What’s up with the RTA and why you should care

[Image: Sculpture next to a sidewalk along a median-separated roadway with two lanes in each direction, spotted with a few cars and lined by desert, with the Catalina Mountains in the distance]

When you envision a vibrant, thriving Tucson does it look like the image above?

Is there something missing from this image? Where are the people? Where are the places for people young and old to live and work and shop and enjoy public life? Is there shade to cool people walking in the summer, or while they wait for the bus? Does it feel safe and dignified, and even joyful to experience this place?

The truth is that the project in the photo above is one of the nicer projects that have come out of the current RTA, while many have resulted in much wider roadways, razed buildings, bladed desert, and a heck of a lot more asphalt.

If these types of projects don’t align with your vision for Tucson, it’s time to get involved!

First, here’s some context:

Back in 2006, voters in Pima County approved a twenty-year half-cent sales tax to fund transportation in the greater Tucson region. The RTA (Regional Transportation Authority) is the independent taxing district that was established via the measure, and it is housed within Pima Association of Governments (PAG), the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for eastern Pima County. (And yes, that many acronyms make our heads spin too!) The RTA is governed by an RTA Board which includes representation from eight member jurisdictions (Tucson, South Tucson, Pima County, Sahuarita, Marana, Oro Valley, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, and Tohono O’odham Nation) and one representative from the Arizona State Transportation Board. Keep in mind that representation on this Board is equal; Tucson only has one (unweighted) vote even though it houses the majority of the region’s population.

What’s happening now:

Since its adoption, the RTA has been the largest source of locally-controlled funding to build transportation in our region; it’s the biggest game in town. The sales tax is due to expire in 2026 and the RTA Board is looking to put a measure on the ballot asking voters to renew it for another 20 years.

The Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) is the group that the RTA has tasked with advising on and helping develop what is being put on the ballot.

Why it matters:

Back in 2006, the “package” that was approved by voters included some good stuff like the Tucson Modern Streetcar and categorical funding for things like safety improvements and biking and walking amenities. Unfortunately, much of the original RTA was earmarked for major roadway expansions that have consumed the majority of the funding.

Right now, what’s being proposed for RTA Next—the renewal of the RTA—looks a lot like more of the same; it continues to prioritize the use of private automobiles over everything else. Meantime, the Move Tucson (Tucson’s Mobility Master Plan) envisioning process has confirmed very different priorities for Tucsonans. Maintenance of what already exists, better connectivity of routes for biking and walking, improvements to and expansion of transit, safer crossings for people on foot—these are all things that have been highlighted as priorities through the Move Tucson process. And then there’s Tucson’s Climate Emergency Declaration and growing evidence of Tucson being one of the most rapidly warming cities in the nation. These realities and priorities need to be incorporated into and reflected in anything put before voters!

What to know about the CAC:

The Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) is written into the RTA Next development process, which is key. The Committee has the ability and potential to shift the conversation and reprioritize what RTA Next looks like; it’s a place to push for change.

Unfortunately, in it’s current state, the CAC isn’t working because it isn’t truly representative; it lacks diversity.

There are currently 23 members on the committee. Only 4 are women, 60% are over age 60, and around 80% are White Non-Hispanic. (How is a group that is relatively homogeneous supposed to represent the diverse needs and interests of the greater community?)
There is nothing in place to ensure representation of people with disabilities, persons with low-wealth, persons of the global majority, or other key lived experiences.
There’s also nothing to ensure that diverse geographic representation nor that the experiences of people using different modes of transportation are at the table. (These perspectives seem pretty essential to creating a truly multi-modal vision and proposal, don’t you think?!)

How YOU can get involved

The first step in shifting the RTA’s priorities is to change the makeup of the CAC. A seat on the CAC is a way to ensure that your voice and perspective—and those of people from your community—are heard.

Apply to serve on the CAC and be a part of the change!

You can find out more by going here, or go directly to the online application if you’re ready to get started. Don’t delay—deadline to apply is Friday, September 10th at Noon!