In this Issue

MPO & FDOT plan for express buses in toll lanes   

Los Angeles Silver Line, source: LA Metro 

If you've ever wished for a helicopter to fly you over traffic snarls to your destination, the idea of a limited-stop express bus running in speed-controlled interstate toll lanes may appeal to you.  The Hillsborough MPO has partnered with FDOT District 7 to study how this big idea could work in the I-275 and I-4 corridors.  Conceptual plans for the express toll lanes are under development by FDOT.  The parallel transit study examines questions like:

• Will there be easy access to park & ride lots?
• What destinations would draw the most riders?
• How much would a bus service like this cost?

Cities like Houston and San Diego found that when they built park & ride stations with speedy direct ramps to the express lanes, they couldn't keep up with the passenger demand.  Demand for express bus service has also grown significantly in Miami's I-95 corridor, where bus speed increased 300% after HOV lanes were converted to "HOT" Sunpass lanes and expanded.  

Here in Tampa, a limited-stop express bus service might travel I-275 from St Petersburg to Carillon, Westshore, Downtown Tampa, the USF area and Wesley Chapel, with stations close to the interstate where local bus routes connect. Public meetings on the concept will be held as part of FDOT's "Tampa Bay Express" toll lanes development planning process. Stay tuned for more info and public meeting dates, or contact Sarah McKinley, 813.273.3774 x382 to be placed on the MPO's contact list for the BRT in Tampa Bay Express Toll Lanes study.

Special needs prep for hurricane season

• Call the Hillsborough County Health Department at 813-307-8063
• Call the Hillsborough County InfoLine at 813-272-5900, TTY 813-301-7173
• Call your home health care provider
• Complete an evaluation form (below) and fax to 813-276-8689 or mail to:
  Hillsborough County Health Department
  P.O. Box 5135
  Tampa, FL 33675-5135
•  English form   
•  Spanish form 

Medicaid transportation changes!  

As of June1, in Hillsborough County, most transportation of Medicaid clients to non-emergency medical appointments will no longer be provided through a contract between the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged, and local for-hire vehicle operator MMG Transportation.  Under a new statewide policy, AHCA will work with managed-care organizations. In Hillsborough County Amerigroup, Better Health, Humana Medical Plan, Integral Quality Care, Prestige Health Choice, Staywell and Sunshine Health will provide all client services. These organizations will contract with transportation brokers operating in Florida.    

If you are a current Medicaid client of MMG Transportation and are now enrolled in a Medicaid Managed Care program, you must contact your managed-care provider, or their transportation broker, to request transportation. A counselor will assist you in selecting the plan that best meets your needs. To contact a choice counselor, go to flmedicaidmanagedcare.com or call 1-877-711-3662 to talk to a choice counselor.  You can also request an in-person visit from a choice counselor.

For more info, contact Michele Ogilvie at 813.273.3774 x371.

MPO endorses SouthShore circulators   

Megabus brings intercity service

Hillsborough to have 600,000 transportation disadvantaged by 2040    

The MPO has almost completed the 2014 Transportation Disadvantaged Service Plan (TDSP) for Hillsborough County.  The Plan is updated each year to ensure that programs and services keep pace with the needs of the elderly, disabled and low income populations who cannot transport themselves. A combination of the County's Sunshine Line and private contractors provide curb to curb service. 

This year's update, for example, forecasts that Hillsborough County's TD population will reach 591,664 people by 2040. This will generate more than a million additional trips and require the Sunshine Line grow by an additional 28 vehicles by 2040.  The Transportation Disadvantaged Coordinating Board oversees the TDSP and implementation of services. The Board has asked that this year's update includes the costs of providing additional Priority IV trips, to include work, education and recreation trips.

The Transportation Disadvantaged Coordinating Board will review the TDSP at their June 27th meeting.  For more information contact Michele Ogilvie at 813.273.3774 x317 or ogilvime@plancom.org.

HART has you covered

Funding sought for Marion St transitway 

• Stop Consolidation and Spacing. By reducing the total number of stops and spacing stops to allow buses to pass, bus speeds can increase, and passenger amenities can be concentrated in fewer locations.
• Stop Assignment and Ticket Vending to speed up boarding and improve passenger access to the system.  
• New, more transparent and well-lit shelters, with a full complement of passenger amenities and information to provide greater levels of comfort and a stronger sense of safety and security.
• New Streetscapes, including upgraded sidewalks, better lighting, enhanced landscaping, and fixing pavement deficiencies, so that both transit patrons and pedestrians can enjoy a quality environment and improved north-south connections through the heart of downtown.

This goal is to maximize service, attract higher levels of ridership, serve new transit markets, improve the transit patrons' experience, and contribute to the continued revitalization and regeneration of Tampa's urban core. The federal funds will be matched with local funds In the amount of $2,500,000 bringing the total project cost to $12,500,000.

HART's summer blast pass is back!     

For only $30, you can have freedom, and your kids can have some independence. The Summer Blast Pass allows kids 5-17 to have unlimited rides on HART service* from May 13 to August 31 for just $30! To pick up your Summer Blast Pass, stop by one of these HART locations:

• Downtown: HART on Franklin (limited hours) or at the Marion Transit Center
• University Area: University Area Transit Center on 27th Street
• HART Administrative Offices on 7th Avenue in Ybor

Exchange your gas receipt for a FREE HART 1-Day pass on June 19th!    

TBARTA launches myRIDE this summer    

Finding transportation options can be difficult, especially when you have special requirements. Do you know where to get that information?

With TBARTA's myRIDE service, you can explore over 200 local and regional providers of transportation services - from on-demand medical transport to wheelchair-accessible vans with just one call or one click. Listings also include local bus systems, and options for statewide travel.

The myRIDE service is made possible by a federal grant from the Veterans Administration (VA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The goal is to ease access to the information available to veterans and military families, but myRIDE will be available to everyone, free. Look for more announcements and information about myRIDE in the coming weeks.

For more information, contact Alex English at TBARTA at 813.282.8200.    

Tampa among record-breaking cities