The proposed fee on households with multiple vehicles would generate $9 million to improve the region’s transit system.
Katie Riordan reports on a proposal by Mayor Lee Harris of Shelby County, Tennessee, for a "sustainability fee" to expand Memphis Area Transit Authority services. The mayor says the funds will be used to improve mobility for low-income, transit-dependent residents while also addressing environmental issues.
For households with more than two vehicles, the proposal originally would have been a $145 fee per additional vehicle. The mayor recently updated the proposal so that the fee would apply only to the third vehicle registered at an address.
Riordan says the public response to the plan has generally been positive, though concerns have been raised about the additional financial burden on households and businesses and the ability of MATA to use the funds effectively.
"Harris, who believes his proposal to be a first step towards transforming Memphis’ transit system, wants the $9 million to help increase the frequency of buses on eight established routes and create a new express airport shuttle, which is in line with the city’s 3.0 transit plan," writes Riordan.
FULL STORY: Mayor Harris Adjusts "Sustainability Fee" Proposal for Public Transit
Madison Common Council Narrowly Approves Unpopular $40 Wheel Tax
Despite major opposition by residents, the Madison Common Council approved a $40 motor vehicle registration fee (aka 'wheel tax') on an 11-8 vote on Oct. 29 to help fund the city's new East-West Bus Rapid Transit system.
Multi-Car Owners May Pay Sustainability Fee to Fund Memphis Area Transit
Called a 'sustainability fee' by Mayor Lee Harris of Shelby County, the proposed fee would apply only to households that have three or more registered vehicles, about 17 percent of county residents. The first two vehicles would be exempt.
Memphis Bus Riders Union Scoring Victories
Streetsblog USA has been keeping close tabs on the bus system in Memphis, recently noticing signs of progress from the local transit agency, MATA.
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.
San Francisco’s Muni Ridership Grew in 2024
The system saw its highest ridership since before the Covid-19 pandemic, but faces a severe budget shortage in the coming year.
Colorado Lawmakers Move to Protect BRT Funding
In the face of potential federal funding cuts, CDOT leaders reasserted their commitment to planned bus rapid transit projects.
Safe Streets Funding in Jeopardy
The Trump administration is specifically targeting bike infrastructure and other road safety projects in its funding cuts.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland