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From the beginning, transit authorities in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties have been separate organizations, and both groups made it clear Monday they want to keep it that way.
Meeting in a rare joint session, leaders of both authorities opposed consolidating the two agencies as called for in a Florida Senate bill filed earlier Monday.
State Sen. Jack Latvala, R-St. Petersburg, wants to insert language in the state's transportation bill that could lead to an "organizational merger" or "consolidation of functions" of both agencies.
Latvala's legislation mandates a series of joint meetings between the two transit boards, which would be required to file by February 2013 a detailed report on governance, funding options and other merger elements.
Latvala's legislative initiative followed an idea he floated last year to both revenue-strapped bus systems to seek a regional-based solution to their budget issues.
To no one's surprise, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority and Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority board members did not warm to combining the agencies. Leaders from both groups said they didn't know if a merger would save money over the long term.
They each voted Monday to send separate messages to Tallahassee indicating they oppose consolidation, but would continue to work together on joint fuel and bus procurement and look for further collaborative efforts to save money.
For the full article, visit the Tampa Tribune.
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