Every five years, voters in the Rogue Valley are asked to renew the levy that helps fund the Rogue Valley Transportation District (RVTD). It’s a familiar item on the ballot, but one worth taking a moment to understand. RVTD provides a vital service to our region, ensuring that hundreds of thousands of people across the valley can reliably get where they need to go. In 2025 alone RVTD provided over 1 million bus rides.

For many residents, public transit is not a convenience; it’s a necessity. Working people, veterans, seniors, students, and people with disabilities depend on RVTD to move throughout our communities. These buses connect riders to jobs, medical appointments, schools, grocery stores, small businesses, and community events. By keeping people circulating through the valley, RVTD helps individuals stay connected to opportunity while also supporting the small businesses that rely on a dependable workforce.

It’s important to clarify that this levy is not tied to the statewide gas tax. The RVTD levy is a separate local funding source that has been in place for decades. Voters in the Rogue Valley strongly supported the measure in both 2016 and 2021, recognizing the essential role transit plays in maintaining a healthy regional economy and accessible community.

This year’s renewal maintains the current service level without increasing the amount residents pay. The levy remains at 13 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, which works out to roughly $3.25 per month for a $300,000 property. In other words, voters are being asked to continue a modest investment that keeps a critical piece of our regional infrastructure operating.

Public transportation also plays an important role in addressing the climate crisis. According to the Rogue Valley’s regional greenhouse gas inventory, transportation accounts for roughly 32% of total emissions in our area. Moving people efficiently through shared transit systems, rather than relying solely on individual vehicles, helps reduce overall emissions while making better use of existing infrastructure.

This is particularly important in Southern Oregon. As the inventory notes, “In southern Oregon, per-capita local passenger transport emissions are higher than the national average.  This finding is not surprising given the region is largely a rural setting with fewer opportunities for alternative transportation (walking, biking, transit, etc.) compared to a higher density, more urban environment.” [pg 4].” Expanding and maintaining transit options like RVTD is one of the most practical ways we can reduce emissions while still ensuring residents can move freely across the valley.

Beyond bus service, RVTD has also invested in programs that help residents explore alternative transportation options. In recent years they have supported bike safety and training programs that help new cyclists become comfortable using local bike infrastructure and understanding the rules of the road. They also provide staff who will accompany first-time riders on the bus system, helping people transition from unfamiliarity with transit to becoming confident daily riders. These programs reduce barriers and help more residents consider options beyond driving.

Each of these efforts – public transit, cycling support, and rider assistance – helps reduce vehicle miles traveled across our region. That reduction is a meaningful step toward meeting our regional climate goals while also improving mobility and accessibility for everyone in the Rogue Valley.

On Election Day, Tuesday, May 19th, voters will once again have the opportunity to sustain this important service.

Southern Oregon Climate Action Now (SOCAN) endorses the RVTD Levy, Measure 15-420, because maintaining accessible, reliable public transportation strengthens our communities, supports local businesses, and helps move our region toward a healthier climate future.

A small investment from voters keeps the Rogue Valley moving.