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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