Jump to Navigation

HOME PAGE
TOP STORIES
OPINION
NEWS RELEASES
IN DEPTH
LINKS
VIDEO & AUDIO
You are hereHome › Top Stories › CNMI To Launch Public Bus Service In Saipan ›
CNMI To Launch Public Bus Service In Saipan
Submitted by admin on Thu, 04/14/2016 – 00:00
Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i

US Department of Interior funds public transportation effort

By Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa

SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, April 14, 2016) – The Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority will soon launch a public, medium-size bus that will ply the Garapan-Middle Road-NMC-Koblerville-Beach Road route.

Funding for the bus amounts to $344,293 and will come from the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Diego B. Songsong, COTA’s community planner and Title VI coordinator, said they are now conducting a bidding process for the bus which will also cater to persons with disabilities.

In addition, he said they will designate bus stop signs and drop-off and pick-up areas for passengers.

Songsong said things are still at the planning stage, including how much they will charge those who use the bus.

Funding for the bus stops will come from a different agency, he said, adding that they are working with the Department of Public Works to identify possible sources.

Special Assistant for Public Transportation Alfreda P. Camacho said the pilot project is supported by Gov. Ralph Torres and Lt. Gov. Victor Hocog.

"Fixed-route transit is an essential service," she said. "It fulfills many community needs and helps our island meet a number of important public-policy objectives. In addition to these community benefits, spending federal funds on transit contributes to economic activity."

Camacho added, "This is just the beginning of a bigger picture for public transportation in the CNMI. We are happy that it is to be realized soon because we want our community to embrace this project and from there we will be able to assess and implement rules on how this service will work for the community. Basically this is good news for the community as we want more accessibility. More students will be able to go to school and more parents will be able to go to work if we have this public transportation. I am passionate about this project because I know this will help our community and improve the quality of life of the people."

She said COTA submitted its funding request to the CNMI Office of Grants Management on Feb. 17, 2016 and they received the good news in March.

Camacho expressed appreciation for the support of the governor and the Office of Grants Management.

COTA’s funding was just one of several grants with a total amount of $1.4 million approved by Interior for the CNMI.

Administrator for Grants Management Epi Cabrera said $1.4 million is a "remarkable amount."

"We are very fortunate to receive these grants and now the CNMI can begin moving forward on much needed projects. Our office is now looking forward to submitting Empowering Insular Communities (EIC) grants before the end of the month and continuing to push for grants that will benefit our community," he said in a statement.

Other Interior grants for the CNMI included $150,000 for the Department of Fire and Emergency Management Services to purchase an ambulance; and $255,578 for the Department of Commerce "to establish an online portal to streamline government services for residents in the territory. The online portal will facilitate the provision of social services, tax e-filing, business license and tax filing, and driver’s license issuance and renewal. The portal will serve as a virtual one-stop help center for the CNMI government."

Rate this article:
Give it 1/5
Give it 2/5
Give it 3/5
Give it 4/5
Give it 5/5
No votes yet
Add new comment
Your name

Subject

Comment *

SavePreview

Search Articles…
Apply
Featured Popular Latest

CNMI Attorney General Files Lawsuit Over Legality Of Pay Increases

Today News – 0 comment(s)

Improvements Of Infrastructure Necessary To Overcome Fiji Flooding

Today News – 0 comment(s)

Trump Draft Executive Order Targets Aliens Who Are ‘Public Charges’

Today News – 1 comment(s)

New Study Shows Self Censorship By Fiji Media Remains A Problem

Today News – 0 comment(s)
Supporter

Support PIR


The Matson Foundation

Center for Pacific Islands Studies

An East-West Center Project

US-South Pacific Scholarship Program

Opportunities For Study/Training
Jump back to navigation

Last Viewed


Guam Police Clear Acting Education Superintendent Of Criminal Allegations

Today News – last view [timestamp]
Palau Vows To Cut Emissions In Half By 2025

Today News – last view [timestamp]
Australian Teenager Of Tongan Descent Faces Life In Prison On Terrorism Charges

Today News – last view [timestamp]
CONTINENTAL MICRONESIA DROPS CNMI FROM PROMOTIONS

Today News – last view [timestamp]


Pacific Islands Report is a nonprofit news publication of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Offered as a free service to readers, PIR provides an edited digest of news, commentary and analysis from across the Pacific Islands region, Monday – Friday.

Follow Us

Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Follow us on Twitter
Be a fan on Facebook
PIDP videos on Vimeo
Pacific Island Report Sign Up

Email Address *

Submit
Copyright © 2017 Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center | PIR Editing Notes | About Us | Privacy Policy
Address: 1601 East-West Road – Honolulu, Hawai‘i, 96848, USA. | Phone: 808.944.7111. | Email: pidp