On May 27, 2011, Public Law 17-43 established a Commonwealth Public Transportation Advisory Board (CPTAB). CPTAB assists and advises the Authority and the Governor in developing a community-based, multi-modal surface transportation system that provides mobility for all, complements land use, and improves air quality.
This public law allowed the opening of Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority on January 28, 2013. COTA is a young government agency funded by federal grants that strives daily to improve transportation in the Commonwealth. Today the COTA transit operators’ serves an average of 30-40 rides daily.
The goal of the Transit CNMI is to:
Transit CNMI shall provide the citizens of our communities with a dependable, reliable, safe, and cost-effective public transit system in order to reduce energy consumption, strengthen cultural values, and contribute economic development for the residents of the Commonwealth.
Transportation is always the link, and never the barrier, to accessing training, employment, childcare, and related destinations. We shall be recognized as the premier island-wide public transit provider committed to safety, courtesy, quality, responsiveness, efficiency, and innovation.