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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Amy Ellis, Communications Director
(813) 282-8200
TAMPA, FL, May 26, 2011 - The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors and staff were surprised and greatly disappointed to learn of Governor Rick Scott's decision Thursday to veto the re-appropriation of 2008 state funding for the agency.
Since its creation by the state Legislature in 2007, TBARTA has worked to implement long and short-term transportation solutions for the Tampa Bay region. Under its leadership, the first-ever Regional Transportation Master Plan was adopted two months ahead of schedule and has served as a guide for effective transportation planning and decisions throughout the region.
TBARTA recently held six Telephone Town Hall meetings during which the agency communicated with an unprecedented 60,000 people in seven counties. The message we heard was loud and clear. The region's transportation network does not work. Residents and businesses want more and better bus service. They want an easier way to get to the airport, entertainment and shopping centers. They want improved roadways. TBARTA is committed to making these changes happen.
The transportation needs of the region have not changed; traffic congestion has not diminished. We need a vision for the long term and solutions for the short term. TBARTA is working to provide both.
A successful, multimodal transportation system benefits our economy and creates jobs. Working together on a regional basis helps maximize our resources.
In the past four years, we have worked with our public and private partners to coordinate and consolidate services where possible - to improve efficiency and save taxpayer dollars.
While TBARTA will continue to operate on existing dollars, the impact to the agency's budget will be significant and challenging. However, we will continue to work toward the transportation solutions our region needs in order to ensure our future economic vitality, competitiveness and quality of life.
We believe we are on the right track. A recent report prepared by the Reason Foundation, Transportation for America and Taxpayers for Common Sense highlighted many of the same initiatives TBARTA is currently spearheading, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), managed highway lanes, telecommuting and tying transportation and land use decisions together.
To further demonstrate the need for transportation solutions, rising gas prices have more than doubled the number of inquires about TBARTA's Commuter Services programs, including carpool, vanpool, school pool and telework. These are low-cost, high value solutions that TBARTA brings to our community right now.
There is much work to do to improve transportation in our region. We have accomplished a great deal in just four years but our work must continue. The TBARTA Board and staff are committed to ensuring that happens.
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TBARTA was created by the Florida Legislature in 2007 to plan and develop a multimodal transportation system that will connect the seven counties of the Tampa Bay region - Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota. Its Regional Transportation Master Plan was approved in May 2009 and Priority Projects in seven counties were identified in December 2009.
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