Building for the Future, Clean Communities, Employment

By Tina Nappe

Voting begins October 18: Please vote “yes” on ballot measure 2 to save our bus system. Please excuse the intrusion.

Summary of need: A bus system is a community lifeline.“If service is reduced 25%, RTC projects a ridership loss of approximately 1.35 million trips annually. Looking at current ridership demographics, this means approximately 761,000 fewer trips to and from work, and 355,000 fewer trips by seniors and people with disabilities.” RTC Report 10/19/20

Ballot Measures: Question 2 -Transitimplements the 1/8% transit sales tax authorized under NRS 377A. This adds 1.3 cents to a $10.00 taxable purchase and is projected to yield $280 million through 2040. The average person contributes $1.94 per month. Collection would begin April 2009.

Problem: Bus service (RIDE) relies on sales tax. With a drop in sales tax, service was reduced 9%. If the sales tax is not approved, approximately another 25% further cuts is projected. ACCESS (for disabled users) will also be cut. Ridership per capita will decline 48%.

Transit Ridership: If approved, there will be limited restoration of routes to Spanish Springs and Summit Sierra, a South Virginia rapid transit will be planned, ACCESS will expand, congestion reduced, mobility and access to employment, medical care, services, like grocery stores, events, etc. will continue. Transportation equals self sufficiency.

Growth: The Truckee Meadows (TM) population is projected to increase by 200,000 people to 620,000 by 2030. TM will be growing up and out. Compact growth in downtown Reno and Sparks , Virginia St. , along Mill St. , the Airport, Sierra Summit, etc, with businesses and housing in close proximity encourages walking, bicycling, and bus use. Higher attendance at major events like the balloon races, the new baseball stadium, Hot August Nights, is facilitated with easy bus access. TM has long established neighborhoods and precious open space. New roads are not always welcome and are expensive in terms of land loss, building, and maintenance.

The Economy and Employment: Bus use is at an all time high. In Washoe County the drop in housing values and the foreclosure rate (2,031 properties in second quarter RGJ 7/26/08) are now impacting other economic sectors. The hourly wage for minimal skill jobs is dropping (cashier, for instance, from $8.29-$8.04). Washoe County unemployment is high i.e.6.6% in August. Residents are facing declining home values (81%), higher gas prices, higher living expenses, and stock market losses.

Transportation is the second highest household expense after housing. Those who do have transit available save almost $9,500 per year. Public transportation already saves the U.S. 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline each year.http://t4america.org/

The Environment: Buses transport 40 people at a time, maximize use of existing roads, saves neighborhoods and open space. Buses contribute less to air pollution. Bus use reduces our dependence on foreign oil and importing into Washoe County .

If you don’t ride the bus now….: Many current bus users are low income, disabled, elderly, or our youth. Washoe County has an aging population increasing from 12 to 17% by 2030. About 28% of bus use is by visitors. A healthy bus system is a cost effective option for all of us especially important with the current uncertainty of the economy. As the economy improves, bus funds will help expand service to new communities and more frequent use along established routes.

Where Does the Money Go?: All the money raised in Washoe County stays in Washoe County .

For more information: contact Michael Moreno mmoreno@rtcwashoe.com or (775) 335-1869

Prepared by: Citizens to Save Transit PO Box 2931 Reno, NV 89505 tnappe@nvbell.net Contributions welcome.

Tina Nappe

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