Regional Mass Bay Area Transit Proposed

BRADENTON —  Packing up the kids and walking to the corner to go to a Rays game, to see the Bucs or even to spend the day at the sponge docks in Tarpon Springs may be an idea that is not so far off into the future. 

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) Authority, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) and Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) are nearing a regional transit program that could cover eight Tampa Bay area counties. It's called the Regional Revenue Collection and Inter-Jurisdictional Mobility Project. 

It is conceivable that one day – not too far in the future – one might jump on a bus in Venice and get off in New Port Richie, Dade City or Lakeland, and surf the internet or read a book along the way. HART CFO, Jeffrey Seward, is working hard to make it happen.

In 2012 HART, PSTA, MCAT, SCAT, along with Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Counties, formed a Regional Working Group to study the effectiveness of the use of smart fare cards throughout the region with inter-county connectivity. 

This would allow one fare media to be used by all all Tampa Bay area transit agencies, using smart card reading technology.

Next is a pilot program that will start in 2015. HART will purchase the required hardware and software and there are state and federal grants that could be picking up most of the cost for the participating counties.

MCAT and SCAT have recently agreed to start a program between the two agencies, and no doubt, this effort can only promote and assist the Regional Working Group's goals.

The question about cash – still being an accepted payment – was answered by Seward with a big yes. "Cash payments will always be acceptable."

Manatee County Commissioners voted to continue on the road to a Bay area regional transit system, by a unanimous vote at Tuesday's BOCC meeting.