News & Public Affairs
Dedicated bus lanes combined with tolls could ease Tampa congestion listen
06/14/13 Janelle IrwinWMNF Drive-Time News Friday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: TBARTA, transit, Bob Clifford, Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority, buses, bus toll lanes
Dedicated bus lanes may be a way to ease traffic congestion in the Tampa Bay area. The lanes would also be available to individual drivers who choose to pay a toll in order to avoid stop and go traffic.
The exact model being studied by the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority hasn’t been done anywhere else in the country. But so far it looks like a viable way to speed up commutes along busy corridors. Bob Frey is the agency’s planning director.
Be the first to comment“It pr...
Dismal traffic in Tampa Bay has solutions in sight
06/14/13 Janelle IrwinLast Call Friday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Connect Tampa Bay, transit, transportation, Kevin Thurman
Dedicated bus lanes may be a way to ease traffic congestion in the Tampa Bay area. The lanes would also be available to individual drivers who choose to pay a toll in order to avoid stop and go traffic.
The exact model being studied by the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority hasn’t been done anywhere else in the country. But so far it looks like a viable way to speed up commutes along busy corridors.The Expressway Authority received a federal grant to conduct a concept study. Dependin...
Be the first to commentHillsborough's Public Transportation Commission responds to criticism by spending $90,000 on lobbying listen
06/12/13 Janelle IrwinWMNF Drive-Time News Wednesday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Hillsborough County, Public Transportation Commission, transit, transportation, Les Miller, Victor Crist, Connect Tampa Bay, PTC, Bob Buckhorn
Responding to criticism that it should just go away, the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission will spend as much as $90,000 on a lobbyist to stay afloat. The board’s chair, Hillsborough County Commissioner Victor Crist, said people need to learn more about the agency before condemning it.
2 comments“This agency, this entity, is under attack. It’s under attack by the media. It’s under attack by legislators. It’s under attack by the community. It’s under attack by people who do not fu...
HART opens MetroRapid express bus route along Nebraska Avenue to USF Tampa listen
05/28/13 Janelle IrwinWMNF Drive-Time News Tuesday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: MetroRapid, transit, buses, HART, BRT, express bus, USF, Tampa
The Hillsborough County Regional Transit Authority, or HART, kicked off its first day of Express Bus service Tuesday along the Nebraska Avenue corridor. MetroRapid uses GPS technology for traffic signal priority and limited bus stops to get riders to their destination as much as 15% faster – and uses brand new buses.
“I like it. It smells like a brand new car.”
That’s frequent bus rider Jeff Stevens.
Be the first to comment“It’s cleaner, it’s a lot nicer looking, it’s a little bit more [friendly] – espe...
New MetroRapid bus service will be free beginning Tuesday in Hillsborough listen
05/24/13 Seán KinaneWMNF Drive-Time News Friday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: MetroRapid, HART, bus, Tampa, transit, transportation
On Tuesday the Hillsborough Area Regional Transportation Authority will begin its MetroRapid north-south bus service.
It runs from downtown Tampa to the university area transit center every 15 minutes along the busy Nebraska Avenue corridor.
From there it continues every 30 minutes to a park-and-ride lot in north Tampa near Fletcher and Interstate-75.
For the first two weeks MetroRapid will be free. Thereafter it will be the same cost as regular fare.
We spoke with Sandra Pinto, ...
Be the first to commentHigh speed ferry service may be in Tampa's transit future listen
05/22/13 Janelle IrwinWMNF Drive-Time News Wednesday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: high speed ferry, transit, Ed Turanchik, Bob Buckhorn, Sandra Murman, Hillsborough County Commission
Traffic congestion in Tampa is among the worst in the nation. That’s one reason why former Hillsborough County Commissioner Ed Turanchik is pushing for expanded transit using high speed ferries. During the first of three presentations on the issue Wednesday, Turanchik said the boats would initially serve people who commute from southern Hillsborough County to MacDill Air Force Base.
Be the first to comment“There is no other transportation option that can do so much for so little so fast with so much private i...
Howard Frankland span replacement could spell transit improvements over Tampa Bay listen
05/07/13 Janelle IrwinWMNF Drive-Time News Tuesday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: transit, PSTA, HART, FDOT, Howard Frankland Bridge
The Northbound section of the Howard Frankland Bridge will need to be replaced sometime in the next decade or so. That leaves a host of options for transit agencies on both sides of Tampa Bay.
During a stakeholder meeting in Pinellas County Tuesday, the Florida Department of Transportation’s district planning manager, Ming Gao said the plans could include some premium transit options.
Be the first to comment“We know the in-kind replacement is around $367 million. You’ve got the transit option; you’re tal...
Regional transit in Tampa Bay is getting an updated vision listen
04/26/13 Janelle IrwinWMNF Drive-Time News Friday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: TBARTA, PSTA, HART, transit, rail, buses, transportation
The board coordinating transit agencies from all over the Tampa Bay area is updating its master plan this year. The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority discussed the changes during its meeting Friday. Even though the board considers the update minor, it includes opportunities for increased regional connectivity.
Much of the focus will be on making it easier to get between Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. Bob Clifford is TBARTA’s executive direct...
1 commentsEast Hillsborough Avenue corridor study seeks input to mend high accident statistics listen
04/22/13 Janelle IrwinWMNF Drive-Time News Monday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Hillsborough Avenue, transit, pedestrian safety, Hillsborough County MPO, Gena Torres, transportation
The Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization is conducting a corridor study for part Hillsborough Avenue in response to staggering vehicular and pedestrian accident statistics. In March, the Hillsborough County Commission voted to workshop ideas on how to improve transportation, including road safety.
Transportation planner Gena Torres talks about what might lie ahead for East Hillsborough Avenue.
There will be a [public meeting](http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/r...
Be the first to commentUSF students suggest transit improvements that include pedestrian and bike safety listen
04/02/13 Janelle IrwinWMNF Drive-Time News Tuesday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Hillsborough County MPO, transit, transportation, roads, USF, bicycles, pedestrian safety
The Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization wants residents to help make some transit decisions in the county. The MPO’s Lynn Merenda doled out markers and crayons during a summit at the University of South Florida Tuesday asking faculty and students to draw their ideas.
Be the first to comment“… to get their ideas on how we can improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists and reduce crashes with cars, make the roads more user-friendly for everyone and what they would like to see as we move tow...
