March 30, 2001

First Joint Federal Transit Agenda
For State of Georgia Released

ATLANTA—March 30, 2001—The State of Georgia’s first “Joint Federal Transit Agenda” was sent to the state’s congressional delegation this week in an effort to win more federal funding for buses in the state. The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) spearheaded creation of the agenda, which presents a consolidated outline of the state’s transit agencies’ bus projects.

“Last year, we had several conversations with members of Congress and their staffs and the congressional Appropriations Committees about making a stronger case for transit funding in Georgia,” said Dr. Catherine L. Ross, executive director of GRTA. “This agenda – which is a collaborative effort among GRTA, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), MARTA and the Cobb and Gwinnett transit agencies – is the result.”

The agenda begins with an introductory letter from Governor Roy Barnes to the delegation, urging greater federal funding for the state. “In most cases, the expansion of clean-fuel bus services, whether express lane buses on our highways or local bus services for our neighborhoods, is the best step we can take right now to encourage alternative transportation,” Barnes says.

 The agenda also includes a description of transit development in Georgia and individual appropriations requests. GDOT is seeking $8.7 million for transit systems in Albany, Athens, Columbus, Macon, Rome and Savannah. GRTA wants $10.2 million for its Regional Express Bus program. MARTA needs $14.5 million to replace aging diesel buses with clean-fuel compressed natural gas buses. Gwinnett Transit, which will begin operation later this year, needs $6.4 million for buses and bus facilities. Cobb Community Transit is requesting $2.2 million for the infrastructure to support CNG buses.

“Our goal is to provide you an organized presentation of the bus transit needs in Georgia. An explanation of the Atlanta Region, where new transit service providers will begin operations this year, is especially needed. Frankly, we are all better served if we work together to increase overall transit funding for Georgia,” Ross said in letters to the delegation accompanying the booklet.