Transit Task Force to Host Public Forum on June 17th

The Montgomery County Executive’s Transit Task Force will host a public forum on Wednesday, June 17 at 6 p.m. in the County Council’s Third Floor Hearing Room, 100 Maryland Avenue, so residents can express their views on subjects before the Transit Task Force.

The Transit Task Force has been reconvened to review the prior legislation and recommend how best to organize and finance implementation of a high-performance bus rapid transit system. The system is contained in the Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan, which was approved by County Council in late 2013.

Residents wishing to speak at the forum must sign up prior to noon on June 17. No sign ups will be allowed during the forum. To register to speak, call 240.777.7165, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Anyone signing up must provide their name, address and contact information.

It is planned that 40 people will be able to present their views during the public forum. Speakers will have three minutes to make their comments and are encouraged to submit written remarks – which may include additional information and materials. Those who are unable to testify can submit written comments to the “Contact Us” portion of the Task Force web page. The record will be kept open until July 1, 2015.

“This public forum gives residents an opportunity to comment on the organizational and financial issues contained in the earlier legislative proposal,” said Mark Winston, chair of the Montgomery County Transit Task Force. “Input from the community will help guide our deliberations over the summer to improve the legislation to help enable the County to implement the approved rapid transit network expeditiously and at the best possible price.”

The Task Force has made background information available to the public, including those wishing to express their views during the public forum. Included are the following documents:

1. The draft state legislation that was introduced.

2. A summary of the draft legislation prepared by County Attorney Marc Hansen.

3. “Transit Task Force Debt and Budget Issues,” provided to the Task Force by County Finance Director Joseph Beach.

4. “Transit Task Force VHB Report,” addressing organizational and transfer of functions issues.

5. Other materials also are available, such as the original Task Force report.

The objective of the Task Force is to complete a draft report and possibly propose state legislation by early September. Such additional documents will be the subject of a public forum, tentatively scheduled for September 2015, where input will be received prior to submitting a final report.

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