With the passage of the WashPIRG-backed Sound Transit Proposition 1, voters approved 36 new miles of new light rail, expanded bus service and added additional commuter rail service.

“Residents of Pierce, King and Snohomish counties can look forward to a regional transportation network that will integrate the region’s renowned bus and commuter rail service with an advanced light rail network, providing transportation options for the 21st century,” said WashPIRG’s David Kosmos.

After voting down a combined road and transit measure in 2007, the overwhelming victory of this year’s transit-only initiative gives momentum to WashPIRG’s work to bring transportation solutions to Washington.

What’s Ahead For Transit
Victory on Prop 1 is an important step forward in WashPIRG’s ongoing work to build a 21st century transportation system for our state. Building on this victory, WashPIRG will continue to work with U.S. PIRG to force a shift in federal transportation spending away from expensive and needless new highway projects toward repairing crumbling bridges and expanding public transportation options.

In the coming months, Congress will have to create its six-year, approximately $500 billion transportation funding plan. WashPIRG is pushing to double funding for public transportation and focus funding on repairing aging infrastructure, not building new roads.

“In the face of powerful road-building, oil and auto lobbies, shifting from a system that favors highway expansion to public transportation is no easy task,” Kosmos stated. “But with crippling congestion and skyrocketing energy prices, we must take action.”