A booster shot for the regional economy
The Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance mission is to expand, enhance, and improve public transit.
We need to start having the conversation about transit as a whole. That means speaking about transit (take a deep breath) in terms of expanded light rail, streetcar, bus rapid transit, and improved highways. From what I can tell, these have historically been discussed, debated, and pitted against one another at the detriment of one population or another.
Roads and transit move people and freight more reliably, give travelers more options to contribute to the regional economy. We want more options for getting around. Our economic growth and quality of life depend on it.
We have some ideas about how to get started, and you’ll begin to see a series of components and initiatives designed to get these holistic conversations started. Please think about (marinate) on the principles and supporting statements we’ve brought together regarding a regional transit plan that could be developed through the establishment of county transit authorities.
RTA Criteria for Evaluating Regional Transit Plans
Goal: Create a robust regional transit network to make public transit a viable and attractive transportation option for all the region's citizens.
Criteria for evaluating regional transit plans:
- Consistent with Regional Plans: The transit plan must be consistent with broader regional plans.
- Dedicated Funding: The plan must be adequately funded through a dedicated and reliable funding source.
- Early Improvements: The plan must deliver measurable transit improvements in the first year.
- Voter Buy-in: The plan must be based on public engagement and voter research to ensure broad electoral support.
- Cost Effectiveness: The plan must use appropriate transit modes and technologies suited to existing and projected demand in a cost effective manner.
- Consistent with Federal and/or State Requirements: The transit plan must conform to federal and/or state requirements and precedents if such funding is sought to ensure eligibility for those funds.
- Transit Equity: The plan must provide transit service appropriate to the population density and need within the respective counties.
Supporting Statements:
- Consistent with Regional Plans: Regional transportation planning is done by the Mid-America Regional Council ("Smart Moves" and “Transportation Outlook 2040”) and is supported by local jurisdictions in the greater Kansas City area. The plan must build on and be consistent with these resources to assure compatibility across the region.
- Dedicated Funding: Dedicated funding must be put
in place to assure long-term
viability of capital improvements, operation, and maintenance of the system. This funding source may serve as matching funds for federal and/or state funding. Some area municipalities currently rely on funding that is subject to shifting priorities. Such sources fail to provide for long-term stability of a transit system. Although a sales tax is currently the preferred source of dedicated funding in this region, a diversified funding stream that includes other sources should also be considered to reduce the impact of business cycle fluctuations and possible voter resistance to rising sales tax rates. - Early Improvements: The plan must deliver measurable transit improvements in the first year after voter approval. Such improvements may include, but are not limited to, new routes, added service on existing routes and improvements to transit stops and facilities. The purpose is to deliver early improvements in response to voter support by meeting short-term needs while working on longer-term goals.
- Voter Buy-in: In order to assure success at the polls, the plan must evolve from a robust public engagement process that includes public input, polling and voter research, and an ongoing public education program.
- Cost Effectiveness: Transit technology (modal) choices and levels of service should match existing and projected ridership demand in a cost-effective manner. In addition, transit technology decisions should consider demand that may be expected to arise from changes in zoning, development incentives, land use policies, and other measures by municipalities along a corridor. Such policies might be expected to increase population density and transit use over time. We strongly encourage municipalities to be proactive and commit to development and incentive policies that support transit as the plan is developed.
- Consistent with Federal and/or State Requirements: Funding from the federal and/or state governments should be considered to supplement the local funding sought from the voters. If such funding is needed to build or maintain the system, the plan must be developed so as to be eligible for those funds.
- Transit Equity: Transit service must be distributed equitably across the service area to provide for wide distribution of benefits from the tax. The distribution of services can be based on multiple criteria such as, but not limited to, a per capita basis and/or a needs basis. Local jurisdictions must be involved in determining service levels.
Janet Rogers, Chair, RTA Missouri Regional Transit Initiative Committee
Kitty McCoy, Chair, Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance July 3, 2009
©2009 Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance
