Voters once again voiced their overwhelming support for public transit by approving transit ballot measures across the country, with 46 of 53 measures for public transit in 2024 proving successful — an 86.7% win rate. 

Results for ballot measures are available via APTA’s Center for Transportation Excellence’s (CFTE) 2024 election scorecard, which is available here.

“Initial results from this year’s public transportation ballot initiatives show a clear trend: communities across the country are backing public transit. These measures have become a vital indicator of voters’ commitment to investing in transit, and this year’s response has been overwhelmingly positive,” said APTA President/CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “The public’s enthusiasm for investing in transit reflects a clear desire for cleaner, more accessible transportation options in their neighborhoods. The 2024 election has marked a significant step forward for public transportation, as communities continue to invest in a brighter, more sustainable future for everyone.”

Success on Election Day

Tuesday’s election proved to be a marked success, with $24.9 billion approved so far by voters to make transit improvements, bringing the total funding for public transit in 2024 to over $25 billion. 

According to APTA and the CFTE, the results show that residents understand the importance of putting public transit systems on the road to recovery—because good public transportation means a brighter and easier future for communities. 

Successful ballot measures included:

• A bill in Flagstaff, Ariz., which extended the current transit tax and increased it by about .20 cents per $100. Proposed improvements through the bill included electrifying the bus fleet, expanding service hours, improving service frequency, bringing service to new areas, and reducing congestion while protecting the environment.

• In San Francisco, Prop L, which will increase operations funding for Muni, passed. The bill will use revenues from a new business tax on ride-hail companies to prevent Muni service cuts and improve Muni access.

• In Nashville, a half-cent sales tax increase will fund accelerated expansion of Nashville’s bus system, building out dozens of miles of sidewalks and bike lanes, while also upgrading nearly 600 traffic signals to better handle vehicle congestion. The tax increase will cover around 46% of the plan’s total cost.           

• In Fairfax County, Va., $180 million in bonds will be used to finance Fairfax County’s share, under the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Regional Compact, of the cost of constructing, reconstructing, improving, and acquiring transportation improvements and facilities, including capital costs of land, transit facilities, rolling stock, and equipment in the Washington metropolitan area.          

• In Seattle, an eight-year $1.55 billion Transportation Levy will use property taxes to fund improvements to the city’s transportation infrastructure, including building sidewalks, paving streets, repairing bridges, and improving transit connections. 

Losses and More to Come

Meanwhile, measures in Gwinnet and Cobb County, Ga. and San Diego were defeated, as well as three measures in South Carolina. 

As of Wednesday afternoon, a measure in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., had not yet been decided.           

APTA’s Center for Transportation Excellence tracks all of the measures at its website and will be providing updates as results continue to come in.