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Legislative Agenda

VIA Metropolitan Transit has selected nine (9) key issues to be included in the 2007 Legislative Agenda. The priorities outlined in the agenda are designed to assist VIA in operating more efficiently, pursue additional revenue sources and effectively execute new services. Additionally, VIA will monitor other initiatives that could impact how VIA conducts day-to-day business and protects existing revenue sources.

Over the last two years, VIA has undertaken various initiatives to operate more efficiently and lay the groundwork for the future:

• The passage of the Advanced Transportation District (ATD) now provides VIA with revenue necessary to execute its ten-year plan, improve service delivery and plan for the introduction of new transit options. Additionally, VIA is in the initial stage of planning for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).
• With the dramatic increase in fuel prices during 2006, more commuters were switching to bus travel as their primary transportation option for getting to their destinations. As such, bus ridership increased 11.5% over the previous fiscal year. This rise in ridership prompted VIA to increase and enhance bus service.

At the federal level, VIA continues to request and receive funding to accelerate the purchase of new buses and upgrade a maintenance facility built in 1948. VIA has also been successful in receiving Job Access Reverse Commute funding to assist in providing transit service targeted at non-traditional work-related bus trips. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) was listed as a project in the recent federal transportation re-authorization legislation SAFETEA-LU.

The initiatives outlined in this document will serve as VIA’s Legislative Agenda for the 80th Legislative Session when it convenes January 9, 2007.