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Originally Posted by Cirrus
Another southern metropolis smaller & less urban than Denver is considering a downtown light rail subway. This time Charlotte. |
Sounds like an underground pipe-dream.
Politics is a Fickle Mistress
Transit Systems Face Shortfalls After State Budget Cut
By DAVID BORAKS • JUL 3, 2018/WFAE
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State funding for public transportation was cut 26 percent in the budget passed last month by the Republican-controlled General Assembly. That has local agencies like Charlotte Area Transit System scrambling to replace the funds.
Lawmakers shrank the size of the State Maintenance Assistance Program, which helps local bus and transit systems pay for things like drivers' salaries, fuel, insurance and vehicle maintenance.
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How will this affect Charlotte?
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In the fiscal year that ended June 30, CATS got about $11.1 million from the state. This year, it's getting $3.2 million less, or a cut of about 29 percent. The big question is whether CATS - and other affected agencies - will have to reduce service.
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Denver is fortunate they created RTD decades ago. Metro funded transportation is working very well for Phoenix and Seattle. At this point RTD could use more funding but still it's in (relatively) good shape.
Denver has their city eyes on funding better transit/mobility options some day; meanwhile, there will be 5 different ballot proposals for increased taxes supporting various causes this November. The proposal to fund parks, trails and open space with a .25 percent sales tax should pass easily; dunno about the others.