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Why Regional Transit?

The Original 1996 Sound Move Plan (continued)

Principles and Commitments

By adopting this ten-year plan, the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) commits to the following principles:

• Regional scope - the RTA's plan is a regional system designed to recognize regional as well as local needs throughout the three-county RTA District. The RTA recognizes that investments in any particular subarea yield benefits throughout the region, and that these shared benefits help tie the RTA District together.
  
• Conservative funding assumptions - the primary funding sources will be modest voter-approved local tax increases, federal grants and long-term bonding. The RTA assumes no state funds, thus placing no additional demand on limited state resources that are needed for other regional transportation investments. The RTA assumes federal funding for new rail starts of $55 million per year and other federal funding sources of $18 million per year. Additional funds will be requested but the plan does not speculate beyond current sound estimates of federal support.Local tax rate increases will include a local sales tax increase not to exceed 4/10 of one percent and a motor vehicle excise (license tab) tax increase not to exceed 3/10 of one percent.
  
• Equitable distribution of revenues - local tax revenues will be used to benefit the five subareas of the RTA District (Snohomish County, North King County, South King County, East King County and Pierce County) based on the share of revenues each subarea generates. This distribution formula will apply to all future phases.
  
• Simultaneous work on projects in all subareas- work will begin on projects in each of the subareas so benefits will be realized throughout the region as soon as possible. Projects likely to be implemented in the latter part of the ten-year period are those requiring extensive engineering and community planning.
  
• Coordinated services - regional and local transit services will be coordinated and a single fare structure will be used.
  
• System completion within ten years - different parts and segments of the plan will be implemented in stages and be operational as soon as possible; the entire system will be completed and operational within ten years.
  
• System expansion or tax rollback - Any second phase capital program which continues local taxes for financing will require voter approval within the RTA District. If voters decide not to extend the system, the RTA will roll back the tax rate to a level sufficient to pay off the bonds and operate and maintain the investments made as part of Sound Move.
  
• Annexations and extensions of service outside the RTA District - the RTA may provide services outside the taxing district by contracting with local agencies. Areas that would benefit from RTA services may be annexed into the RTA District if citizens within those areas vote for annexation.
  
• Public accountability - the RTA will hire independent auditors and appoint a citizen committee to monitor RTA performance in carrying out its public commitments. Citizens will be directly involved in the placement, design and implementation of facilities in their communities.