s workforce for AI and automation.

Read More →
ABC Companies President and CEO Roman Cornell
Bus•by Alex Roman•October 21, 2026

Roman Cornell on ABC Companies’ Evolution and the Future of Passenger Transportation

The company’s CEO discusses carrying forward a third-generation family legacy, ABC’s continued evolution in passenger transportation, support for increasingly complex fleets, and how technology and continued investment could help operators improve uptime.

Read More →
METRO Magazine graphic with a dark blue geometric background and the headline “CATS Launches West Charlotte Microtransit Zone, Expands Services” in bold white lettering.
Management•by Staff and News Reports•October 19, 2026

CATS Launches West Charlotte Microtransit Zone, Expands Transit Services

The new microtransit zone connects residents to key destinations as Charlotte Area Transit System rolls out the first phase of its 2055 Transit System Plan.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
VIA Primo BRT bus riders
Bus•by Alex Roman•October 19, 2026

VIA Bus Ridership Grows 10.1% Through August 2026

San Antonio's VIA Metropolitan Transit reported the highest bus ridership growth among major Texas transit systems. Federal Transit Administration data ranked it second among the nation's 50 largest transit systems.

Read More →
New Standard Helps Transit Agencies Address Climate Risks
Security and Safety•by Alex Roman•October 19, 2026

CSA Group Releases Climate Resilience Standard for Transit, Passenger Rail

Developed with support from the Standards Council of Canada, CSA D700 guides assessing climate-related risks and planning adaptation measures for transit and passenger rail systems.

Read More →
Unifying Transit Data With AI Tools with ETA's John Maglio
Technology•by Alex Roman•October 19, 2026

ETA CEO John Maglio on Transit Technology, Innovation, and Building Agency Trust

ETA founder and CEO John Maglio explores the evolution of transit technology, the importance of reliable systems, and how stronger partnerships can help agencies improve operations and the passenger experience.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
METRO Magazine graphic showing passengers boarding a COTA bus at a downtown bus stop, with the headline “COTA Launches First Customer Experience Action Plan.”
Management•by Staff and News Reports•October 16, 2026

COTA Launches First Customer Experience Action Plan to Improve Transit Service

The new plan outlines improvements to service reliability, accessibility, communication, and the overall rider experience across Central Ohio's transit system.

Read More →