Public Transit for Indiana

Building Awareness & Engagement for a

21st Century Transportation System

May 2010

About HEC

• Indiana’s largest environmental advocacy organization

• Focuses on advocacy and education of environmental and public health issues

• E-newsletter circulated to 8,000 supporters

• Partner in Indiana Citizens' Alliance for Transit

Transportation in Indiana

Heavy emphasis on roads • 6th highest road density in U.S. • 29 to 1 ratio for road spending vs. transit

• “Major moves”: $6 billion for new roads

• Transportation is a major greenhouse gas source: 45 million metric tons released in Indiana in 2007

Why Public Transit? • Energy savings and reduction in carbon emissions • Less pollution from motor vehicles• Reduced congestion costs• Improved land values and local tax revenues along transit

corridors• Opportunities for urban redevelopment around transit

corridors • Increased access to employment and community services

It’s worth a look: Transit is efficient

Transit in Indiana

Transit in Indiana65 public transit providers • Bus service, paratransit.

• Eight large city bus systems include Indianapolis-IndyGo, Fort Wayne-Citilink, Evansville-METS

• South Shore Line: only commuter rail line in Indiana- operates between South Bend and Chicago

Profile of Central Indiana transit is raised: IndyConnect

• Influential private sector report with mayoral support recommends expanded regional transit system along with road improvements

• Environmental study begins for first Indy-area light rail line

• Light rail, commuter rail, more buses, more pedestrian and bike trails to better serve Indy metro region

What is public transit’s biggest challenge?

• State funding limited— provides about ¼ of total statewide operating costs for transit

• Just 3% of our total state transportation budget goes to transit o Indiana’s Public Mass Transportation Fund (PMTF)-

0.67% of the state sales and use tax to public transit agencies

o Commuter and Electric Rail Service Funds- .12% of the state sales tax to the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (South Shore)

Local funding sources capped

• 35% to 43% of transit operating budgets come from property taxes

• Property tax caps will limit the ability of transit systems

to keep pace with rising costs; more competition for

local revenue

Transit UnderfundedCase study: IndyGo

• 24th largest U.S. metro area, but with 100th largest bus system

• About 30% of operating revenue from local funds

• Better-funded systems average 60%• Charlotte, NC 74% local• Denver, CO 55% local

How does IndyGo compare?

• About half the number of buses compared to peer systems

• Few routes, limited frequency of service— 30 to 60 minute wait

• Forced to be efficient: 2nd lowest ratio of operating expense to vehicle miles among peer systems

More service cuts looming

while ridership grows • 9% budget cut in 2009--$5.7 million

• $3.2 million cut projected for 2010

• More riders will be left at the bus stop:

Ridership up 7.5% 1st Q of 2010

• Most IndyGo riders use buses to get to work

Solutions for Better Transit

• Build an alliance of advocates

• Establish pro-transit policies

• Increase local funding dedicated to transit

Indiana Citizen’s Alliance for Transit (ICAT)

Mission:• ICAT advocates for the

immediate development and ongoing support of comprehensive transit options in communities across Indiana.

www.indianacat.org

Pro-transit policies:Regional transit authority legislation &

state funding flexibility

• Enable counties to create multi-county regional transit authorities to plan, build and operate public transit systems

• Use major moves funds and flexible federal funds for transit

Increase local funding

• Legislation to authorize RTAs to levy local dedicated transit taxes

• Require approval of voters for tax increase o Local sales tax, local income tax, wheel tax,

food and beverage tax

Common Myths—Know the facts

Fact: Entire community benefits from reduced vehicle pollution

60% of central IN ozone pollution from vehicles Large IN urban areas get

failing grades from ALA for air quality

Myth: Transit only benefits people who use it

Myth: Transit only benefits people who use it

Fact: Drivers benefit from reduced traffic

congestion

Myth: Nobody wants to ride transit

Fact: Even where transit service is poor, high gas

costs resulted in more riders– across US and in Indiana

American Public Transportation Association—

“10.2 Billion Trips Taken On U.S. Public Transportation In 2009”  4th Straight Year of More than 10 Billion Trips Despite the Economic Recession”

Myth: Transit has to be subsidized unlike other

transportation

Fact: All forms of transportation are subsidized: Gas taxes do not cover full cost of roads and

auto travel—other taxes and fees make up difference

Myth: We won’t give up cars

Fact: Transit is an essential service--not everyone owns or can drive a car

Transit is an added travel choice– Americans value choice

Making the case for transit

• Quality of life

• Thriving, walkable communities

• Cleaner air, healthier people

• Adding better transit with commuter/light rail improved ROI for central Indiana plan by 41%!

• ULI/PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS “Emerging Trends” real estate report ranked TOD as one of the best bets for investors three years in a row.

Transit is good investment – boosts urban redevelopment

“Best Bets 2007”. . . Global gateways with 24-hour characteristics and mass transportation “have turned into the nation’s investment property meccas.”

Transit gives us more choices, better access, and saves money

Using transit instead of driving can save over $9,400 a year

Reduced dependence on oil • Transit use saves 4.2 billion gallons of gas a

year

• Gulf oil spill reinforces drawbacks of oil use

How does the public feel? • 72% of pro-transit referenda approved in 2009

Questions and Discussion

Citizen’s Guide to Lobbying

A Few Good Points

• Now (before the session) is great time to talk• Less frantic, more casual pace – more quality

interaction• In person meetings in the district are the most

effective type of contact

• Legislators want to hear from constituents

Making Contact

• You have the chance to meet in a relaxed atmosphere in your local area—a big bonus!

• Remember: every visit has an impact!

Be effective • Your credibility is important: only present

accurate information!• Provide compelling information; your job is to

persuade• You may not be an expert, but you can provide

valuable information to legislators

• Local perspective important

Be informed • Who are your legislators? • Know the facts about your legislator: political party,

occupation, leadership positions, legislative committee assignments

• Copies of bills• Find it all at Indiana General Assembly Web site

www.in.gov/legislative

Setting Up a Meeting in Your District

• Call your legislator at local office or home;

ask to meet in convenient location

Or• Approach him/her after community event

At the Meeting

• Bring an extra copy of the bill you will discuss or informative materials about the issue to support your position

• Be on time!

Follow-up

• Email or letter to legislator with thank you

• Report on meeting to HEC staff

Who are key players?

Rep. Bill Crawford (D-Indy)

House Ways and Means Chair

Sen. Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville)Senate Appropriations Chair

Rep. Terri Austin (D-Anderson)House Roads and Transportation Chair

Sen. Tom Wyss (R-Ft. Wayne)Senate Homeland Security, Transportation Chair

Case study: considering community/professional influences & interests

Sen. Kenley• Harvard-trained lawyer• Indiana Senate’s top person on fiscal/tax

matters• Concerned about efficient & responsible

government spending • Represents suburban-rural district with growing

population and land development

How to Contact Your Legislator

By phone:

Indiana State Senate- 317.232.9400 or 800.382.9467

Indiana House of Representatives- 317.232.9600 or 800.382.9841

How to Contact Your Legislator

If you must leave a message, be sure to include:• Your name

• Your address & city • Please (support/oppose) issue or bill number X

How to Contact Your Legislator

If by written message:• An e-mail will be most timely• Find legislator’s e-mail addresses at

www.in.gov/legislative• A written letter must be sent promptly

as the legislative session moves quickly

How to Contact Your Legislator

Written letter:• The Honorable ____ Indiana Senate / Indiana House of

Representatives 200 W. Washington Street Indianapolis, IN 46204

Reach out to others

• Become a transit advocate in your community

• More training available

Questions and Discussion

Find us on

Facebook.com/hecweb twitter.com/hec_ed

and at hecweb.org

Thank you!