Raleigh-Cary Area Ranks Top in US in Growth! WakeUP Calls for Transit

WAKEUP WAKE COUNTY SAYS NEW GROWTH DATA SUPPORTS NEED FOR TRANSIT BILL

WakeUP Wake County, a citizens' nonprofit supporting good growth solutions in Wake County and the Triangle, is calling upon the North Carolina General Assembly to move quickly to approve legislation needed to support plans for regional transit. "According to census data released today, the Raleigh-Cary area is the fastest growing metro area in the nation. Yet we are one of the few urban areas without a real transit system," said Karen Rindge, WakeUP's executive director. "We need to act now on plans for transit, and passing HB 148 / SB 151 - the Congestion Relief transit legislation is absolutely necessary to help up get moving on a bus and rail mass transit system," Rindge commented.

"We are number one in growth, and if we don't plan for the doubling of population expected in the Triangle in the next 20 years, we will experience greatly increased traffic congestion, air pollution and sprawl," said Rindge. Mass transit helps guide growth, protects open space and reduces traffic. Transit systems help direct development along rail lines, preventing sprawl while helping to protect valuable open space and drinking water supplies. What's more, expanded bus service and rail will get job commuters out of their cars, reducing air pollution, and ensuring transportation access to people who are transit dependent.

"The bottom line is that our Triangle counties cannot move forward with plans for a regional transit system without the passage of HB 148," noted Rindge. Local elected officials recently approved a regional multi-modal transit plan through the Triangle metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). The Congestion Relief bill would authorize local governments to hold a referendum to levy a half-cent sales tax to pay for the transit system, along with increasing vehicle registration fees. Access to federal assistance depends upon local commitment to transit plans.

"Let's act now to provide real transportation options to keep up with rapid change in development and to ensure our overall good quality of life and economic well-being," added Rindge.

WakeUP Wake County represents hundreds of citizens concerned about growth and who support effective policy to plan for growth. www.wakeupwakecounty.com