Transportation

Because being there is what's most important, WPC's Center for Transportation researches and analyzes the best practices for relieving traffic congestion by recapturing a vision of a system based on freedom of movement.

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What's New

Time to make Sound Transit officials accountable through elected board

Auburn Reporter February 03, 2012 in In the News
Source: 
Auburn Reporter
Date: 
February 3, 2012
Link: 
http://www.auburn-reporter.com/opinion/138659754.html

$1.50 Oil Barrel Tax probably dead

February 02, 2012

Is the Governor’s proposed oil barrel tax dead? Senator Mary Margaret Haugen, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee thinks it is.

During her remarks this morning at the Washington State Good Roads and Transportation Association in Olympia, Sen. Haugen bucked most in her party who think the charge is a fee and said she believes it is actually a tax.

She also said it will be challenged on the floor and based on Lt. Governor Brad Owen’s past rulings on tax vs. fee issues, he will likely also rule the $1.50 charge is a tax.

Public Transit is not underfunded in Washington

January 31, 2012

The following are the key findings in our latest study, and the most recent report in WPC’s five part series looking at the 2012 transportation funding plan.

WPC’s Recommendations on the State’s 2012 Transportation Tax Package, Part II

Jan. 30, 2012 in Publications
By

Michael Ennis, Director, Center for Transportation

, January 2012

This is part two of a five-part series of Legislative Memos that Washington Policy Center offers for lawmakers to consider before preparing a statewide transportation tax increase in 2012. The five recommendations are:

Sound Transit performance audit awarded to TKW

January 26, 2012

The State Auditor's Office has selected Talbot, Korvola & Warwick, LLP (TKW), in conjunction with Delcan Corporation to conduct the performance audit of Sound Transit.

In its proposal, the company says its approach will include the following scope of questions:

1. Has Sound Transit implemented the State Auditor’s recommendations from the prior performance audit in time to benefit Sound Transit 2, which was approved by voters on November 4, 2008? If not, how was ST2 affected?

Legislators introduce bill to toll Alaskan Way Viaduct

January 23, 2012

SB 6444 and its companion bill HB 2675, would add the central portion of State Route 99 in downtown Seattle as an eligible tolled facility.

WPC’s Recommendations on the State’s 2012 Transportation Tax Package, Part I

Jan. 23, 2012 in Publications
By

Michael Ennis, Director, Center for Transportation

, January 2012

This is part one of a five-part series of Legislative Memos that Washington Policy Center offers for lawmakers to consider before preparing a statewide transportation tax increase in 2012. The five recommendations are:

Indonesian railway stringing concrete balls to deter roof riders

January 19, 2012

A common problem in some countries is passengers riding on the roofs of trains because there is not enough room inside. So instead of adding more train cars, officials in Indonesia have a different approach....stringing concrete balls across the tracks to presumably knock people off if they decide to hitch a ride on the roof. Read the article and watch the video. 

Meanwhile, Sound Transit officials have more pressing problems...Light-rail riders drop their pants to lift spirits.

HB 2370: Bike lanes and sidewalks instead of reducing traffic congestion

January 17, 2012

A new bill in Olympia would add Health as a transportation policy goal, leaving congestion relief off the list…again.

Washington has six transportation goals. They are: