April 2021 – In March, elected leaders from three counties sat down to strategize on transportation priorities. This quarter, the Tampa Bay Transportation Management Area (TMA) Leadership Group focused on regional transit: opportunities to create better connections between Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties.
There are a handful of express bus routes today, and Brian Pessaro of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority gave an overview of how these services could be expanded to more locations and times. But long-distance bus service like this is costly, especially compared to the lower number of riders resulting from the limited stops.
Beth Alden of the Hillsborough MPO summarized some grant opportunities available through the Florida Department of Transportation. Recently, these grants have been part of the funding package for the cross-bay ferry between Tampa and St. Petersburg, as well as PSTA’s express bus routes that cross the Gandy Bridge and Howard Frankland Bridge, and HART’s route connecting Macdill AFB, Tampa, Lutz, and southern Pasco County. Presentation slides are included in the agenda package.
On June 25, the group will discuss priorities for use of the limited grant dollars for regional transit, aligning key routes in each county. Check our website for viewing opportunities!
