SENATE DOCKET, NO. 728        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1837

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Robert L. Hedlund

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to personal rapid transit systems.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 728        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1837

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

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An Act relative to personal rapid transit systems.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 6C of the Massachusetts General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following new section:-

SECTION 76. (a) Non-exclusive assess to rights-of-way in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts may be granted to Personal Rapid Transit providers meeting the following criteria:

   (1) Privately funded construction;

   (2) Privately operated without government subsidies;

   (3) Exceed 120 passenger-miles per gallon, or equivalent efficiency;  and

   (4) Exceed safety performance of transportation modes already approved for use.

(b) The Department shall promulgate rules or regulations for Personal Rapid Transit systems based on the following criteria:

   (1) System design, fabrication, installation, safety, insurance, inspection practices consistent with the ASTM International, Committee F24 on Amusement Rides and Devices;

   (2) Environmental approvals based on a ratio of energy consumed per passenger-mile of the innovation versus transport modes approved to operate in the rights-of-way; and

   (3) All taxes and fees assessed on the Personal Rapid Transit system providers, passengers and cargo being limited to 5% of gross revenues and paid to the aggregate rights-of-way holders by Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) providers.