Senate Bill 6, filed last week, is a clear sign of Georgia lawmakers’ willingness to invest state funds into transit solutions for our state. The bill seeks to create the
Senate Bill 6, filed last week, is a clear sign of Georgia lawmakers’ willingness to invest state funds into transit solutions for our state. The bill seeks to create the Georgia Regional Transit Council, a 19-member body tasked with “developing a state-wide, strategic transit plan with the guidance of a recognized industry leader in delivering transit strategy for multijurisdictional entities which emphasizes first-mile and last-mile services.” The bill also specifically calls for:
The bill is a result of the Senate Study Committee on Regional Transit Solutions which met last year to examine whether regional transit systems would lessen congestion. Specifically, the committee reviewed the possibility of comprehensive regional plans in lieu of a county-by-county or city-by-city approach. The committee, created by Senate Resolution 1085, was comprised of seven senators and chaired by Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega). Senator Gooch is a sponsor of Senate Bill 6, along with Brandon Beach (R- Alpharetta), David Shafer (R- Duluth), Bill Cowsert (R- Athens), John Kennedy (R- Macon) and Ben Watson (R- Savannah). The report explains transit “covers a broad spectrum of services which enhance the state’s overall transportation network and provides citizens with greater mobility options. Collectively, these transit services provide the taxpayers of Georgia with numerous economic and environmental benefits, and are funded through a variety of local, state and federal sources. More than 120 public transportation systems currently operate in the state of Georgia – the larger systems in the Atlanta region such as MARTA’s comprehensive bus and rail system, GRTA’s Xpress commuter coaches, and the Cobb and Gwinnett local and regional bus systems; other major bus systems in cities such as Savannah, Macon, Columbus, Rome, Athens, and Augusta; and more than 100 small bus and van services.” The committee’s report recommends lawmakers set aside funding this session to pay for the creation of plan that covers transit governance and funding, that can then be enacted into law by 2018. Other recommendations include:
Click here to view the report: http://www.senate.ga.gov/sro/Documents/StudyCommRpts/2016FinalReportRegionalTransitSolutions.pdf