Hamilton County, Ohio, home to Cincinnati and the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, has a new coffer of money to fund public transit improvements.
"Voters in Cincinnati approved a new 0.8-cent sales tax in April — in the middle of the pandemic — to provide some $100 million a year for transit for projects and upgrades," reports Skip Descant.
Original estimates expected the sales tax to generate $100 million a year for transit projects in the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) service area in Hamilton County, with another $30 million for other transportation projects. The economic downturn of the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to dial those numbers back, but the full extent of the shortfall isn't yet apparent.
SORTA officials are still excited about the new revenue, however. The Reinventing Metro Plan will provide direction for improvements, and riders can expect "increased bus frequency, increased service on nights and weekends, with six routes introducing 24-hour service, which did not previously exist," as a result of the new revenue, reports Descant. "Two bus-rapid-transit routes are also being planned."
FULL STORY: New Sales Tax Will Fuel Transit Modernization in Cincinnati
Swapping One Tax for Another to Fund Bus Improvements
Cincinnati area voters might get a chance to decide the future of transit funding in the city of Cincinnati and the county of Hamilton.
Management Divorce for the Cincinnati Streetcar
Efforts to bolster support for a countywide sales tax levy in Hamilton County, Ohio, are pushing the city to fire SORTA as the manager of the troubled Cincinnati Bell Connector.
Bolstering the Case for Public Transit Investment by Connecting the Dots to Infrastructure
The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority wants funding to revamp its bus system, but convincing voters of a tax's necessity will require bigger thinking.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
How to Make US Trains Faster
Changes to boarding platforms and a switch to electric trains could improve U.S. passenger rail service without the added cost of high-speed rail.
Columbia’s Revitalized ‘Loop’ Is a Hub for Local Entrepreneurs
A focus on small businesses is helping a commercial corridor in Columbia, Missouri thrive.
Invasive Insect Threatens Minnesota’s Ash Forests
The Emerald Ash Borer is a rapidly spreading invasive pest threatening Minnesota’s ash trees, and homeowners are encouraged to plant diverse replacement species, avoid moving ash firewood, and monitor for signs of infestation.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ascent Environmental
Borough of Carlisle
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service