US TRANSIT FUNDING. PART 4. LRT PLANS PROLIFERATE: (WESTERN AND NORTH WESTERN PARTS OF THE USA)

The article reviews several Light Rail Transit (LRT) schemes, indicating the scope and design of each project and giving examples of the potential sources of funds for each. Most states plan to fund their developments by a mixture of federal and state income, but there are wide variations on the method from state to state. Small sales - tax increases are being proposed in Utah and Colorado. Utah hope to augment funds from their local tax with federal funds, whereas Colorado have tried to persuade businesses along the line to contribute to the funding. More recently, Denver has proposed to increase state income tax, the state payroll tax, double the driving licence fee and increase motor vehicle registration fees. The recently opened line in Oregon is very successful and running costs are such that each LRT passenger costs one third less to carry than each bus passenger. The line, which has led to the development of retail and commercial activity along its length, was 82 per cent federal financed, the state providing 12 per cent. Portland is attempting to use a state petrol tax as a potential source of funding for LRT expansion. A 'commuter' tax on employees is being proposed by Seattle together with increases in excise duty, parking tax and petrol tax. Plans to build a tunnel beneath the business centre, operated by dual mode buses are a potential rival to LRT in Seattle. (TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Ian Allan, Limited

  Coombelands House, Addlestone
  Weybridge, Sutton KT15 0HY,   England 
• Authors:
  • Demery, L W
• Publication Date: 1990-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 75-84
• Serial:
  • MODERN TRAMWAY AND LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT
  • Volume: 53
  • Issue Number: 627

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Commuting; Finance; Financing; Light rail transit; Private enterprise; Public transit; Taxation
• ITRD Terms: 263: Economics of transport; 244: Financing; 183: Government (national); 192: Local authority; 221: Operating costs; 143: Planning; 744: Public transport; 1181: Rapid transit system; 378: Region; 268: Tax; 1191: Underground railway; 313: Urban area; 8122: USA
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Finance; Highways; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00612479
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 31 1991 12:00AM