Getting the Green Light on Transportation Initiatives Drafting Successful Ballot Measures Center for Transportation Excellence Conference June 12, 2007.

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

78% of population located in Pima and Maricopa Counties.

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%

Getting the Green Light

May 16, 2006Pima County

voters approvecounty-wideRTA Plan by

3-to-2 margin

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

www.RTAmobility.com