Officials unite for mass transit

By KENNETH KNIGHT

kknight@tampatrib.com

Published: September 26, 2010

NEW TAMPA - Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio has reached across the county line to find support for regional mass transit.

She discovered two powerful allies in Pasco County commissioners Anne Hildebrand and Pat Mulieri.

Hildebrand is a member of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority board and vice chairwoman of the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization. Mulieri's district spans central and south Pasco, including Wesley Chapel.

The three elected officials attended a mobility forum Wednesday night at Wharton High School to address transportation needs and improvements in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area.

The two growing communities are connected by Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, a heavily congested thoroughfare where light rail advocates hope to see commuter rail service in the future. Hillsborough County traffic statistics show 60,000 vehicles travel Bruce B. Downs Boulevard through New Tampa daily.

Iorio, Hildebrand and Mulieri spoke at the forum in support of mass transit, which would include light rail and rapid bus service, to transport as many as a quarter million urban and suburban commuters by 2035.

Hillsborough voters will to go to the polls Nov. 2 to decide whether to pass a local sales tax to pay for mass transit. If approved, the local sales tax in Hillsborough would increase by 1 penny on the dollar, from 7 cents to 8 cents.

"I care about this issue because it is the issue of the 21st century for our community," Iorio said. "The one thing we don't have is an investment in our transportation system, and we are being left behind."

'We need to have rail'

Hildebrand agreed, saying it is important to recognize transportation issues do not stop at the county line.

"We need to have rail," she said. "We need to have options, so we can compete nationally" for jobs and major events.

"As a region, we must move to the next level."

Representatives from the Hillsborough and Pasco metropolitan planning organizations, TBARTA, Hillsborough Area Regional Transportation Authority (HART) and the Florida Department of Transportation told the audience of about 170 people, including 29 from Pasco, they were there to educate voters on transportation issues affecting north Hillsborough and south and central Pasco.

They discussed various forms of mass transit - light rail, regional and express bus service, and personalized Flex and circulator route areas - to carry people from downtown Tampa, Tampa International Airport and the University of South Florida to parts of southern Pasco.

Hillsborough officials estimate the projects could cost as much as $15 billion to build. About 75 percent of the money would go to HART to operate light rail and expanded bus service, and the other 25 percent would be used for road improvements.

All eyes are on Hillsborough. Light rail supporters are putting their faith in the prospect that residents of Pasco and Pinellas counties would follow Hillsborough's lead if the ballot item passes in November.

"We are looking to Tampa to see what you will do with your referendum," Mulieri said. "The future is the ability to move people."

Mulieri, Hildebrand and a Pasco planning organization official touted the county's ability, with a population of more than 400,000, to support big business.

The Hillsborough and Pasco County Transportation Plan includes scheduled improvements for Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Cross Creek Boulevard in New Tampa, State Roads 54 and 56 and Interstates 75 and 275. The projects aim to accommodate roads, light rail, expanded public bus service, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Reaction is mixed

Audience reaction was mixed. Supporters said light rail is long overdue. Opponents said now is not the time to burden taxpayers with addition fees.

"I'm very weary about how the money will be spent," said Richard Wright of West Tampa.

Kevin Wright, who described himself as a member of the Hillsborough chapter of Ax the Tax, said he thinks Hillsborough could solve its traffic problems by integrating its school bus system.

Bill Schneider of Tampa Palms said light rail advocates have done a poor job of explaining the benefits to residents in unincorporated Hillsborough.

Linda Saul Sena, a former Tampa City Council member who is running for a seat on the Hillsborough County Commission, said the Bay area led by Hillsborough is at a crossroad.

"This is a change in our community that will make our community a more livable place," she said.

Reporter Kenneth Knight can be reached at (813) 259-7413.

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