A bill which passed this legislative session will allow a new, innovative transportation model for seniors to begin providing services in Lexington.

How does it work? Essentially, it's like a private taxi service. Folks pay an annual membership fee of around $50. They then pay a per-ride fee of $4-7 plus $1/mile. Individuals who don't have much money can donate their car to the program's vehicle pool, and then they get ride credits for the value of the car. Afflilate groups in the 8 other cities that have adapted this model have also gotten businesses, such as pharmacies, banks, and doctors' offices, to sponsor the service for low-income folks.

From the Governor's press release:

FRANKFORT, KY – Gov. Steve Beshear today vetoed House Bill 79, the Legislature’s version of a highway construction plan, citing the unprecedented manner in which it would have constrained his administration in the coming biennium.

Marcus Green at the C-J has more. Developing...

Note: This was published in the April 1 C-J

In January Kentuckiana Transportation Action Partnership, a coalition of 25 citizen organizations and businesses, went to Frankfort with a specific message for legislators - "the financial plan of the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project is unrealistic". The Senate and the House both responded with new funding legislation.  The new “Creative Financing” plans are equally unrealistic.  The public is not going to accept tolling one, two or all bridges, higher vehicle registration fees ($30-$40 increases), higher local gas taxes, higher sales taxes, insurance taxes, higher property taxes, hotel room taxes, car rental taxes, local taxing districts, private development financial participation, and public borrowing (bonds and bond secured grants).

The Bridges Project not only ignores funding realities, but it also fails to address broader financial/economic concerns.  It ignores the energy and environmental realities of the 21st Century.  Nor does it address the needs of all people, regardless of socioeconomic status.

 Anonymous Source writes:

I have looked at the supplemental spending bill.  The legislature authorized $231 million in GARVEE bonds:  this total includes $56 million in authorization left from this (2008) fiscal year and $175 million for fiscal years 09 and 10.  This is essentially putting the project payments on a credit card for the next two years; paying for interest in the meantime out of KY federal highway dollars; and pledging future (uncertain) KY federal highway dollars to repay the debt.

From TARC:

The proposed state budget calls for a 30% decrease in funding for public transportation. The three large urban transit systems in Kentucky -- Louisville, Lexington and Northern Kentucky -- testified before the House Transportation Budget Review Committee that $4 million is needed each year of the biennium to avoid service cuts and fare increases.

"Another Dam" Issue

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• Mother Anne Lee Dam Online
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the "KTAP" issue

• Dr. Ron Crouch to speak at CART Quarterly Meeting
• World Car Free Day Rally
• Bluegrass Energy & Green Living Expo Planning
• Introducing KTAP & the Ohio River Bridges Project
• Washington State Buying Track to Get Farmer's Goods to Market
• Study: Does Transit Work?  A Conservative Reappraisal