The Georgia Senate Wednesday passed a measure that could eventually pave the way for state funding of mass transit.
Senate Bill 6 would create the Georgia Regional Transit Council to develop a statewide strategic transit plan to develop a "seamless transportation network with dependable trip times for commuters." The plan would explore topics like limited access highways, road congestion relief, safety enhancements and "plans for a future of transportation innovations," according to the legislation.
The 23-member council would include a slew of county commission chairmen, executive directors for various metropolitan planning organizations, state transportation officials and three members each appointed by the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives. The group would report back by the end of 2018, though it could get an extension until the end of 2019.
The bill, which passed the Senate on a vote of 48-0, now goes to the House of Representatives. The House has already passed House Bill 160, which would create a similar transit commission and seeks a plan by the end of this year.
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