getting the green light on transportation initiatives drafting successful ballot measures center for...
TRANSCRIPT
Getting the Green Light on Transportation Initiatives
Drafting Successful Ballot MeasuresCenter for Transportation Excellence Conference
June 12, 2007
Gary Hayes, Executive DirectorPima Association of Governments/Regional Transportation Authority
Katrina Heineking, General ManagerSun Tran/Van Tran
Pima County Profile
• 1 million population in Pima County32% Hispanic52% White/Non-Hispanic 3% African American13% Other
• 54% of county residents live in Tucson• University of Arizona• No cross-town freeway
Pima County Government Profile
• Eight jurisdictions• Cities and town administered by “Strong
City Manager”• Two Tribes governed by councils with a
tendency of rapid turnover
Past Transportation Initiatives
In the last 20 years, four transportation initiatives have failed.
• 1986 County-wide loop freeway FAILED 57-43• 1989 County-wide general road improvement/
transit enhancement plan FAILED 61-39• 2002 City of Tucson initiative with grade-
separations on main arterials FAILED 69-31• 2003 City of Tucson initiative with a light-rail
focus FAILED 63-37
Starting Fresh with a New Plan
• Legislature granted “permission” to develop plan and funding
• RTA serves eight local jurisdictions• RTA Board consists of one elected official
from each jurisdiction and an governor’s appointee
• 20-year regional transportation plan developed with assistance Citizens Advisory Committee and Technical Management Committee
Creating a Successful Strategy
• Overcame lack of trust in government• Engaged the diverse stakeholders• Worked with local media and met
regularly with editorial boards• Gained buy-in not only from all Board
members but all local elected officials• Polled, surveyed and reacted
Creating a Successful Strategy
• Conducted extensive public involvement 27 Open Houses 400 Presentations to civic, neighborhood
groups and other organizations 3 major news conferences Booths at malls, home shows, etc. Three phases of feedback
• Developed and implemented Marketing Plan
Creating a Successful Strategy
• Used simple, consistent messages Tax equal to a mere penny for every $2
spent Everyone contributes Improvements enhance regional mobility Where are we if the plan fails?
• Separated government from the campaign to ensure integrity
• Sought buy-in from business leaders, who in turn raised $1.1 million in support for the campaign
The Ballot Measure
• $2.1 billion, 20-year multi-modal plan• Funded by county-side half-cent sales
tax• Plan elements
– Roadway, 58.5%– Safety, 9.0%– Environmental & Economic Vitality, 5.8%– Transit, 26.7%
Transit Element Details
• 20-year plan divided into 4 periods, with transit improvements beginning in 1st period
• Eight transit projects– Extended weeknight service– Extended weekend hours– Added frequency/area expansion– Special needs/paratransit– Express service enhancements– Modern streetcar– Neighborhood circulators– Park-and-Ride lots
Transit Project StatusOne year after the vote…
• Plugs – During rush hours added buses assigned to busiest routes
• Weeknight service extension on two of three phases
Total RTA Plan Project StatusOne year after the vote…
• $119 million in RTA funding has been committed• 91 projects have been approved for funding• 68 projects in the planning & design phase• 15 projects under construction• 2 transit projects have
been implemented• 6 projects have
been completed