Transcript Minnesota`s Public Attitudes Toward Transit Funding

Increased investment in
regional transit
What do voters think?
William Schroeer
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The vast majority of Minnesotans say the state will benefit from
an expanded and improved public transit system.
“Minnesota would benefit from an expanded and
improved public transit system,
such as rail and buses.”
Statewide
Metro Region
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“Minnesota would benefit from having an expanded and
improved public transportation system,
such as rail and buses.”
Agree
Disagree
Hennepin/Ramsey
84%
13%
Collar
76%
22%
South
75%
21%
West-Northwest
74%
20%
Northeast
81%
16%
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A majority of voters across the political spectrum believe
public transit benefits Minnesota.
“Would benefit From Expanded and Improved Public Transit System”
By Party
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There is widespread agreement among Minnesotans that
roads alone will not solve congestion.
“Building additional roads or highway lanes alone would solve the Twin
Cities' traffic congestion problems.”
Metro Region By Party
Statewide By Party
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Two-thirds of Minnesotans say they
would use transit if it were available and more convenient.
“I would like to use public transit such as rail or buses more often,
but it is not convenient to or available from my home or work.”
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Strong support among Minnesota voters for
making investments in transit.
“Would you support or oppose the state of Minnesota making additional investments in
expanding and improving public transit, including buses, trains and light rail if it would
ease traffic congestion and provide more transportation choices?”
58%
Strongly
51%
Strongly
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Support is high across gender and age groups
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There is broad support among Minnesota voters for a
sales tax increase in the seven-county metro area to
fund public transit improvements
 65% of Minnesota voters say they find a 0.5% increase in
the metro area sales tax an acceptable way to fund
improving light rail, buses, and other public transit choices
(33% unacceptable).
 57% of voters in 7 metro counties also say this is an
acceptable option for funding transportation improvements.
 74% of voters outside the Twin Cities metro find the sales
tax option acceptable.
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Existing Transit System
Help transform today’s transit map…
into a competitive economic engine. Visit
www.MoreJobsLessTraffic.com for info.
Will Schroeer
Director, Infrastructure for Economic
Development
612.370.9157
[email protected]
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Extra / backup material
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Today
Transit gets people to work
• 80% of riders going to work or school
• 40% of downtown Minneapolis
– US Bank: 50%
– Ameriprise: 60%
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Today and
tomorrow
We need
transit to
compete for
workers
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Transit makes possible a region
that draws workers and jobs
“Companies are recruiting
and targeting the next
generation of talented
workers, the
Generation Y/millennials
who increasingly prefer
urban lifestyles with mass
transit.”
– Urban Land Institute
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Source: Jeffrey Spivak, “Urban Office Momentum”, Urban Land,
September 14, 2011
Uncertainty delays development
• Uncertainty about funds
– delays transit construction,
– delays jobs,
– delays development.
• Businesses and institutions tell us that they
are waiting to see where SW LRT will go
before building and investing.
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A thriving region is a
product we are making.
Transit is a necessary component.
If we put in too little,
we’ll get a less competitive product.
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Maps to same scale
Source: Bill Rankin,
McKinsey team analysis
Other regions know this
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Our competition is far ahead
And widening their lead
Openings and Const ruct ion St art s Planned for 20 13
January 1st, 2013 |
Yonah Freemark
41 Comments
» Construction continues on rapid transit expansion projects around the country.
This year, more than $64.3 billion worth of transit expansion projects will begin construction, continue construction, or enter into
service in the United States. It’s a huge investment, much of it the product of extensive state and local spending.
Source: http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2013/01/01/openings-and-construction-starts-planned-for-2013/
What is evident is that certain cities are investing far more than 18
others. Among American cities, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Los
…And are benefitting from
their investments
Denver:
#1 Destination for Millennials
Minneapolis: #39
Mayor Hancock: “They’re coming for transit.”
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