Minnesotans “Voted YES” for a transportation system that supports increased bus and rail transit, as well as better-maintained roads. The transportation amendment establishes the first dedicated funding source for transit in the state, giving transit the reliable source of funding that highways have had for 50 years.

Passing the transportation amendment provides $120 million per year to keep key transit projects - including the Central Corridor light rail transit line, Northstar Commuter Rail, and the I-35W, Cedar Avenue and Bottineau Boulevard bus rapid transit lines - on track. It also eliminates the need for fare increases and service reductions - cuts that would have happened if the amendment didn’t pass.

Steven Sasnow, who headed up the Minnesota Senior Federation’s efforts in support of the amendment, said “this is truly a major statewide victory for all seniors and those in need of decent, affordable transit services.” Sasnow added, “We will also b working with our allies to secure adequate funding for other needed state services during the five-year phase in of the transit amendment.”

“Passing this amendment shows that people living in this state want to fund more bus, light rail and commuter rail options, in addition to maintaining good roads,” says Lea Schuster, executive director of Transit for Livable Communities. “We will continue working with our elected officials to give Minnesota a more balanced transportation system, either through a regional sales tax or more flexible funding.”

With one million new people living in Minnesota by 2020, our state urgently needs more transit to limit congestion, reduce transportation costs for families and businesses, and maintain the region’s air and water quality. The Minnesota Senior Federation, working through the Transit Partners coalition, is working to complete the Met Council’s transportation plan, which would dramatically expand the availability of public transit in the seven-country Twin Cities metro area by 2020. Funding from the amendment is projected to provide 40 percent of the necessary funding.

The Minnesota Senior Federation, along with the Transit Partners Coalition, will reintroduce the Transportation Choices 2020 (TC2020) initiative at the legislature this year. TC2020 proposes a new local source of transit revenue to fully fund the regional Transportation Policy Plan by 2020, ensuring that Minnesotans can travel safely and affordably. “Minnesotans are hungry for more transportation choices,” says RT Rybak, mayor of Minneapolis. “The amendment gives us the stability we need to protect current service and a good start on building a 21st century transportation system in this state.”

If you would like to work with the Senior Federation on transit (rural, suburban or urban) issues during the coming year, or the Central Corridor Light Rail Corridor, contact Steve Sasnow at 952/368-9300 or the Federation office at 651/645-0261.