GOV. RITTER CREATES TRANSIT AND RAIL DIVISION

Gov. Bill Ritter today signed legislation that creates a new Transit and Rail Division within the Colorado Department of Transportation to advance mass transit and other rail opportunities around the state.

 

The new division, created by Senate Bill 94, will be tasked with planning, promoting and implementing new transit and rail services statewide. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Suzanne Williams and Rep. Claire Levy.

 

The legislation complements the landmark FASTER bill (Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery), which Gov. Ritter signed into law on March 2 and will create new jobs and result in safer bridges and roadways across the state.

 

"Moving people by transit and rail are part of our state's past and they will be a major part of our future," Gov. Ritter said. "SB 94 will help us create an integrated and multi-modal transportation system for the future. It is critical that our 21^st century transportation system be diverse and sustainable. Our economy depends on it, our energy future depends on it, and our aging population depends on it."

 

"It is important to increase the state's investment in transit, and this bill will make sure we are giving our light rail and bus systems the attention they deserve," Sen. Williams said. "This program will help the department plan for transportation throughout Colorado to ensure that we are moving people, products and information as efficiently as possible. I'm pleased to see the Governor signing this today."

 

"I am pleased to have carried this important bill, which will enable the Colorado Department of Transportation to carry out its mission of addressing transportation in the fullest sense of the word," Rep. Levy said. "As a result of SB 94, CDOT will undertake comprehensive planning for interregional transit, which will facilitate true mobility in Colorado."