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Commerce pushes for public transport funding
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Posted on Dec 01 2005
The Department of Commerce is asking the CNMI Legislature for some $350,000 funding to implement a public transportation program in the Commonwealth.
Commerce economic development officer Glenn Manglona said his office hopes the Legislative Branch would grant the funding since it is the reason why a public transport bill was not enacted into law this year.
Gov. Juan N. Babauta vetoed last month House Bill 14-318, because the measure did not identify a funding source for the proposed office.
The bill, authored by Rep. Clyde Norita, seeks to establish a CNMI Office of Transit Authority within the Office of the Governor.
It would be tasked to review, apply, receive, manage, and use federal grants from the Federal Transit Administration to improve public transportation in the CNMI.
“We need funding to do it. We’re confident that the Legislature will be able to do that,” said Manglona.
The proposed program is backed by advocacy group Easter Seals Disability Service, which said that the creation of a CNMI Transit Authority would increase the access of people with disabilities to transportation.
The Commerce Department earlier called for the inclusion of its draft public transportation program into the bill, saying that its proposal is comprehensive.
The department aims to begin the program in 2006.
Based on the department’s Public Transportation Development Plan, a task force shall be created and a recommendation report on the proposed program shall be submitted to the governor and the Legislature within this year.
By February 2006, it shall apply for a grant with the FDA.
A gradual implementation of the program shall begin in August 2006.
The department said the goal “is to establish a public transportation system that provides for an improved mobility of our citizens and the transportation of goods and services.”
The agency said a mass transport is needed in view of the Commonwealth’s anticipated population growth and economic opportunities.
The public transport system shall include varied transportation options such as buses, carpools, vanpools, curb-to-curb paratransit service, and rail train or a monorail system.
