The Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) is a new dedicated source of funding for expanding public transportation service in Oregon. (Read our earlier coverage of STIF & activity in the Salem-area). Eighteen of the forty-two eligible transit providers in Oregon have submitted applications for the first STIF review cycle, which started in November 2018. The first round of STIF applications have been recommended to the Public Transportation Advisory Committee for review, before final approval from the Oregon Transportation Commission.
This is also your opportunity to review and make public comment on the applications, including those submitted by TriMet and Salem Area Mass Transit District/Cherriots. The STIF applications are available online for your review. Comments must be made by February 4th by e-mail or attending the public hearing at 1:15 p.m., ODOT’s Region 2 campus in Building X, 885 Airport Road SE, Salem.
The remaining twenty-four transit providers eligible for STIF funding are expected to apply in May of this year – included Lane Transit District (LTD). Transit Tomorrow is LTD’s initiative to identify needed improvements for the public transit system in the greater Eugene-Springfield region. It’s also a public engagement campaign to solicit feedback and determine the community’s top priorities for transit.
In 2018, LTD surveyed the community and received more than 1,000 responses, which informed four possible system design scenarios “that demonstrate how LTD service could change based on two major trade-offs: Ridership vs. Coverage and Service vs. Affordability.” Here’s what LTD says about Transit Tomorrow’s next steps:
Jan. to Feb. 2019 – Additional public engagement events and online open house to weigh Ridership vs. Coverage and Service vs. Affordability.
March 2019 - LTD Board of Directors to make a policy-level decision about the future transit network, based on all the public input received during the public engagement period.
Spring 2019 – Transit Tomorrow design team to develop a proposed network that could be implemented over the next three years, then present back to LTD Board in late spring.
Fall 2020 – Possible significant service changes, pending STIF application process
Don’t miss this opportunity to share your transit priorities with LTD! Participate in the Transit Tomorrow Online Open House - open now through February 28, 2019.
