At Transportation Choices, we have a vision of a transportation system that provides opportunity for everyone to get where they need to go safely, efficiently, and affordably. Every year, we work hard to achieve that vision, and 2012 was no exception.
Here are some of the themes from TCC’s past 12 months.
Breakthrough
When state transportation fees were increased, we made sure that some of the additional revenue from the increases was set aside for transit operations and Safe Routes to School. This is the first time in over a decade that the state will directly fund transit operations. We like the precedent this sets and will continue to push for a more equitable distribution of our state’s transportation resources.
Innovation
We passed a personal carsharing bill (HB 2384) that will expand carsharing opportunities to more communities. The bill clearly spelled out insurance liability issues (often a barrier to personal carsharing) and is now widely viewed as a model for the nation.
We introduced HB2370, a bill that adds health to the state’s existing transportation goals. While it didn’t make it through the legislature in 2012, we have plans to reintroduce it in the 2013 session.
We launched Books on the Bus, Washington’s first book club for bus riders, as a way to increase community on public transit. The program has hundreds of participants, and we’re already on our second book. (Sign up today if you haven’t already.)
Disappointment
We worked very hard to pass Pierce County’ Prop 1, the ballot measure to prevent the near decimation of Pierce Transit. The measure lost by a heartbreaking 700 votes.
Our legislative priority was passing a local options bill in Olympia, to secure funding sources for transit agencies that are more stable, reliable, and progressive than sales tax. Unfortunately, the bill wasn’t successful this year.
Moving forward
While we’re certainly disappointed about the things that didn’t go our way, we don’t have time to be depressed. We’re already gearing up for 2013, exploring options to preserve as much service as possible for Pierce County transit riders, and making local funding options for transit agencies our most important priority.
2013 also happens to be our 20th anniversary year, and we’re planning lots of ways to celebrate, commemorate, and share our vision for the next 20 years. Stay tuned for details!
Happy holidays, and thanks for supporting Transportation Choices.
