Friday, October 25, 2019

Community Transit Statement on I-976

We have been asked what the effects of I-976 might be to Community Transit. While Community Transit does not directly receive car tab funding, we do receive some state funding that could be impacted. Here is an analysis:


Analysis of Potential Initiative 976 Impacts on Community Transit
October 1, 2019

According to the Washington State Office of Financial Management*, it is estimated that passage of Initiative 976 would remove more than $1.9 billion in Washington State transportation funding over the next six years, including a nearly $1.5 billion impact to the Multimodal Transportation Account. Transit grant funding from that account will be at risk.

Funding that has been awarded to Community Transit from this Multimodal Transportation Account includes:

·         $416,000 in grant funding to support our Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) program in the 2019-2021 biennium. Through the Commute Trip Reduction program, Community Transit works with major employers in Snohomish County to reduce traffic congestion by providing alternative commuter options for employees.

·         $1.7M in special needs transit grants in the 2019-2021 biennium. Community Transit’s special needs programs allow us to provide transportation services for people who may not have access to transportation due to age, income and disability.

·         $5 million in Regional Mobility Grant funds for Swift Green Line operations.

·         $10M to support future Swift bus rapid transit projects through the Connecting Washington funding package.

Future funding from Special Needs Transportation, Commute Trip Reduction, Vanpool Investment and Regional Mobility Grant program are also at risk for reductions in funding if Initiative 976 passes. Community Transit has assumed $26.2 million dollars from state grant funding through 2025 for projects that maintain our system and expand service for our customers.

It is worth noting that it is challenging to predict the full and final effects of the initiative because implementation of the initiative will rely on future decisions made by the legislature and the resolution of any potential legal challenges. 


*https://www.ofm.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/budget/ballot/2019/FiscalImpactStatementInitiative976-093019.pdf
 


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