America's 2008 election process is setting a record, not just because of the crucial and history-making presidential contest, but also because across the country there are more major rail public transport initiatives on the ballot than – as far as we can tell – at any time in US history.

So far, we count no less than ten (10) major rail passenger transportation projects that would be funded by measures on the ballot and up for a vote on November 4th. We've already provided important details for most of these in our article » Armada of Transit Initiatives Heads Toward USA's November 2008 Ballots «.

Here's a quick rundown of the most important measures:

Rail New Start Projects

• Honolulu — Rapid rail system referendum... See: » Honolulu — Rail transit referendum «

• Kansas City — Light rail project, funded by sales tax... See: » Kansas City — Light rail project with dedicated revenue – re-vote « and » Kansas City: Chamber, tourism industry, leading paper all urge Yes vote on light rail «

• Sacramento — Streetcar project, funded by sales tax (separate from Regional Transit's interurban light rail)... See: » Sacramento Area — Streetcar funding via sales tax extension «

• Sonoma-Marin Counties, California — SMART regional passenger rail project, funded by sales tax... See: » Sonoma-Marin Counties, California — Regional passenger rail New Start faces vote «

• California (statewide) — Intercity highspeed rail project, via bond funding... See: » California (Statewide) — Highspeed intercity rail project with bond funding «

Rail Extension and/or Support Projects

• St. Louis — Ongoing funding and extensions to MetroLink light rail and transit system, new sales tax funding... See: » St. Louis — Support for LRT with dedicated revenue «

• Seattle — Extensions to Link light rail system, new sales tax funding... See: » Seattle Area — Another public transit expansion effort «

• Los Angeles — Extensions to MetroRail rapid rail and light rail system and Metrolink regional passenger rail, via expanded sales tax funding... See: » Los Angeles — Tax increase for highways & transit «

• San Jose — Extension to BART rapid rail system, via expanded sales tax funding... See: » San Jose — Public revenue support measure for BART rail rapid transit «

• Albuquerque — Ongoing funding via regional revenue district... See: » Albuquerque: Yet another rail transit funding initiative on Nov. 4th ballot «

Besides these major rail transit-related initiatives, across the country there are important measures for funding various smaller bus-only transit systems, such as operations in Reno, Nevada and Youngstown, Ohio. Check the Center for Transportation Excellence website:
http://www.cfte.org

A listing of articles on Light Rail Now! that address some of the most critical issues involved in America's November 4th election – including issues that many public transport advocates believe any new administration in Washington should address – is incorporated in our webpage USA Election Issues 2008.

In any election, the fate of transit ballot initiatives impacts the prospects of public transportation throughout the country. In the view of the Light Rail Now Project, the more of these that pass, the more the message comes across that public transportation is important to the voting public. And this could have widespread beneficial implications for public attitudes and policies across the board toward public transportation and rail passenger services.