Rapid-transit bus system proposed for Hillsborough

Saturday, November 22, 2008

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HART officials have proposed a new rapid-transit bus system to carry riders between Temple Terrace and downtown Tampa.

TAMPA (Bay News 9) -- Officials are moving forward with an effort to create a rapid transit bus system in Hillsborough County.

Bus rider Kiblina Williams says the current system is "slow."

"Yeah, it takes a long time," she said. "It's about 30 minutes to an hour on the bus, but on a train it's, like, fast, quick, go."

Officials with the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit hope the two-line system will speed riders from Temple Terrace to downtown Tampa and back.

The north-south system will take riders from a park-and-ride lot on Fletcher Avenue near I-75 West to Nebraska Avenue, and then from Nebraska Avenue south to Kennedy Boulevard. The bus line will continue west on Kennedy to Marion Street and then north to the downtown transfer center.

An east-west route serving Tampa International Airport is also on the drawing board.

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The buses will run every 10 minutes, rather than the standard 30 minutes to an hour. In addition, there will be fewer stops - one every half-mile instead of the standard, which is one every block.

Another feature of the system will be the use of traffic signal priorities for the rapid-transit buses. This means the drivers will be able to extend green lights and shorten red lights so they can get their buses through intersections more quickly.

James H. Washington says having to use a cane to get around slows him down enough, and so the prospect of speedier bus service appeals to him.

"I want to be on it," he said. "It will be helpful not only to me but to a whole lot of people."

The new system won't be as fast as the subways and rail systems found in many other cities, but New York native Williams said that won't be a problem for her.

"Anything to get there faster, because you don't want to be in the cold waiting on a bus for 30 or 45 minutes," she said.

HART officials are looking for rider input on some elements of the proposed rapid-transit bus system, including the location and design of bus stops. Anyone who wishes to voice their opinions about the proposed system can call the HART main switchboard at 813-223-6831 and ask to speak to the Planning Department.