New Search
11 1 1 1 <br /> ~ ~ 11 1 ~ I ~ 1 <br /> Multimodal funding investments <br /> Transit ridership across Oregon has to Oregon's public highways, roads <br /> increased dramatically during 2008. For and streets. The second is that most <br /> many Oregonians, public transit has public transit operations in the U.S. are <br /> moved from a transportation choice supported primarily by state and local <br /> to a transportation necessity. The sales taxes, which Oregon down t have. <br /> state's urban areas have seen 13 - 17 <br /> percent increases; buses and trains Instead, Oregon and its communities <br /> are crowded and passengers are being have used a patchwork of sources <br /> passed by. In Oregon's rural areas, to fund transit capital and operating <br /> such as Union County, Baker City and needs. Capital funding includes buses, <br /> Tillamook County, ridership increases trains, tracks, special needs vehicles <br /> have reached more than 25 percent. and related purchases. Operating funds <br /> Transit is a lifeline in rural communities provide for the ongoing fixed route or <br /> for those who cannot afford to drive on demand transit service. <br /> long distances as well as for those <br /> individuals who can no longer drive at The Transportation Vision Committee <br /> all. recommends that the state, through <br /> statute, establish a dedicated non- <br /> Further, Oregon's population is aging highway transportation fund for <br /> rapidly and will require transportation transit capital investments. The initial <br /> assistance to remain independent and investment in this fund should equal at <br /> productive. This demographic change least 20 percent of any new revenue <br /> is even more significant in Oregon's generated for the highway fund.* <br /> rural communities. A recent PSU study <br /> commissioned by the legislature points The Committee proposes an ongoing <br /> to the need for additional resources to investment of 15 percent of lottery <br /> meet this demand. revenue as a first step in meeting this <br /> objective. Additional revenue sources <br /> In addition to the growing demand must also be identified to adequately <br /> for transit service, increased diesel fund the operation of public transit as <br /> fuel prices have forced some transit well as other elements of Oregon's non- <br /> agencies to raise fares and cut service. highway transportation system. <br /> In July 2008, some transit agencies <br /> were paying $4.20 a gallon for diesel The Transportation Vision Committee <br /> fuel to operate their bus fleets; this also recommends these funds be used <br /> required budget adjustments that hurt as an incentive for local governments to <br /> transit at a time when the need is make investments in their non-highway <br /> greatest. transportation infrastructure using local <br /> sources such as systems development <br /> Oregon's ability to respond to this need and parking fees, tax increment <br /> and support vital public transportation financing, transportation utility fees, <br /> services is limited for two reasons that local improvement districts and other <br /> most other states do not face. The first funding mechanisms. <br /> is the Oregon Constitution (article IX, <br /> Section 3a}, which dedicates money The Committee recommends that state <br /> raised by fuel taxes and vehicle fees funds be limited to capital investments, <br /> *This target was identified as an initial step toward an allocation structure similar to that of the <br /> federal government, which allocates 80 percent of the federal transportation dollars to highway <br /> <br /> projects and the remainder to other modes. <br /> 19 <br /> <br />