TRANSIT MEASURE PASSES WITH HUGE MAJORITY
The election results are in. The Valley Transit measure passed 76.3% to 23.7%. Thanks to all those who worked on or supported this campaign. Together, we've made Walla Walla-College Place a stronger community for everyone.
TRANSIT FACTS
Why are transit services important to our community? Public transportation helps people get to work and school, shop at area businesses, get needed services, and participate as active citizens. It gives energy to our whole community by giving everyone the freedom and mobility to accomplish what is important to them. Good transit service is critical to our quality of life and economic vitality.
How efficient is our transit system? Valley Transit provides approximately 800,000 rides a year. Carrying 2600 a day, an average of 27 passengers per hour per bus, it is among the top transit systems in the state as far as passengers per bus per hour, and lowest operating cost per hour.
What’s the problem? After 19 years of operation, Valley Transit lost half its regular funding with the elimination of the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax in 2000. Since then, in addition to the local sales tax, the system has been running on state and federal grants, and its reserves.
An expected source of dependable federal funding has now been eliminated and local sales tax revenue has been falling. As a result, Valley Transit is facing substantial deficits for 2009 and beyond. Without additional revenues, service will need to be cut 50% by the end of the current biennium, which would eliminate most or all fixed routes.
Can fare increases solve the problem? To help generate additional revenues, the Valley Transit board has tripled fares from 25 cents to 75 cents. Even with this increase, fare revenues bring in less than 10% of annual expenditures, and must be supplemented by other sources, primarily sales tax revenue.
What’s the solution? Transit systems in Washington State are supported mostly by sales tax revenues. Valley Transit currently receives 0.3%, while most transit systems in the state receive 0.6%. Increasing Valley Transit’s rate to the state average for transit systems in the Feb. 9 election will provide reliable, local revenue that will allow it to continue all existing services.
What will it cost to increase the local transit rate to the state average? If the transit sales tax for the Walla Walla/College Place area is increased by 0.3% in the Feb. 9 election, the cost will be an additional three cents on a $10 purchase, a reasonable amount to preserve a critical community service. No property taxes are involved, and there is no cost on food or medicine.
What’s the process for increasing the sales tax for transit? On September 22, 2009 the transit board unanimously adopted the necessary resolution to place a 0.3% transit tax rate increase on the ballot for a special election on Feb. 9, 2010.
How can you help? To help preserve existing transit services, the campaign needs endorsements, contributions, and volunteers. Please contact the Campaign for Valley Transit at transitcampaign@charter.net, write to PO Box 1222, Walla Walla, WA 99362, or call 509-522-0399.
See the links above for a list of business endorsers, general endorsers, and to volunteer or contribute to the campaign.
Valley Transit provides both scheduled routes and the Dial-a-Ride service.
