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Committee's recommendation has potential to change how public transit is offered regionally
Recommendation to Colorado Springs City Council comes after almost 1 year of monthly meetings, research, gathering public input
The Steering Committee of the Future of Regional Transit Study will finalize its recommendations for funding and governance of the region's transit system during its final meeting, 1 to 3 p.m., April 8 at the Pikes Peak Regional Development Center, 2880 International Circle.
The 24-member committee of citizens, business and community leaders, regional agency representatives, and elected officials has met monthly for almost a year to analyze the best way to assure our region's transit system meets the immediate and long-term needs of the region's citizens and businesses. To ensure sustainability, the committee is also recommending changes in how public transportation is funded so that it will be less susceptible to severe budget cuts, like those which have led to reduced service over the past two years.
"During the course of the study, the Steering Committee has heard from residents across the region regarding their preferences for levels of service, funding sources, destinations, and governance for public transit," said Marc Snyder, the Steering Committee chair. "The committee's recommendations to the Colorado Springs City Council will reflect what we've heard at our meetings, through survey responses, and during our telephone town hall meeting. The feedback we've received from the overwhelming majority of respondents supports a change in how public transit in our region is governed and funded."
Nearing the end of the study, the Future of Regional Transit Steering Committee has determined that there is a definite need to change how the region's current public transit system is governed and funded. The Steering Committee is in the process of determining what level of service citizens want in regional public transit as well as identifying a more reliable and stable funding source for regional public transit services and a governance platform better aligned for the region.
The steering committee meeting is open to the public with a public comment/question period included. Contact Mountain Metropolitan Transit at (719) 385-5974 for ADA accommodations.
Meeting information:
Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Date: April 8, 2011
Place: Pikes Peak Regional Development Center, 2880 International Circle, Colorado Springs
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