Voters Show Strong Support for Public Transportation as 72% of Transit Measures Pass on November 8

November 8, 2016 was an historic day for public transportation in the United States as voters approved 33 of 46 local and statewide public transit measures for a current passage rate of 72 percent based on unofficial election results. Three measures on November 8 ballots remain to be called. Throughout the country in 2016, in 23 states and communities of all sizes, voters considered nearly $200 billion in local investment for public transportation at the ballot box.

The number of November 8 ballot measures (49), as well as their collective total amount (nearly $200 billion), were the largest in history. Yesterday's success demonstrates that voters have once again continued their legacy of strong support for local investment in transit options. Since 2000, the average success rate of transit measures is 71 percent.

Furthermore, 77 total transit measures appeared on ballots throughout 2016, the highest number on record. This follows a growing trend in the number of measures annually, which indicates local communities are increasingly understanding the need for local investment in public transportation and recognizing that ballot initiatives can be a powerful way to meet that need. See the list here.

"Americans from every background agree that more public transportation is great for their community. And with a passage rate of 72 percent, they show they are more than willing to pay for it," said American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Chair Doran J. Barnes.

"This remarkable passage rate for public transportation measures sends a strong message to President-elect Donald Trump and to Congress that Americans support moving forward with funding from all levels of government that connects infrastructure investment with job opportunities and our country's economic vitality," said APTA Acting President and CEO Richard A. White.

Jason Jordan, executive director of the Center for Transportation Excellence, noted, "Voters nationwide upheld the demonstrated legacy of strong support for transit at the ballot box. Clearly, communities continue to recognize the economic, social, health, and environmental benefits transit can provide and are willing to support and invest in its expansion and maintenance."