You are here  »  About RTA

  Search

What is the RTA?

The Regional Transportation Authority is a government entity that manages the $2.1 billion, 20-year RTA plan, which was approved by Pima County voters on May 16, 2006.

The RTA was formed in 2004 after legislation creating the authority was signed by then-Gov. Janet Napolitano in April. The RTA became effective Aug. 25, 2004.

The RTA is governed by a nine-member board, including representatives from the Cities of South Tucson and Tucson, Pima County, the Towns of Marana, Oro Valley and Sahuarita, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, the Tohono O'odham Nation and the Arizona State Transportation Board.

The RTA Board meets monthly . A Citizens Accountability for Regional Transportation (CART) Committee meets quarterly to provide oversight on the implementation of the plan. A Technical Management Committee also meets quarterly to manage technical issues that may arise. Both committees report to the RTA Board.

For more information about the RTA Board, RTA committees and subcommittees, please click here.

Plan/Ballot Components

The RTA plan as outlined in the 2006 ballot includes roadway, safety, transit, and environmental and economic vitality elements.

Specifically, the roadway element includes 35 roadway projects. The safety element includes intersection and capacity improvements, elderly and pedestrian safety improvements, transit corridor bus pullouts, signal technology upgrades and improvements to at-grade railroad crossings and bridges. More than 200 new bus pullouts and more than 200 new intersections are anticipated. The transit element includes expanded weekday and weekend service, increased bus frequency and service area expansion, new neighborhood circulator service, expanded express service and new park-and-rides. A major transit project includes the addition of a modern streetcar service. The environmental and economic vitality element includes the addition of greenways, pathways, bikeways and sidewalks, new critical wildlife linkages on roadway projects and a small business assistance program called MainStreet. The RTA plan is scheduled to be implemented in four, five-year phases. Projects must be completed as spelled out in the 2006 ballot. Any significant changes to the plan will require voter approval. 

RTA State Statute

State statute provides that the Regional Transportation Authority is a public body and all meetings are open to the public.

None of the RTA members has veto power under the RTA statute, which helps to encourage regional collaboration.
 

RTA Sales Tax

The 20-year, $2.1 billion RTA plan is funded by a countywide transaction privilege tax-or sales tax-which is collected by the State of Arizona. The state, in turn, transfers the collected funds to a regional transportation fund account. The tax may be collected for a maximum period of 20 years as spelled out in the ballot. The tax applies to visitors as well as residents of Pima County.

Pima County voters approved the 1/2-cent sales tax on May 16, 2006, at the same time they approved the plan. Both measures passed with a 3-2 margin.

Sales Tax Collections

The RTA sales tax* is assessed in six major categories:

  • Retail Sales
  • Contracting
  • Utilities
  • Restaurant & Bar
  • Rental of Real Property
  • Rental of Personal Property

*Grocery and pharmaceutical items are tax-exempt.

©Regional Transportation Authority | 177 N Church Ave, Suite 405, Tucson, AZ 85701
Telephone (520) 770-9410, FAX (520) 620-6981