ISSUES RELATING TO PUBLIC TRANSIT -  2007 

     1.  Systems Development — Public transportation plays a critical role in the economic vitality of our society by providing the access necessary to ensure that employers can attract an adequate workforce.  Public transportation ensures the economic well being of our society by providing access to jobs, education, medical and other vital services to members of our community who are disabled or disadvantaged.  Public transportation relieves congestion and contributes to clean air.  Public transportation needs exist statewide in both rural and urban areas. 

       (a) Rail Transit — In high-density travel corridors as part of a comprehensive development strategy, light rail transit or a similar alternative may provide a cost effective travel alternative. 

       (b) Bus Transit  -- Bus transit is a convenient, cost-effective travel alternative when provided at sufficient frequency, using suitable vehicles, and support by adequate customer amenities. 

       Adequate funding should be available to capitalize and operate transit services to meet the needs of the residents of Kentucky.

       Highway-related improvements such as preferential lanes, traffic signalization, bus turnoffs and sidewalks can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of bus transportation. These highway-related improvements should be financed with highway funds. 

       (c) Para-Transit Systems -- Demand responsive or flexible-route services using small buses or vans, shared ride taxi operations and similar innovative techniques should be considered in the development of public transportation programs.  Programs, which encourage the formation of carpools and vanpools, should be supported at all levels of government. 

     2.  Financing — The funding of public transportation is a shared federal, state and local responsibility.  Federal aid should be provided at the full-authorized levels specified in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) for all modes of transportation.  No less than 90% of the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s contribution of the public transportation portion of the trust fund should be returned to Kentucky.  Flexibility in the use of funds should be maximized at the local level.  If the federal government goes to a state-level block grant program, public transportation should continue to receive at least what is currently received on a proportional basis. 

     The Commonwealth of Kentucky should increase its level of funding from the General Fund to meet the urban and rural public transportation needs of the people of Kentucky.  The Commonwealth of Kentucky should fund at least 50% of the local share of public transportation-related capital projects and establish a funding mechanism to participate in the operational costs of public transportation. 

     The provision of public transportation should be as cost-effective as possible.  Specifically, all transportation funding irrespective of programmatic source (i.e., human services, education, transportation, etc.) should be reviewed to remove restrictions, which limit productivity or the ability to coordinate services.

Kentuckians for Better Transportation

Policy & Issues Statement

National, State & Local Transportation

Preamble

      KBT believes that national security and future growth of the Nation and Commonwealth depend upon the transportation system.  Productivity requires continuing adequate investment in facilities to move goods and people:  airports; highways and streets; inland waterways and ports; railroads; and public transit systems. 

     We must protect our existing systems by providing funds for maintenance.  A deteriorating public works results in decreased national productivity. 

     Economic gains depend upon the adequacy of our transportation system.  Expenditures for improving the transportation network are one of the little governmental expenditure that clearly results in increased productivity.

Read the DRAFT Paper ...

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Kentuckians for Better Transportation

  FEDERAL REAUTHORIZATION 2009 (DRAFT)

The following are a several issues that will likely be debated during the coming reauthorization in 2009.  They are not listed in any priority.  What is critical to this debate is the need to view transportation in a larger context than the past.  Transportation is fundamental to the way of life in this country; it is the foundation for our economy (both in production and distribution of goods); and it has made us the world leader in almost every aspect of a modern society.  Even more important is that our success has been driven by the trust of the people that government will do the right things to build, maintain and sustain our transportation system.

Read the complete DRAFT ....

It allows elderly people to remain active and independent once they’ve stopped driving. Statewide, bus service gives people access to jobs, education and medical care while providing choices for how to travel.

The Kentucky Public Transit Association is a non-profit coalition of all of the state’s transportation providers. They in turn represent more than 100 social-service and health-care agencies.

Statewide Services at a Glance

• 25 million rides annually                            

• 1.4 million rides for disabled passengers

• 1.2 million rides for elderly passengers

• 1,427 vehicles in service

• $107 million operating cost

• $39 million capital needs for 2002-2004

Transportation Reauthorization Act TEA-21

Debate is scheduled to resume beginning May 9 in the Senate on the six-year Transportation Reauthorization bill known as TEA-21. This bill expired in 2003 and has been operating on extensions for almost two years. The House finally passed a bill last month (called TEA-LU) and the Senate is debating its own version, called SAFETEA. Now is the time to call your Senators and urge passage of a transportation bill. The toll-free numbers for Sen. Mitch McConnell and Sen. Jim Bunning are list below.
What follows are 10 good reasons for passing a new transportation bill:
1. The bill on the Senate floor would authorize $51.6 billion for transit. (The House bill allocates $52.3 billion. In last year’s failed bill, the Senate agreed to $53.3 billion)
2. The bill would continue current matching shares for transit and highways programs (requiring an 80-20 federal-local match)
3. The bill strongly supports efforts to coordinate transportation policies governing human and social service programs.
4. The Senate proposal would continue the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program that has been used so successfully by TARC.
5. The Senate proposal would strengthen Metropolitan Planning Organizations and encourage linkages in land use/transit planning.
6. The Senate bill makes a strong funding commitment to the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program (CMAQ) which funds many of Louisville’s clean-air initiatives
7. The Senate and House bill create a “Small Starts” program to fund trolley and Bus Rapid Transit development.
8. TEA 21 reauthorization has strong bi-partisan support
9. The bill includes additional provisions to ensure the safety of bicyclist and pedestrians.
10. Immediate passage is essential to planning and efficient financing of transit and highway projects.
Call Sen. McConnell in Washington at 1-202-224-2541 or at his local office, 582-6304
Sen. Bunning’s number in Washington is 1-202-224-4343.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.

“Public transportation plays a vital role in the Commonwealth of Kentucky by providing access to jobs, education, medical care and recreation. We in the public transit community are dedicated to building a network of transportation services in Kentucky that will set the standard for other states.” – Beecher Hudson, President, Kentucky Public Transit Association.

• Public transportation services must be expanded to meet the needs of an aging population. Kentucky will add   nearly 576,000 elderly residents over the next three decades. By 2030, about one-third of the state’s population will be over 55.

• Traffic congestion is increasing each year on the state’s highways and particularly in urban areas. In Louisville in the last 10 years, the average delay in for rush-hour drivers has increased from 9 to 46 hours per year. Statewide, the annual vehicle miles traveled has increased by nearly 1 million each of the last four years.

• Only three states have a higher percentage of people with disabilities than Kentucky – Arkansas, Louisiana and West Virginia. Statewide, 9% of the state’s population is disabled, and most of them are dependent on transit for trips to the doctor, jobs and school. Many of them don’t work at all because of the lack of transportation; an estimated 70% of persons with disabilities are not employed and are on welfare. Paul Hearne, a disability activist and president of the Dole Foundation, says that presents a significant opportunity cost. "Employing and accommodating people with disabilities in the workplace has tremendous potential to impact our nation's economy," says Hearne. "All people with disabilities need consumer and economic power and a unity of purpose in order to promote the goal of full inclusion in American society." 

• According to the U. S. Census, 9% or 149,000 households statewide have no car.

• For most people, the trip to work has gotten longer; both time and distance has increased.

• Transit saves money. As gas prices and insurance cost skyrocket, many families can’t afford to have a second car. With safe and convenient transit service, one-car families still have access to jobs, shopping, church and schools.

The state’s unique brokerage system needs continued support. It provides transportation services to people qualified through Medicaid, Department of the Blind and Vocational Rehabilitation. In southeastern Kentucky, for instance, the Region 12 Rural Transit Enterprises Coordinated serves 12 counties and arranges more than 445,000 rides each year. In the western part of the state, Fulton County Transit Authority provides more than 100,000 rides a year.