Getting the Green Light on Transportation Initiatives Drafting

Getting the Green Light on Transportation Initiatives Drafting Successful Ballot Measures Center for Transportation Excellence Conference June 12, 2007 Gary Hayes, Executive Director Pima Association of Governments/Regional Transportation Authority Katrina Heineking, General Manager Sun Tran/Van Tran

Pima County Profile • 1 million population in Pima County 32% Hispanic 52% White/Non-Hispanic 3% African American 13% 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 Ø 27 Open Houses Ø 400 Presentations to civic, neighborhood groups and other organizations Ø 3 major news conferences Ø Booths at malls, home shows, etc. Ø Three phases of feedback • Developed and implemented Marketing Plan

Creating a Successful Strategy • Used simple, consistent messages Ø Ø 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, 2006 Pima County voters approve county-wide RTA Plan by 3 -to-2 margin

Transit Element Details • 20 -year plan divided into 4 periods, with transit improvements beginning in 1 st 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 Status One 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 Status One 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