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Community Corner

Greenlight Pinellas: It's the Way to Go

This November Pinellas County residents will have the opportunity to move their county forward with expanded and improved bus service and future light rail.  All of which will provide more transportation options, reduce traffic congestion, and improve the air quality in Pinellas County. It's time to join other metropolitan areas that have done the same to improve the quality of life in their communities.

So what is Greenlight Pinellas?  Greenlight Pinellas is a plan developed by community leaders, urban planners, and the public to expand public transportation within Pinellas County and to Tampa airport and other Tampa areas. The majority of the plan is a 65% increase in PSTA (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) bus services.  This increase includes 80% more weekend service, extended late evening and early morning hours, increased transportation services for people with disabilities, enhanced trolley service, Rapid Bus Corridors to major employers and larger activity areas, and other improvements. The entire bus service will transform from a central hub system to a more accessible grid system where most transfers take place at bus stops throughout the community. Most of these improvements will begin later this year and early 2015, while other services such as the Rapid Bus Corridors will take longer.  Planning for the most exciting addition, Passenger Rail, will begin in 2018 and is scheduled to open 2024.

Passenger rail includes 24 miles of rail connecting downtown St. Petersburg with the Gateway/Carillon area and downtown Clearwater. There will also be a route to the Tampa area including Tampa International Airport. The Tampa route will cross Tampa Bay on the new rail addition planned for the Howard Franklin Bridge. Passenger rail will be light rail. Light rail is usually electric, a short train from 1 to 4 cars, and moving about the same speed as adjacent street speed limits – without stopping at lights or traffic tieups. The projected ride time from downtown St. Petersburg to Clearwater is 57 minutes. There will be 16 stations in Pinellas County to shopping and commercial destinations. Park-and-ride lots will be available, as well as additional sidewalks and pedestrian safety improvements. Passenger rail and buses will be handicap accessible and accommodate bicycles.

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So who pays for this? PSTA is currently funded by passenger fares, a property tax, and state and federal funding. The property tax will be replaced by a one percent sales tax. This sales tax will not apply to food, medicine, or other items not subject to tax. There will be a $5000 tax limit on major purchases. It is projected that one third of the sales tax will be paid by tourists. Also, additional funding will come from additional ridership. The public will vote on Greenlight Pinellas and the sales tax this November.

Greenlight Pinellas is a well researched transportation plan that will literally move Pinellas County forward into the 21st century and beyond. The economic and environmental impact cannot be overstated. Tourists will enjoy moving around Pinellas County without having to drive or worry about getting lost. The enhanced bus service and light rail will move students and commuters more efficiently throughout the county enhancing businesses, tourism, and job growth. Traffic congestion and air pollution will decrease making for a better quality of life for all. It's time to move Pinellas County forward with greener transportation options. Vote yes on Greenlight Pinellas!
http://greenlightpinellas.com/

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