Metroplex City votes to Retain Transit
RICHLAND HILLS - Voters decided Saturday by a 2-to-1 majority to continue the city’s 10-year membership in the Fort Worth Transportation Authority.
Voters keep the T in Richland Hills
By John Kirsch
Star-Telegram Staff Writer Feb. 07, 2004
About 67 percent of voters, or 725, cast ballots to remain in the T, and 33 percent, or 360, voted to leave the authority, according to unofficial results announced Saturday evening at City Hall. The City Council will canvass the election results Tuesday.
T Executive Director Dick Ruddell said he was pleased by the outcome.
“I want to thank the citizens of Richland Hills for showing confidence in public transportation,” he said.
Residents who wanted to stay with the T said it does a good job of serving the city of 8,200. The authority provides van transportation by request for residents, including the disabled. It also gives rides to about 60 children each day to schools in the city.
“It’s a service for the citizens, and they stood up for that,” resident Dave Ragan said.
Those who wanted to ditch the T argued that the half-cent sales tax dedicated to it would be better used for crime control or street repairs. The tax generated $503,474 for the T last year.
The City Council will cancel an agreement the city made with two private firms to provide interim transit services if voters had opted out of the T.
Despite the lopsided vote, opponents of the T may not let the issue die, resident Jean Spieker said after the vote was counted.
“Next year’s another day,” she said.
A pro-T group spent about $1,000 to mail materials to voters urging them to support staying in the authority.
City Secretary Terri Willis said Saturday that the group has not filed a required report detailing its contributions and spending. The report was due Jan. 30, she said.
Lake Worth left the T in September. Fort Worth and Blue Mound also belong to the T.