Home > Frequently Asked Questions 1. What elements does the study recommend? 2. How does this system fit into the regional transportation network? 3. How does this system affect other proposed transit plans around the region? 4. What are the steps needed to get the system built? 5. Who is going to build and operate the regional system? 6. When will the plan be built? What will be built first? 7. What kind of transit will be used? Will there be buses, light rail, or commuter rail? 8. How much will this regional transit system cost? 9. Will we have enough money to build our planned roads plus regional transit? 10. How will I be able to ride the regional transit system if I am too far away from a station to walk? 11. If I don’t want to ride transit, how will this benefit me? 12. Is the matter of building a transit system such as light rail something that would come before the voters? Is voter approval necessary? 13. Would this start out similar to what was announced a couple of months ago in Orlando? Aren't they using an existing CSX line? 14. What places would the transit system connect? Who would be the first to get transit such as a light rail line? 15. Would it be possible to have free transit or would fares be charged? 16. Could the transit system be financed by tourists subsidizing a large portion of the cost? 17. Do you expect there to be sufficient ridership to support transit? 18. Would the regional system include a combination of rail and buses? 19. Has thought ever been given to using waterborne transportation? Would fast ferries work here? 20. Floridians love their cars -- the vision of drivers with the convertible top down year-round is something that is near and dear to many. Would transit be an acceptable alternative to commuters? 21. Isn't it too hot much of the year for people to wait at transit stations? 22. Would a transit system be built mainly for the benefit of visitors -- and not residents? 23. There have been several failed attempts at high speed rail in Florida. Is this what we're talking about? How will this be different? 1. What elements does the study recommend? The FDOT Strategic Regional Transit Needs Assessment examined major travel patterns to determine regional connections needed for the future. The study looked at corridors (i.e., “connections”) that experience serious congestion problems today, as well as opportunity areas where, if no investments are made, high growth and congestion is anticipated in the future. Five key connections emerged as ones that serve the greatest regional needs: • East Corridor - St. Petersburg to Westshore, Tampa, Lakeland, and points east • South Corridor - St. Petersburg to Bradenton and Sarasota • North-East Corridor - Tampa to USF, East Pasco County, and Brooksville • North-Central Corridor - Westshore to NW Hillsborough, Central Pasco, and Brooksville • North-West Corridor - Pinellas Core (St. Petersburg/Gateway) to North Pinellas and New Port Richey Back 2. How does this system fit into the regional transportation network? The proposed regional transit system supports, supplements, and is supported by our regional roadway network, providing enhanced transportation capacity as well as mobility choices. This system would become part of and enhance our entire network of roadways, local bus systems, bikeways, and pedestrian pathways. Back 3. How does this system affect other proposed transit plans around the region? To date, transit planning in the Tampa Bay area has been primarily local in nature, focusing on one county, or in some cases, one city. This is the first study that covers multiple counties, encompassing the entire West Central Florida region. This is also a long-term plan with a horizon year of 2050. In some cases, the regional corridors, and the connections they make, justify and extend some of the recommendations of previous plans. However, Previous plans did not include as much geographic area, serve multiple regional travel markets, or study such a long time horizon. The regional transit system will be dependent not only on the regional transit connections, but the entire network of transit service including local bus networks and sub-regional premium transit services.. As we build a regional network, consideration will be given to coordinating regional services with other technologies and travel markets to maximize the system’s effectiveness. Back 4. What are the steps needed to get the system built? In the short term, the FDOT will initiate alignment alternatives analysis, environmental clearance, right-of-way preservation, and preliminary design for one or more corridors of the regional system. As the development of these corridors are designed to support the community by enhancing mobility and economic vitality, the FDOT will develop policies to provide financial support of these regional transit investments. Support for the system will need to be included in regional plans. At some point, there will need to be a regional discussion regarding long term funding and designating responsible entities for construction and operations. Back 5. Who is going to build and operate the regional system? The FDOT is not equipped to operate the regional transit system. The community and elected officials will have to decide how the system will be operated and who will be ultimately responsible for construction and operations. Back 6. When will the plan be built? What will be built first? The proposed system is designed to serve the population of today through the Year 2050. At 240 miles in length, it will likely take several decades to build the entire system. However, the FDOT is ready to begin the preliminary planning and design process for some of the system this year. Part of those studies will be determining the corridors that should be developed first and what opportunities there may be for early right-of-way acquisition. Back 7. What kind of transit will be used? Will there be buses, light rail, or commuter rail? A formal alternatives analysis will have to be conducted on each connection/corridor to determine which transit technologies make sense. Careful consideration will be given to the travel speeds needed to make the regional system as effective as possible, while keeping capital and operating costs in mind. Technologies to be considered will include: bus rapid transit, light rail, and commuter rail, among others. Technology choices will be determined in part by the rider market being served, the types of right-of-way available, and the community that hosts station/stop locations. Consideration may also be given to transitional technologies such as starting off with bus service in exclusive right-of-way and then transitioning to rail transit as the system use grows. Back 8. How much will this regional transit system cost? Costs for the system will vary by the technology and engineering details selected for each corridor. Each corridor will also have different right-of-way costs depending on the right-of-way needed, local real estate market, and current level of development. Since this is a long term system with an ultimate time horizon of 2050, the region’s leaders will be able to take advantage of opportunities to maximize the investments made as they come along. Back 9. Will we have enough money to build our planned roads plus regional transit? The costs for building and maintaining our roadway system continue to escalate, and will require additional funding in order to maintain our long term construction schedules. Although there are Federal programs for building transit systems, they are very competitive and will not fund the entire system. Building a regional transit system will also require additional state and regional/local funding. A long term strategy for building capacity into our transportation system will include balancing roadways with transit to maximize our investments in mobility. Back 10. How will I be able to ride the regional transit system if I am too far away from a station to walk? Part of the overall transit strategy will be ways to get to the regional system. The success of the regional transit system will be dependent not only on the regional transit connections, but the entire network of transit service, including local bus networks and sub-regional premium transit services. Access to the station/stops will include pedestrian enhancements, bicycle pathways, park and ride lots, and transfer areas to/from the local bus system. Back 11. If I don’t want to ride transit, how will this benefit me? The FDOT does not expect that transit solutions will reduce the need for or use of roadways. However, there is a limit to the amount of capacity that can be added by roads alone – especially in urban areas. Transit capacities will allow the general public to have transportation choices based on individual lifestyles while adding overall capacity to the transportation system. By increasing the availability of transportation options, we will be increasing access to jobs, education opportunities, and medical facilities. We will also be able to accommodate economic growth and attract new employers looking for an available workforce that is able to find affordable housing and affordable, reliable transportation options. Adding transportation options like the regional transit system will also increase the area’s competitive edge to attract major national conventions and sporting events. A good transit system can enhance our regional economy in many ways, and a good economy is good for all of us. Back 12. Is the matter of building a transit system such as light rail something that would come before the voters? Is voter approval necessary? An investment in rail transit will require public support. Whether it requires voter approval will depend on the proposed funding sources to be used in financing the construction and operation of the system. Back 13. Would this start out similar to what was announced a couple of months ago in Orlando? Aren't they using an existing CSX line? As part of continued planning efforts, an alternatives analysis will be conducted in order to determine the appropriate technology and specific alignments for each of our proposed connections. For some of the corridors, using existing freight rail lines could be an option – like in Orlando. Discussions on opportunities to co-locate freight and passenger rail or to purchase abandoned corridors for passenger rail use would need to occur with CSX. Back 14. What places would the transit system connect? Who would be the first to get transit such as a light rail line? See #1 and #6 15. Would it be possible to have free transit or would fares be charged? While there may be free events, it is most likely that fares would be charged to use the regional system. Back 16. Could the transit system be financed by tourists subsidizing a large portion of the cost? If funding sources such as sales tax or a car rental fee are used to fund the system, visitors to the state will contribute to the costs of building and operating the system. Back 17. Do you expect there to be sufficient ridership to support transit? Regionally, the FDOT has already made a commitment to improving highways – with plans for an eventual 6 to 8 lanes on the interstates and 6 lanes on other major roadways. After those highways are improved, it will be difficult to add more roadway capacity on the existing corridors. Moreover, in many cases there will be limited roadway enhancement options for our urban corridors due to right-of-way costs and existing development. In a 50 year vision, the West Central Florida transportation system will need BOTH roads and transit, what transportation experts call a balanced transportation system. Gaining sufficient ridership for the system is not expected to be a problem – as long as the service provided is reliable, convenient, provides a time or cost savings to individuals, and enhances their quality of life. Ridership can also be enhanced through policies that encourage compact development within the walkable areas around the transit stations. Back 18. Would the regional system include a combination of rail and buses? See #3 and #7 19. Has thought ever been given to using waterborne transportation? Would fast ferries work here? Ferries work best when a strong connection between two water access points exists or land based crossings are difficult/prohibitive to build. They must also be able to connect to strong surface transit systems in case the riders’ ultimate destinations are not directly at the ferry landing. Ultimately, ferries may be part of regional transportation solutions. Back 20. Floridians love their cars -- the vision of drivers with the convertible top down year-round is something that is near and dear to many. Would transit be an acceptable alternative to commuters? The key is that as the regional transit system becomes established, residents and visitors will be able to choose whether they travel in their convertible or travel by transit to their destination in the West Central Florida area. Commuters will have a choice to ride the system (and “leave the driving to someone else”), or take their personal vehicle. The key word is “choice”, and the regional transit system will provide the opportunity to choose. Back 21. Isn't it too hot much of the year for people to wait at transit stations? Transit stations will be designed with the Florida weather in mind. Other southern cities with similar climates (e,g., Atlanta and Dallas) have strong regional transit systems, and stations that are designed for those warmer days of the year. Back 22. Would a transit system be built mainly for the benefit of visitors -- and not residents? Preliminary findings from the SRTNA study indicate that residents benefit most from the regional transit system. Commuters, shoppers, and residents out to enjoy a weekend day will benefit from this system. Visitors will also be able to choose to take the system, from business visitors conducting meetings at one of the regional activity centers, to vacationers enjoying the beaches or Busch Gardens, for example. Back 23. There have been several failed attempts at high speed rail in Florida. Is this what we're talking about? How will this be different? High speed rail does not serve the same purpose (i.e., ridership/users) as this regional transit system. The primary purpose of the high speed rail initiative was designed to serve state-wide travel and connect major metropolitan areas to each other. The regional system will serve more everyday types of travel within the West Central Florida region. The regional transit system will not depend on high speed rail to be effective. However, if/when high speed rail does get built, the regional transit system will provide connection choices within the West Central Florida region for those riders accessing the high speed rail system. Back

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