About T4VT
Transportation for Vermonters (T4VT) is a diverse coalition of individuals, organizations, businesses and institutions committed to working together, creatively, and across sectors to achieve a sustainable, accessible transportation system in a rural state. Find a full list of members below.
Why T4VT?
Transportation is the largest source of air pollution and accounts for nearly half of the greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont.
This is partly because nearly all vehicles registered in the state are powered by fossil fuels. It is reinforced by our transportation infrastructure, which is predominately designed to support vehicular traffic, reducing opportunities for healthy, active transportation choices.
For nearly two decades, Vermont’s people, state agencies, transit providers, advocates, and others have made great strides to address sustainable mobility issues in the state. Successes have included increased transit, more sidewalks and bike facilities, investments in compact land use patterns, alternatively fueled vehicles, and policies that acknowledge the multiple benefits a transportation system can provide.
However, too many Vermonters still lack affordable, convenient, reliable transportation to schools, jobs, healthcare, and other services. Such access is essential for people’s quality of life (at every stage of life), economic opportunity, and health, as well as the state’s economy as a whole.
The time is right for Vermont organizations and leaders to work together to advance policies, plans and programs that expand mobility choices for all Vermonters, improving health, safety and quality of life, reducing environmental impacts, preventing sprawl, and strengthening the state’s economy.
2022 Policy Agenda
Click here to read our 2022 Policy Agenda. Find past years’ agendas below.
Our main agenda items in 2022 are to:
Expand Transportation Options to Reduce Dependence on Single-Occupancy, Internal Combustion Vehicles and to Better Serve All Vermonters
To increase and improve multimodal mobility options, we must make substantial and sustained investment in a range of infrastructure and programs that support local action and accessible transportation alternatives. Investments in active transportation (e.g. biking, walking and other micromobility modes) and shared mobility (e.g. public and micro-transit, carshare, and more) infrastructure must be maintained and expanded. Coordinated transportation demand management (TDM) planning programs should be required for state offices and large employers, while funds from the Mobility and Transportation Innovations Grant Program can incentive innovative strategies. We must also take advantage of our existing rail infrastructure, and plan for and invest in improvements to increase commuter, long-distance passenger and commercial rail use.
Support Downtowns, Villages, and Compact Community Centers
Compact community centers where housing, jobs, schools, and services are closer together allow for more transportation options like public transit, walk/bike infrastructure, and EV charging stations. To support smart growth development, we must continue to provide financial and technical support for state-designated centers. We must also improve existing policies such as Complete Streets and the Vermont State Road Design Standards to ensure streets safely accommodate all users and transportation modes. Incoming federal recovery and infrastructure funds should be directed to the most impactful actions, including funding for water and sewer infrastructure in compact centers to increase housing development and transportation options.
Reduce Barriers to Electric Vehicle (EV) Adoption
The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) must be rapidly accelerated to reduce carbon emissions and avoid the most dire effects of climate disruptions. To do so, EVs must be as financially and logistically accessible as possible: funding for EV purchase incentives, vehicle replacement programs, and EV charging station grant programs must be increased to better serve low-income and BIPOC Vermonters. Current EV incentive programs should also be expanded to allow municipalities, non-profit organizations, and businesses to participate and transition vehicle fleets.
Commit to Long-Term Funding for Sustainable Transportation and Align Budgets with Priorities
Without long-term, dedicated funding for non-SOV and public transportation infrastructure, amenities and initiatives, Vermont will continue to struggle to meet its social, environmental and economic goals. Recognizing that existing revenue streams are declining as projects with ever-increasing costs are demanded, new and innovative funding is needed. T4VT supports an equitably implemented Transportation and Climate Initiative program (TCI-P), when regionally viable, or a commensurate approach to provide sustainable funding for efficient transportation options. Incorporating screens for state budgets, including for the Transportation Bill, can help to ensure funds are appropriated to support state climate and equity policy. We must also disincentive high emission vehicles and incentivize those with low emissions by implementing a new-vehicle efficiency price adjuster; doing so in a way that mitigates potential impacts on rural and low-income purchasers is key.
T4VT News
August 2022: Public Engagement Opportunities for Clean Transportation Rules
February 2021: Transportation for Vermonters releases 2021 policy agenda
July 2020: Legislative updates from 2019-2020 session (Passage of Transportation bill, GWSA, and other highlights)
June 2020: Letter to the Vermont Senate Transportation Committee stressing the importance of funding transportation priorities in COVID-19 recovery
January 2020: Investing in Clean, Convenient Transportation Choices Across our Rural State (commentary by Kate McCarthy)
January 2020: Transportation for Vermonters releases 2020 Policy Agenda
November 2019: T4VT participates in regional policy proposal for the Transportation Climate Initiative
April 2019: T4VT urges legislators to address emissions repair costs without undermining clean air
January 2018: VNRC submits comments regarding use of VW Mitigation Trust funds
Current members
AARP VT
American Lung Association in Vermont
CarShare Vermont
Chittenden Area Transportation Management Association
Green Mountain Transit
Local Motion
Renewable Energy Vermont
Vermont Chapter of the Sierra Club
Vermont Clean Cities Coalition
Vermont Energy Education Program (VEEP)
Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Vermont Natural Resources Council
Vermont Public Interest Research Group
For more information about Transportation for Vermonters, visit our website at www.t4vt.org or contact Kati Gallagher, Sustainable Communities Program Director at VNRC, at kgallagher@vnrc.org or 802-223-2328, x114.