Episode 49: Growing Transit Systems for a New World

Hear from these leaders about the status of capital projects in Seattle, Denver and Tampa. Peter Rogoff describes the transit expansion underway in Seattle, with expectations to triple light rail service in the next three years. In the Denver region, Debra Johnson shares, they’ve built many of the projects authorized in 2004 (in a program called Fastracks), but have limited financial capacity for the remaining projects. They are working with partners on a “common set of facts” and finding local sources of financing. In Tampa, a series of capital projects are on hold after the state supreme court declared unconstitutional a voter approved funding referendum.

In each region, the pandemic, changing ridership patterns, and fluctuating funding or costs have led agencies to rethink and adjust plans. Johnson and Rogoff describe how Denver and Seattle have responded to the pandemic and their efforts to bring back or expand service. They dig into cost estimating and ridership projections, acknowledging that the era of high commuter peaks based on “bankers hours” likely are over.

The shift in patterns of ridership in turn means shifts in service planning and even maintenance. It especially highlights the importance of strong working relationships with partners, including unions, building trades and major employers.

It’s a lively conversation, with mention of fare policy, Uber & Lyft, micro transit, financing with TIFIA loans and new approaches to workforce recruitment. At a time of great change, these transit leaders stress the importance of moving ahead and staying nimble in order to provide reliable service for customers.

Johnson calls for a new narrative about transit, noting that “there has not been a case of transit as a mass spreader of Covid.” Rogoff points to young people, whose focus on “being stewards of the planet is changing the conversation at state and national capitals.” Transit, they affirm, provides critical access for essential workers and choice riders both. It is a route around or through congestion and an imperative in facing climate change.