AG 1993 01 19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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THE FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR A REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY IN THE CHARLOTTE, N.C. - S.C. AREA SUMMARY OF PHASE I The feasibility study for a regional transportation system in the Charlotte area began in December, 1991 and was to be approximately a nine to twelve month study. A task force of elected officials from throughout the region was appointed to work with the staff of the Carolinas Transportation Compact and to make the necessary decisions regarding an urban transportation system for the region. The results of the feasibility study were to answer the basic questions of whether the Charlotte area needs and desires some type of regional transportation system, and if so, to provide a blueprint for the organization of such an authority. This blueprint was to address the specific and unique needs of the Charlotte bi-state region. It was to provide answers to the organizational issues in forming an authority, assess the financial options and do a general technical assessment of the transportation needs and patterns of the region. The task force met on May 16, 1992, and unanimously adopted a resolution detailing the organizational, financial and administrative issues in forming a regional transportation authority. This resolution will form the basis of the necessary legislation which must be passed by both the North and South Carolina legislatures in order to form an authority. Work continued under Phase I until the end of September, 1992. PHASE II SUMMARY OF STUDY Phase II of the feasibility study will build on the decisions made by the elected officials in Phase I. The task force decided that the Charlotte region both needed and ,.,,'anted some type of mass transportation. This b-,~v worked ~,ut issues, as well as financial and administrative or staffing issues were decided upon and approved unanimously by the task force membership. The legislation necessary to form the authority must be finalized and approved by the task force before introduction into the two state's General Assemblies. The proposed legislation, organizational structure and other issues relating to the authority, as decided by the task force, must be presented to the local governments of the region. Several detailed meetings with each City Council and County Board and their staffs may be necessary in order for these governments to understand what the authority would be and begin to assess their possible participation in the authority. Also, preliminary alternatives dealing with the business operations of the authority will be explored to the extent of insuring the legislation considers any needed operational issues. Preliminary plan of service options will also be studied and discussed in the local government meetings.