NNTA Advisory Board Learns About Bus Rapid Transit & It's Viability in Hillsborough County

At the August Advisory Board meeting of the New North Transportation Alliance, Dennis Hinebaugh, Director of the National Bus Rapid Transit Institute, and John Marsh, Senior Planner for HARTline, explained what Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is and how it could be eventually used in Hillsborough County to improve transit service.

According to the National BRT Institute, "BRT is an integrated bus-based 'rapid' transit system typically utilizing highly flexible service and advanced technologies to improve customer convenience and reduce delays."

Bus Rapid Transit systems combine some or all of various traits to make it successful. These traits include:

Many of these traits can also be implemented at various levels. For example, travel-ways may be dedicated transit lanes, mixed traffic lanes with signal priority for BRT, transit-only streets, or HOV lanes. BRT systems may vary in their route structure. Routes may be more direct than regular bus service, may be anchored by major activity centers, or may operate in low-density residential areas.

Stations are typically differentiated from regular bus stops by characteristics such as enhanced shelters and/or transit center design, designated passenger "platforms", enclosed facilities, precision docking, and technology such as real-time customer information.

BRT vehicles may incorporate a unique/distinct design. Vehicles typically have wide aisles, low-floors, and large windows for passenger comfort and are also often environmentally friendly. Vehicles may also have a high capacity, multiple doublewide doors, and dual-sided entry and exit. They may look very similar to a typical light-rail vehicle.

Eighteen BRT systems currently operate in the United States, in cities such as Boston, Pittsburgh, Hartford, Honolulu, Louisville, Charlotte, Cleveland, Miami, Las Vegas, and numerous others. Many cities worldwide also utilize BRT, including Curitiba, Brazil; Brisbane, Australia; and Leeds, England.

How could bus rapid transit be used in Hillsborough County?

According to John Marsh from HARTline, the 2004-2013 Transit Development Plan (TDP) lists BRT projects for consideration for the first time. Four "transit emphasis corridors" have been identified in the TDP, north and south on Florida and Nebraska Avenues, and east and west on Martin Luther King Boulevard and Columbus Avenue. The goal is to locate "super-stops" where the corridors intersect and to have high frequency at the stops. If this proves successful, BRT may be used along other corridors, such as SR 60, the Crosstown Expressway, and Bruce B. Downs Blvd., to serve major destinations including USF, Downtown, and Westshore.

For more information on BRT, visit the National BRT Institute online at www.nbrti.com. More information on HARTline is available at www.hartline.org.

Community Members Encouraged to Provide Input at Upcoming Hillsborough County Public Hearing on Transportation Needs & Funding

Over the past few months, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has held three Transportation Summit meetings to discuss current and future transportation needs and funding options for Hillsborough County. Various agencies, including HARTline, the Hillsborough MPO, the Tampa Expressway Authority, the Florida Department of Transportation, and the cities of Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace, presented their current and future transportation needs, many of which may go unfunded due to a lack of available dollars. The BOCC is expected to make a decision in October as to whether or not to allow a referendum to be put on the ballot to help pay for future transportation needs. If the BOCC approves a referendum, citizens would then vote for or against increased funding for transportation (via a proposed combination of increased sales tax, gas tax, and impact fees).

A public hearing at the County Building is scheduled for September 16, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

 Commuter Choices Week: October 6-11
 Sign up for materials and worksite commuter program assistance TODAY!

Each year, the New North Transportation Alliance joins other transportation organizations throughout the Tampa Bay area in promoting commuter choices. Many employers participate by encouraging their employees to try a form of transportation-other than driving alone-at least one day during this week. Employers may order materials, including posters and pledge cards by calling us at 974-9799. New North Alliance staff are also available to visit employer worksites during the weeks prior to Commuter Choices Week to provide information to employees about the various options available: bicycle commuting, carpooling, vanpooling, walking, and transit.

Transportation Fair: October 7 on the USF Tampa Campus 
New North area commuters are invited to join us in the plaza outside the Marshall Center from 11-2 PM.

The New North Transportation Alliance is hosting this transportation fair in recognition of Commuter Choices Week. The fair gives commuters a chance to learn more about transportation options and will include:

Vanpool Riders Wanted:  Decrease commute costs, improve use of travel time
A vanpool traveling from Sarasota/Bradenton to the USF Area, including the VA Hospital and Telecom Parkway is seeking riders.  Work hours are from 7:00am - 4:30 pm.  Call 813-282-8200 for more information.  

New North Alliance Seeks Comments on Commute Experiences

UNTI is interested in hearing about your commute!  Simply send an email to sobush@cutr.usf.edu or fill out the commute comments form at www.newnorthalliance.org to tell us about your daily commute and any ways you have found to make the trip more bearable.