Deal Appoints Wothan to Transit Task Force

Governor Nathan Deal has named Chairman Tom Worthan to a newly created Transit Task Force which has been assigned the task of taking the executive findings of the Transit Governance Study Commission, and use them as a basis for developing a legislative proposal to be introduced in the 2012 session of the Georgia General Assembly.

Worthan was named to the Task Force along with the Commission Chairs of Gwinnett and Rockdale Counties, the Mayors of Atlanta and Johns Creek, State Senators Ron Ramsey and Butch Miller, State Representatives Billy Mitchell and Mike Jacobs, and co-chairs Representative Donna Sheldon and Senator Jeff Mullis.

Governor Deal’s Executive Order creating the Task Force stated that the metropolitan Atlanta region has multiple transit entities operating independently which leads to an uncoordinated system that is confusing to transit users, falls short of achieving cost efficiencies, does not provide a return-on-investment to taxpayers, and produces a disjointed message about the region’s transit priorities.

The Task Force is being charged with conducting a thorough examination of the region’s transportation systems and developing a concept for a regional authority. The Transit Governance Study Commission, which issued its final report on Aug. 1, found that the public would benefit from a regional authority that could streamline and coordinate the multiple systems now in effect.

Worthan has extensive transportation experience. He's had a leadership role as the Chairman of the Transportation Committee of the Atlanta Regional Commission, and his leadership as a member of the Transportation Investment Act’s Atlanta Roundtable. Worthan also served as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives in the 1990s and is familiar with the legislative process.

“I appreciate the confidence that Governor Deal has in me by appointing me to this important task," Worthan said. "Transportation issues are threatening the very livelihood of the Atlanta region, including Douglas County, and we must quickly address current needs and plan for the future.  I am looking forward to serving on the Task Force to ensure that the needs of Douglas County citizens are included in the discussion.”