Government officials gathered Friday at the Guam Regional Transit Authority Compound in Harmon Industrial to mark the start of construction of a permanent headquarters that Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero described as a project “long time coming.”
Leon Guerrero said the project follows a mandate and "strategic direction" given to GRTA to build the complex which would centralize administrative offices, bus fleet parking and maintenance, eight years ago, when her administration began.
"There were a lot of things that needed to be done before we got to this place," the governor said. "This is a partnership of our local government and federal government to provide, really, a place where we can now say, "This is the future of our Guam Rapid Transit Authority."
Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio the important role public transportation plays in the community highlighting that though Guam has "more cars" than "people," the change ahead for GRTA may make public transportation a competitive option.
"This change is going to, I think, be successful because finally GRTA is going to have a permanent headquarters that's going to allow the much-needed support and strength for the employees to really push forward what the future of transit services has to be," Tenorio said.
"And it has to be because there are so many vulnerabilities in our community. The biggest vulnerability we're seeing, the price of gas, and the inability of people to get to work," he added.
He said over the past few years, GRTA has been building its team.
"Not only making sure that the transit plans and public transportation plans in the future are rooted in what the needs of our people are but making sure that they can be aggressive in trying to pursue opportunities. And here we see a large amount of federal funding opportunities and confidence that have been reinvested in GRTA because of the hardworking management and staff," Tenorio said.
Sen. Jesse Lujan said the new administration operations facility represents "essential improvements" that will allow GRTA to "better manage its daily operations."
"Just as importantly, this facility is being designed to meet applicable ADA accessible requirements. GRTA's current building is not fully ADA compliant, and this project provides an opportunity to create a more accessible and functional environment for our people," he said.
He said the project is the "foundation for future improvements including expanded transit routes and the eventual goal to provide public transportation seven days a week.