OFFICE OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850

Isiah Leggett
County Executive

October 29, 2015

Mr. Mark Winston, Chair
Transit Task Force
Dear Mr. Winston:
I want to extend my deep appreciation and gratitude to members of the Transit Task
Force. At my request, you have served many hours on behalf of your civic community or
organization, have dedicated extraordinary effort to review my proposal for an independent
Montgomery County Transit Authority, and have provided me with valuable input and
recommendations. Montgomery County is truly fortunate to have such engaged and resourceful
residents.
The October, 2015 final report of the Transit Task Force offers constructive feedback that
greatly improves the original proposal for enabling legislation in the States General Assembly
that would authorize the County Council to establish an Independent Transit Authority. The new
report recommends:

Setting a cap on the taxing power of the proposed Authority, and creating
accountability through requiring County Council approval of not only the Capital
Improvements Program but also the capital and operating budgets of the proposed
Authority;

Guaranteeing greater oversight by giving elected officials authority and approval over
eminent domain decisions;

Requiring independent audits and performance standards of the proposed Authority;

Creating an organizational structure to address identified labor concerns; and

Providing for an appropriate separation of County debt from the proposed Authoritys
debt obligations.

www.montgomerycountymd.gov

Mr. Mark Winston

October 29, 2015
Page 2
While these recommendations represent significant progress, the public input at the two
recent public forums made it clear to me that there remains significant community concern about
the proposal for an independent Montgomery County Transit Authority. Perhaps more
importantly, most County residents are unaware of the considerable benefits that a Bus Rapid
Transit (BRT) system would bring to our County and its residents.

What is also clear to me is that BRT is crucial to Montgomery Countys future if we are
to reduce traffic congestion, spur business growth and attract a talented workforce to build on our
innovation economy, provide affordable transportation options for people of all incomes, create a
reliable intra-county bus rapid transit system, and fight climate change through reduced
greenhouse gas emissions. Many of our current plans for walkable, livable new mixed use
communities hinge on providing a robust and efficient transit system.

Without adequate transportation and housing options in Montgomery County, many of

the jobs created over the coming decades - and the people who fill them - will be located in
surrounding jurisdictions. If these jobs and workers are turned away, either as the result of an
intentional effort to stop growth or because the County fails to provide the land use and
transportation options that draw employers and residents, more people will move into adjoining
jurisdictions farther from the core and generate traffic through Montgomery County as they drive
to and from work.

Also at the recent public forums, numerous organizations and individuals made it clear
that their businesses need faster and more convenient ways to get employees to work, that our
millennials crave the new walkable downtowns and ease of public transportation, and that many
people who depend on public transportation today struggle to get to work and still spend time
with their families. I know that providing a BRT system will give County residents more time to
spend with their family and enjoy leisure activities, and will improve each of our lives.

For all these reasons, I am committed to pursuing BRT for Montgomery County, but I
also realize that we must take time to reach out to the community to provide an opportunity for
everyone to learn more about BRT. Therefore, I do not plan to introduce State legislation this
year that would enable the County Council to create an independent Montgomery County Transit
Authority. Instead, the County will undertake a community education and outreach effort on the
benefits of BRT.

Mr. Mark Winston

October 29, 2015
Page 3

Again, I thank everyone who participated in the Transit Task Force. Your commitment to
making our community a better place to live is appreciated, and as Thomas Edison said, We
shall have no better conditions in the future, if we are satisfied with all those which we have at
present.

Sincerely,

Isiah Leggett
County Executive