The Department of Commerce is calling for the inclusion of its draft public transportation program in a related bill that recently passed the Legislature.<\/p>\n
Commerce economic development officer Glen Manglona said yesterday that the department has submitted a position paper to the Governor\u2019s Office, appealing that the draft program be considered when passing the measure.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe support the enactment of the bill into law but we\u2019d like the department plan to be integrated into the bill. Our plan is comprehensive,\u201d said Manglona yesterday.<\/p>\n
The Legislature recently passed House Bill 14-318 that aims to create a transport office that would develop a mass transportation system in the CNMI.<\/p>\n
Authored by Rep. Clyde Norita, the bill proposes a CNMI Office of Transit Authority within the Office of the Governor.<\/p>\n
Through the proposed office, the government can apply for grants from the Federal Transit Administration and use it to assess the Commonwealth\u2019s transportation needs and develop a viable public transportation system.<\/p>\n
The Department of Commerce had drafted its own mass transport plan, which is projected to be implemented beginning next year.<\/p>\n
Based on the department\u2019s 2005-2010 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.<\/p>\n
The department said the goal \u201cis to establish a public transportation system that provides for improved mobility for our citizens and the transportation of goods and services.\u201d<\/p>\n
The agency said it came up with the idea in view of the Commonwealth\u2019s anticipated population growth and economic opportunities.<\/p>\n
The public transport system shall include varied transportation options such as buses, carpools, vanpools, curb-to-curb paratransit service, and rain train or a monorail system.<\/p>\n
With the high cost of fuel, Manglona said that it is most practical for the CNMI to consider the plan.<\/p>\n
He said the operation can be jointly handled by the government and the private sector. \u201cIt can be quasi-public. It can be government-sponsored like Guam, or it can operated by the private sector,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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