Goals, Purposes and Needs

How can regional transit improve the quality of life for residents, workers, and visitors in Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco and Pinellas counties? What should TBARTA's role be to design, implement, and operate such regional transit?  Those are among the questions being addressed by Envision 2030.

History:  During the 2017 Florida Legislative session, the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority (TBARTA) underwent changes to its name and organization as part of Senate Bill (SB) 1672, known as the “TBARTA Act.” The updates to the legislation changed the name and focus of the agency from the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority and reduced the agency membership counties from seven to five. The five‐county region now includes Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, and Pinellas.

The RTDP:  Included in TBARTA's reorganization was a requirement to develop a Regional Transit Development Plan (RTDP). This RTDP, branded Envision 2030: The Future of Transit in Tampa Bay, will be a strategic guide for TBARTA and provide guidelines for development of a regional transit system in Tampa Bay during the coming decade. 

Objectives:  Envision 2030 will meet the requirements of the TBARTA Act, Chapter 14‐73.001, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), and include the
following major elements

• Public involvement plan and process
• Baseline data compilation and analysis (review of regional demographic and travel behavior characteristics Performance evaluation of existing services
• Situation appraisal (agency strengths and weaknesses; external barriers and opportunities;estimation of demand for transit)
• Vision, mission, and goals
• Transit demand and mobility needs
• Regional transit needs and enhancements (funded and unfunded)
• 10‐year implementation and financial plan (projected costs and revenues)
• Organizational structure and role of TBARTA