VOTERS HAVE APPROVED $74 BILLION IN NEW PUBLIC TRANSIT THIS YEAR

APTA - At a rate of 72 percent, voters across the country in 16 states approved 23 measures out of 32 state and local public transit-related votes. A statewide California ballot initiative that passed included $9.95 billion in bonds to finance high speed rail in California. In Los Angeles, a $40 billion measure passed that will finance new and existing bus and rail lines, along with other transportation projects. In the Seattle area, people voted to expand commuter rail and express bus service and to create a 55 mile light rail system by approving $17.8 billion, and in Honolulu, $3.7 billion was approved for a commuter rail system. The Western Reserve Transit Authority in Youngstown, OH was saved from shutting down by a positive vote by Mahoning County residents. . . 12 measures raising $40 million annually for local public transit systems were approved earlier this year. Adding yesterday's election totals to this earlier amount means that at least $75.4 billion for public transportation was approved by voters in 2008.