Voters pass 33 of 48 transportation ballot measures
Throughout the country in 2016, in 23 states and communities of all sizes, voters considered nearly $200 billion in local investment for public transportation at the ballot box.
On Tuesday, voters approved 33 of 48 local and statewide public transit measures for a current passage rate of 71% based on unofficial election results. Three measures on November 8 ballots remain to be called.
Throughout the country in 2016, in 23 states and communities of all sizes, voters considered nearly $200 billion in local investment for public transportation at the ballot box. The number of ballot measures (49), as well as their collective total amount (nearly $200 billion), were the largest in history. Since 2000, the average success rate of transit measures is 71%.
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Additionally, 77 total transit measures appeared on ballots throughout 2016, the highest number on record. This follows a growing trend in the number of measures annually, which indicates local communities are increasingly understanding the need for local investment in public transportation and recognizing that ballot initiatives can be a powerful way to meet that need, according to APTA.
One big win, included Los Angeles’ ambitious Measure M, which will renew the current half-cent sales tax to continue funding transportation projects throughout the region, as well as an additional half-cent sales tax to expand and improve light rail and subway lines. The measure could raise up to $120 billion over 40 years for transit and road improvements. Altogether, nine out of 16 California ballot measures were successful, with other measures finding success in Marion County, Ind.; Greensboro and Wake County, N.C.; and Seattle and Spokane, Wash.
"Americans from every background agree that more public transportation is great for their community. And with a passage rate of 69 percent, they show they are more than willing to pay for it," said American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Chair Doran J. Barnes.
"Voters nationwide upheld the demonstrated legacy of strong support for transit at the ballot box,” noted Jason Jordan, executive director of the Center for Transportation Excellence. “Clearly, communities continue to recognize the economic, social, health, and environmental benefits transit can provide and are willing to support and invest in its expansion and maintenance."
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.
The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.
The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.
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.
