According to a new poll, a majority of local commuters support a half-cent increase in sales tax to fund transit and housing projects, the Metropolitan Transit System and the San Diego Association of Governments announced Wednesday.
MTS found at least 70 percent of commuters supported this sales tax increase to pay for projects such as a trolley connection to the airport and improving roads that support transit services.
“We have a significant public interest in bringing fast, safe, reliable public transit to San Diego and the region,” said San Diego County Supervisor and MTS Board Member Nathan Fletcher in a released statement.
The ballot measure will improve transportation by increasing speed, improving MTS frequency, and increasing the number of stops made available, according to San Diego City Council President and Chair of the MTS Board of Directors, Georgette Gomez.
The ballot measure could also help develop plans to allow MTS parking lots to be used for affordable housing.
“The parking lots are land that MTS owns so there is a possibility to partner with developers to bring much-needed housing," Gomez said. “And part of the policy is doing at least 20 percent affordable housing but, we want to do more.”
Over the next six months, MTS plans to hold community meetings to gather input from the public about what projects they would like to see on this ballot measure.
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MTS said it hopes to have the ballot ready for voters by 2020.
