Nearly 50 people met last week to discuss transit funding options for Tacoma. Panelists included Councilmember Lauren Walker, Transportation Choices Coalition Executive Director Rob Johnson, Pierce Transit’s Lars Erickson, and Transportation for Washington’s Field Director Brock Howell.
These transit advocates talked about work being done in Olympia this year (a lot), the prospects for additional funding (not much), and the influence every citizen can have (a lot!). Questions were taken via Facebook before the event and the forum was open to audience members to ask questions during the event.
Johnson reported that just 3 percent of the state’s transportation budget goes to transit in Washington State, while in other states it’s as high as 20 percent. Erickson and Howell both reported that Transportation for Washington and the Washington State Transit Association are advocating for this to change.
Councilmember Walker encouraged attendees to get involved, call their state legislators and walk to talk. She said that many people who advocate for transit, don’t use it, and that we need to change that.
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