CATA, the November millage, and What’s at Stake
An item on the November 4th ballot will decide CATA’s future for years to come.
View CATA's millage brochure (PDF) | Listen to an audio recording of CATA's millage brochure.
Voters have been asked to approve a 0.787 mill increase for CATA operations for five years (2008-2012). For a $100,000 home, that equals $39.35 per year, or less than most people pay for a tank of gasoline. All the money would be used to operate the CATA system.
The CATA millage will be one of the last items on the November 4th ballot, but the outcome is critical for CATA’s ability to maintain services and meet increasing transportation demands in the Greater Lansing area.
People ride CATA buses like never before.
Area citizens will take more than 11 million rides on CATA buses this year. That’s an amazing number for a region where 277,000 people live. CATA is seeing double digit monthly ridership increases compared to last year on fixed-route services. Several months’ ridership hit the 20% mark. Over the last decade CATA ridership has risen 250 percent.
Average weekday ridership exceeds 49,000 rides.
The CATA funding gap.
April 2008 CATA fare increases helped, but state and local funding are the major revenue sources to keep the buses rolling. Fares alone aren’t enough to operate a public transportation system, and state funding is not growing as operating costs increase.
In the past eight years, state funding has shrunk from covering 50% of CATA’s operating budget to 31% (for FY08). Fuel price increases impact CATA’s budget just like yours. When the price of fuel goes up by $1 per gallon, it increases CATA operating costs by more than $1 million per year.
FY07 Operating Revenue:
- 47% Local Funding
- 33% State Funding
- 20% Fares and Other Revenue
The power of public transportation.
Like police and fire, CATA is a not-for-profit service available to everyone. Every day, CATA takes thousands of workers to jobs, shoppers to stores and students to schools. For many, including the elderly and persons with disabilities, CATA is a lifeline to independent living. Businesses cite good public transportation as a key asset in deciding whether to locate or stay in the Capital Area.
CATA efficiency leads the nation.
CATA works hard to run a lean operation. In fact, its record of efficient service delivery over a 3-year time period (2004-2006) prompted the American Public Transportation Association to name CATA the best system its size in North America.
Public transportation means less traffic and cleaner air. CATA’s new hybrid diesel-electric buses cut emissions by 90% and consume 20% less fuel. As old buses are retired they’re being replaced by the cleaner and more efficient hybrids. Many CATA buses are also fitted with hybrid fan systems, producing additional fuel savings.
The Millage Request
What happens if the millage passes?
Passage of the millage allows CATA to maintain existing services, meet the rising cost of fuel and other operating expenses, and respond to the increasing community need for bus service. Every dollar of the millage would be used to operate bus service. No millage funds will be used for buildings or bus purchases.
What happens if the millage fails?
If the millage fails, CATA will be forced to make deep cuts in service. Weekday evening service likely will be cut. So will all Saturday and Sunday service on most routes. Some routes will be eliminated. Others will run less often. Cuts will also be made to Spec-Tran bus service for persons with disabilities. Some of the service cuts will come as early as this winter, with additional cuts made next year. This all adds up to reducing a strong system to service levels last seen in the mid-80s.
CATA ballot language.
This is how the CATA millage request will appear on the November 4th ballot. Be sure to go to the end of the ballot.
Shall the public transportation authority, the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA), for continued service, as provided for by Public Act 55 of 1963, as amended, levy additional taxes in an amount not to exceed 0.787 mill (that being [Article].787 per thousand dollars of taxable value) on real and personal property located within the City of Lansing, City of East Lansing, Meridian Township, Lansing Township, and Delhi Township for the years 2008 through 2012 inclusive? If approved and levied this millage would generate approximately $4,750,000 in 2008.
Please vote November 4.