New transitways are on the way!

Five of the seven counties eligible voted to fund future transit! Anoka and Ramsey counties voted yes last week; yesterday, Dakota, Hennepin, and Washington counties all voted yes. As expected, Scott and Carver counties voted no but may opt in at a future date. Each county will levy a 1/4 cent sales tax, which is expected to raise approximately $100 million per year in dedicated funds for transitways. 

These resources will be used to help fund Northstar commuter rail and Central Corridor light rail as well as future light rail, commuter rail and bus rapid transit, including the Southwest and Red Rock corridors. Decisions will be made by the new Counties Transit Improvement Board (CTIB), made up of representatives from the five counties and the Metropolitan Council. Votes are weighted among counties based on expected sales tax revenue and population; out of 100 votes, 95 are distributed to counties and 5 to the Metropolitan Council. For more information on, go to the Hennepin County summary by clicking here.

Congratulations and many thanks are due to members of Transit for Livable Communities' action network and the Transit Partners coalition. Phone calls, emails, and testimony by advocates and community members helped convince county commissioners to take this step forward for the region. This dedicated source of funds will help make the vision of a regional transit system a reality!