APTA - American Public Transportation Association

11/05/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/05/2025 16:20

On Election Night, Voters Fast-Tracked $11.8 Billion for Public TransportationIn 2025, voters approved pro-public transit measures 16 out of 19 times at the ballot

On Election Night, Voters Fast-Tracked $11.8 Billion for Public Transportation
In 2025, voters approved pro-public transit measures 16 out of 19 times at the ballot

Thomas Doyle2025-11-05T17:10:09-05:00November 5, 2025|

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 5, 2025) - On Tuesday, November 4, voters in Colorado, Michigan, North Carolina, New Mexico, and Washington supported measures that boost funding for public transit improvements, expansions, operations, and supporting infrastructure.13 out of 16 ballot measures passed, delivering over $11 billion to public transit, with an 81% win rate. Beyond just funding, in six Colorado jurisdictions, voters took a major step by approving the creation of a Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to meet the needs of a growing population. In total, this year, 16 out of 19 ballot measures passed, resulting in an 84% win rate and $11,773,346,495 in public transit funding.

"Voters have sent a powerful message: public transportation is essential infrastructure that America needs and deserves," said Paul P. Skoutelas, APTA's president and CEO. "These ballot victories represent more than just transit funding-they're investments in our national economy. Public transportation creates good-paying jobs, connects millions of Americans to work, and serves as the backbone of economic activity in communities nationwide. When voters choose to fund public transit, they're choosing economic growth, job creation, and expanded opportunity. The overwhelming support we've seen in 2025, and over the past several years, proves that Americans understand that public transportation isn't just about getting from point A to point B-it's about building stronger, more prosperous communities for generations to come."

"Our communities turned out in strong numbers to support transit initiatives that make local life more equitable and resilient," said Jessica Grennan, Executive Director of APTA's Center for Transportation Excellence. "Even in an off-year election, voters still turn out for public transit, and we continue to see broad support from urban to rural areas and across the political spectrum. Last night's victories join the rest of this year's wins and reflect a decade-long trend: Americans vote for yes for public transportation."

From West to East, voters approved transit improvements in their communities. Some highlights include:

  • Voters in Charlotte, NC, said 'yes' to investing in a future transit system that serves commuters' needs
  • Ellensburg, WA residents supported Prop 1 to keep all services running, deliver planned service upgrades, support ridership growth, and more.
  • Kalamazoo, MI voters said "Yes" to a measure renewing and increasing the millage to keep buses, Metro Connect, and Metro Link running, while sustaining service levels and expanding access.

Results for all 2025 measures can be found on the Center for Transportation Excellence website.

You can find this year's victories for public transit below.

2025 November Transit Ballot Initiative Wins

City/County State Ballot Proposal Summary Total Known Transit Revenue Pass Rate
Mecklenburg County (Charlotte) NC Voters approved a transit sales tax (1-cent increase in current sales taxes) to raise $20 billion over the next 30 years. 40% of that money will be dedicated to roads; 40% will be spent on rail transit; and 20% will be spent on the bus system and new on-demand "microtransit." $11,640,000,000 52.13% - 47.87%
City of Steamboat Springs CO Voters approved the formation of the Yampa Valley Regional Transportation Authority N/A 89.54% - 10.46%
Town of Yampa CO Voters approved the formation of the Yampa Valley Regional Transportation Authority N/A 56.08% - 43.92%
Town of Oak Creek CO Voters approved the formation of the Yampa Valley Regional Transportation Authority N/A 81.37% - 18.63%
Town of Hayden CO Voters approved the formation of the Yampa Valley Regional Transportation Authority N/A 71.77% - 28.23%
City of Craig CO Voters approved the formation of the Yampa Valley Regional Transportation Authority N/A 68.49% - 31.51%
Routt County CO Voters approved the formation of the Yampa Valley Regional Transportation Authority N/A 78.16% - 21.84%
Mountain Village CO Voters passed a 5% excise tax on lift tickets primarily purchased by non-locals, for the annual period between November 1 and April 30. $2,500,000 (annual only) 77.39% - 22.61%
City of Niles MI The City of Niles passed a renewal and increase of a $0.4881 millage to fund public transportation, including the Dial-A-Ride bus system, for four years (2025-2028). The measure is expected to generate about $132,375 annually. $529,500 65.74% - 34.26%
Kalamazoo County MI Voters approved a Central County Transportation Authority (CCTA) tax for public transportation purposes of up to 1.1 mills. It is estimated to raise $7,800,000 in its first year. $39,000,000 67.60% - 32.40%
Albuquerque NM Voters gave the City of Albuquerque the go-ahead to issue $1,625,750 of its general obligation bonds to plan, design, develop, construct, rehabilitate, renovate, expand, recondition, modernize, automate, study, furnish, enhance and otherwise improve, and to acquire property, vehicles, and equipment for public transportation facilities. $1,625,750 62.63% 37.37%
City of Elgin TX The City of Elgin passed Proposition D in order to eliminate the requirement that the City must demonstrate that the public bus line must have a certain number of boardings before the Council can spend money on a passenger train project. This will allow the Council to determine if taxpayer money is to be spent on a passenger train without additional requirements. N/A 68.35% 31.65%
Ellensburg WA Voters approved a repeal of the current 0.2% Transit Benefit District Sales & Use Tax (expiring in 2026) and replaced it with a 0.2% Transit Tax that does not expire in order to fund the Ellensburg Central Transit. unknown 64.34% - 35.66%

2025 Transit Ballot Initiative Wins: Pre-November 5

City/County State Date Ballot Proposal Summary Total Known Transit Revenue Pass Rate
Kalkaska County MI Aug 5 Voters passed a 5-year millage from 2026 through 2030 (inclusive) for the continued operation and maintenance of the Kalkaska Public Transit Authority. $2,116,245 67.7% - 32.3%
Ludington and Scottville MI Aug 5 Voters in Ludington and Scottville renewed a public transportation millage of up to 1.975 mill. The five-year millage will raise about $480,000 each year for the Ludington Mass Transit Authority. The millage covers 20 percent of LMTA's budget. $2,400,000 82.8% - 17.2%
Oklahoma City OK Oct 14 Oklahoma City voters approved 11 propositions that make up a $2.7 billion bond program. Proposition 9 includes funding for a new transit operations and maintenance headquarters facility, and modernizing EMBARK's transit fleet. $87,675,000 75.95% - 24.05%

Contacts: Nicole Watkins, [email protected]; Amy Thompson, [email protected]

###

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

FacebookTwitterLinkedInEmail
APTA - American Public Transportation Association published this content on November 05, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 05, 2025 at 22:20 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]