LANSING, MI -- The Michigan Senate today approved a series of bills designed to establish a regional transit authority for Metro Detroit.

The legislation, if approved by the House and signed by the governor, would put an end to decades of in-fighting that stalled previous efforts to coordinate and improve public transportation in the state's most-populous region.

While the package may still face obstacles in the House, Sen. Bert Johnson, D-Detroit, hailed today's vote as a step in the right direction for both the region and state.

"After decades of stalled attempts, characterized by bitter partisanship and territorial disputes, I am pleased to say we are closer than ever to achieving the goal of building a functional mass transit system, competing for federal transit dollars and bringing southeastern Michigan into the 21st Century," he said.

The main bill, which passed the Senate in a 22-16 vote, would create an authority and establish a governing board comprised of one representative of the governor, one representative of the Detroit mayor and two representatives each selected by county executives in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw.

The authority would be tasked with developing a regional transportation plan, serving as a recipient for state and federal grants, coordinating routes between existing bus networks and implementing a new rolling rapid transit system.

Initial plans call for high speed buses to run in dedicated lanes on four regional routes: The Woodward corridor from Detroit to Pontiac, the Gratiot corridor from Detroit to Mt. Clemens, a northern cross-county line from Pontiac to Mt. Clemens and a western cross-county line from Detroit to Ann Arbor.

Each county would be considered a provisional member of the authority and would not receive voting power or transportation service until local voters approve a special assessment or vehicle registration fee to help fund the system.

Before passage, state Sen. Dave Hildebrand, R-Lowell, successfully introduced an amendment requiring each county to put the funding question before voters in a November general election rather than a primary election, citing the need to engage as many residents as possible in the process.

The state would help the authority get off the ground by appropriating $250,000 from the Comprehensive Transportation Fund, but the authority would be expected to cover future costs through a combination of operating revenue, planning grants, bonds and voter-approved fees.

While the authority is designed with Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw in mind, the legislation would allow any county that wishes to join the authority petition the board to do so.

House approval would also boost efforts to develop a street car system along Woodward Avenue in Detroit. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has said that federal grant money is contingent upon creation of the regional authority.

Gov. Rick Snyder, citing at least 23 documented but failed attempts, renewed calls for a regional authority more than a year ago during his special presentation on infrastructure.

"Continued failure is not an option," he said at the time.

Jonathan Oosting is a reporter for MLive Media Group's statewide news team. Email him at joosting@mlive.com.