Phoenix tax hike: $30 billion, 30 year light rail funding (sales, 2015)

[Bondurant]

Our esteemed council passed a $30 billion sales tax hike package to fund light rail. The measure passed 6-3. It will go before the voters and it appears Stanton wants to rush it onto the August primary ballot when turnout is typically low as to have a better chance of passing.

Phoenix passes $30 billion transportation plan

[BIG CATS]

Light rail expansion, street repairs, and more involved public transportation? Gets my vote!

[denverian]

Why so expensive? From what I read, all the light rail expansion all over metro Denver is estimated to cost $6Billion or so.

[Pennies4Penny]

I agree that light rail expansion and other street repairs are important for city maintenance, safety and jobs, but that price tag seems awfully high. What are they trying to sneak in there is my question????

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Pennies4Penny

I agree that light rail expansion and other street repairs are important for city maintenance, safety and jobs, but that price tag seems awfully high. What are they trying to sneak in there is my question????

I'm sure you Phoenix folks will get a more detailed breakdown, but if they are also adding buses and routes (and drivers and the other costs that go with that), there's more $$.

[sargeant79]

Originally Posted by observer53

I'm sure you Phoenix folks will get a more detailed breakdown, but if they are also adding buses and routes (and drivers and the other costs that go with that), there's more $$.

Correct. According to the handful of articles I've read, the funds are also to support new bus lines and other parts of the transit infrastructure, in addition to the light rail expansion.

While I never want to see any increase in taxes, the public transit improvements are critical and I don't see how it gets paid for unless taxpayers are willing to pony up. As a result, I'm very much in favor of this bill. Phoenix is woefully lacking in public transportation infrastructure, especially for a city this size.

[ajonesaz]

The increase is about $.30 per $100 spent so $.003 per dollar which is not even noticeable. I know a lot of people have been hating on the light rail, but it has done a lot for our city. Supposedly millenials demand better public transit. It helps attract big events, conventions and more. Also, look at all the development that sprung up along the light rail. It did help gentrify a lot of trashy areas. I don't mind spending the money as long as they can show the money will only go to transportation.

EDIT...I got my $.30 figure from ABC15 this morning, the article attached says $.70 which is it?????
http://www.abc15.com/news/region-pho...?autoplay=true

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by Pennies4Penny

I agree that light rail expansion and other street repairs are important for city maintenance, safety and jobs, but that price tag seems awfully high. What are they trying to sneak in there is my question????

More bus routes, street resurfacing, etc. Thats why the high price.

[corydon]

30.000.000.000 and 5.000.000 folks, lets say 1% use public transportation, that is a lot of money for 50.000 people....

1% might be a high ball number. In Western Europe, where people live on top of each other in very dense city's, it is 2%.
Street car lines are the most expensive form off transportation to built and maintain.

Could someone tell me how many miles rails have been laid at what cost. Like to break down numbers... The result is often amazing.

[HTY483]

Originally Posted by sargeant79

Phoenix is woefully lacking in public transportation infrastructure, especially for a city this size.

Agreed. Our system is a joke compared to neighboring cities L.A., San Diego and Denver and Phoenix is much larger than the two latter cities. I still cant figure out why we turned down the elevated ValTrans system back in the 90's.