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ElectionWednesday, November 4

Lawrence voters appear to have approved a higher transit sales tax, unofficial results show

The Daily Lawrence teamFrom today’s edition · 1 min read · 3 sources

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If you ride or just shop in town, this one touches you. Voters passed the increase Tuesday, according to unofficial results. With 100% of Douglas County precincts reporting around 9:45 p.m., Lawrence voters were split about 56% yes and 44% no on raising the rate from 0.2% to 0.3%. Mayor Brad Finkeldei called it "a big night for the city."

Lawrence voters split about 56% yes, 44% no on the transit tax

Source: Lawrence Journal-World

View as table
AmountShare
Yes56%56%
No44%44%

Lawrence Transit Director Felice Lavergne said in October that without the increase, the number of city-maintained routes could shrink to three or four. KU's campus is served by routes 4, 8, 11 and 12.

  • New cost: 6 cents per $20 spent, up from 4 cents
  • Fixed-route buses: 11 routes, free to ride
  • Operating costs: $5.8 million in 2016, $11.1 million in 2025
  • location: 711 W. 23rd St., Suite 1, open to the public

The higher transit rate would start April 1, 2027

  1. Nov. 16The Douglas County , set for 9 a.m., makes results official.
  2. April 2027The new 0.3% transit sales tax rate would go into effect.
  3. March 2029The current 0.2% rate was set to expire.
  4. March 2037The 0.3% rate would last through March 31.

Sources: The Lawrence Times, Lawrence Journal-World

Sources: Lawrence Journal-World, The Lawrence Times, The University Daily Kansan

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