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Regional News

Transit Authority Receives Funding
6/12/08 The Tampa Tribune
Finally, planning can begin in earnest for a regional transit system many think is long overdue. The $66 billion state budget signed by Gov. Charlie Crist on Wednesday includes $2 million for the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority. The one-time allocation is to be used by the agency to come up with a long-range transit plan for Hillsborough, Pinellas and five other West Florida counties
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Meet Your Regional Transit Authority TBARTA. It’s Staying
6/12/08 TampaRail.org
Yes, it’s true. Governor Crist approved $2 million for TBARTA, allowing TBARTA to pick itself up and transform from an agency obscured by its own fiscal ambiguity, to one validated with a sense of budget and purpose. Read more

Future Demands More Connected Tampa Bay
6/11/08 The Tampa Tribune
Three cheers for Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio. Her remarks in response to questions concerning public transportation (Tampa Tribune commentary, June 1) strike the right chord of optimism and common sense. Read more

The day is dedicated to raising awareness that riding public transportation helps improve the environment and conserves fuel. It also offers the opportunity for people to beat the high price of gasoline and support public transportation as an important travel option that helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil as well as reducing the amount of harmful greenhouse gases that are emitted into our environment.

On June 19, public transportation agencies from coast to coast will join together to ask you to park your cars and ride public transportation instead.

To Learn more about bay area commuter options visit the Bay Area Commuter Services website at www.tampabayrideshare.org.

Frustrated by a lack of options, stay tuned to the work of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority, www.tbarta.com- they are working to bring transportation choices to Tampa Bay.

In the meantime you can take out your frustration by playing Whack the Pump. Click here to play the Whack-A-Pump game.

Here’s a video showing the new Charlotte NC light rail system. It’s a great opportunity to take a ride and learn how others are approaching these efforts.

We all know we have one of the best airports in the country. Imagine we would all get to it via a transit system. Here’s a great video animation showing the potential for serving TIA and Tampa Bay with a transit system.  

Tampa International Airport Regional Transit Way Video Animation

Governor Charlie Crist signed the 2008/09 budget today, which included a $2 million appropriation for the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA). This appropriation is a huge step forward for our region and we extend our gratitude to Governor Crist and his administration for their support.
Our region has also been well served by the members of our Bay Area Legislative Delegation especially our Chair, Senator Mike Fasano and our Vice-Chair, Representative Seth McKeel. We also must extend thanks and appreciation to Representative Bill Galvano and Representative Will Weatherford for their efforts in securing these funds.
We would also like to acknowledge the hard work and leadership shown by the TBARTA Board as well as the support of the Florida Department of Transportation who have advanced the effort to this point.
Our community is demanding choices that provide cost efficient, environmentally sound and effective transportation options. This funding is a first step towards transportation choices in Tampa Bay.
It is not, however; the last step. This funding will provide start-up dollars that will allow TBARTA to establish a staff, utilize legal resources and increase its public outreach. TBARTA will still need to secure local funding dollars to design, build and operate a transit system.

All aboard for the light rail tour

6/10/08 MyFox Tampa Bay

They’ll be touring three cities that have recently added light rail to their transit systems. “We are 20 years behind,” said Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio
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County wants role in transit program

6/10/08 Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Dreaming big Monday, Sarasota’s top elected officials envisioned rail lines that extend all the way from Tampa to …
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Iorio Sees Rail In County’s Future

6/5/08 Tampa Tribune

Iorio and members of the Tampa Bay Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) met at Silverthorn to learn what kinds of roadways Hernando County has and …
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June CAC Meeting
Date: 06/18/2008 - 9:30am
Location: Land O’Lakes Public Library
2818 Collier Parkway
Land O’ Lakes 34639

June TMC Meeting
Date: 06/18/2008 - 1:30pm
Location: Florida Department of Transportation, District Seven
11201 N McKinley Drive
Tampa, FL 33612

June Board Meeting
Date: 06/27/2008 - 9:30am
Location: Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club
10641 Old Tampa Bay Drive
San Antonio, FL 33576

Full TBARTA Event Listing available here

ONE BAY is now asking citizens to look at and review the four alternative growth scenarios depicted in A, B, C & D above. Take the next 10 minutes to realize the impacts and possibilities that different patterns of growth can have on our region and tell us what is most important to you. We need you to take the brief survey to help us share your voice with others.

The quality of life that attracted most of the region’s residents here will continue to draw people to the Tampa Bay region over the next fifty years and beyond. We need to come together as a region to decide what type of future we want for ourselves, our children and grandchildren.

Learn more about One Bay, watch the video. 

Click here: One Bay Video

The results of a study on Tampa Bay residents’ attitudes regarding regional transit have been released: 3,500 interviews were conducted in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.

Read the study results