Transit campaign set to kick off soon

With the passage of House Bill 148 by the 2009 General Assembly, authorizing a referendum on a sales tax increase in Wake, Durham, and Orange Counties (fiscal details here) to fund a regional rail system and a rapid increase in bus service, supporters turn next to a potential referendum campaign in 2010 or 2011. See the proposed regional map here.  (click header or "read more" to see remainder of post)

Similar to Mecklenburg's 1/2% sales tax referendum that led to the first part of their light rail system opening in 2007 (with extensions being engineered), the Triangle plan currently calls for a light rail system running from UNC Hospitals to Durant Road in North Raleigh, via downtown Durham, RTP, NCSU, and downtown Raleigh. Plans also include later extensions to Wake Forest and Apex. Prior to getting started on the actual rail construction, funding for expanded intra and inter city bus service will be available for all three counties, with bus expansions concentrated on Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Cary, Durham and Raleigh and connections between them, as well as more expresss bus service from outlying areas. The RTP has been authorized to levy a special tax district property tax supplement to fund connections between RTP, the regional rail line, and RDU airport. Light rail stops in southern Orange County are currently designed to include UNC Hospitals, Smith Center/South Campus, 54 East (in the transit corridor dedicated by 54 East developer Roger Perry, Meadowmont, and two or three more stops before crossing I-40 about 100 yards east of 15-501. The route will then parallel 15-501 to downtown Durham.

The referendum has to be authorized now by the three county board of commissioners. The legislation allows four potential referendum dates the next two years -- May or November of 2010, or October or November of 2011.  Wake Up Wake County has already begun organizing for the next stage, holding a well attended forum last year, with its spin off Capital Area Friends of Transit .

Southern Orange went through several referenda in the 1970s to authorize transit -- a 10 cent property tax was defeated in Chapel Hill and Carrboro in 1971 (losing in Chapel Hill by less than 10 votes as I recall), then approved by Chapel Hill voters in 1974 and finally in Carrboro by the voters in 1976 or 1977,

Now, Durham Orange Friends of Transit (DO Transit) is about to get off the ground. A kickoff meeting is tentatively set for a location between Durham and Chapel Hill for Wednesday evening, November 4 (fittingly, as soon as possible after the current elections are over). If you want to get involved in that campaign, sign the petition on the DO Transit website, contact Bo Glenn and/or post here. More details will be posted about the November 4 kickoff for the Durham/Orange organizing efforts.

To sign the petition statement below, select one of the three choices

I am a :

• Citizen
• Civic Leader
• Organization Representative

excerpt from statement of support: 

OUR STATEMENT OF SUPPORT:

"Durham-Orange Friends of Transit (DO Transit) recognizes that transit is essential to maintain a high quality of life for all by providing convenient, accessible and affordable transportation choices that improve job and economic growth, and protect the environment. We support a comprehensive regional transit system which creates efficient travel options and supports sustainable land use patterns that will help our metropolitan area continue to grow and prosper while preserving our quality of life.

"We support implementation of the recommended vision of the Special Transit Advisory Commission (STAC), as incorporated into the Long Range Transportation Plans of the Triangle's two Metropolitan Planning Organizations and urge development of specific, local plans including, but not limited to:.

• expanded local and regional bus service;
• circulators for the major population and activity centers;
• express service to the Airport from major metropolitan areas;
• light rail transit (LRT) from North Raleigh to Chapel Hill; 
• park and ride lots connected by the transit network; and
• enhanced transit access for pedestrians and cyclists.

.....