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Tampa Unlikely To Give Hybrids A Parking Break

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By RICH SHOPES

Published: December 17, 2007

Owners of hybrid cars will get a break on parking fees in Miami Beach, but Tampa isn't sold on trying the idea here.

The Miami Beach City Commission last week approved plans to give hybrid owners a 25 percent discount on monthly parking rates at city garages and preferred parking spaces at the garages.

The program, which starts Jan. 15, is meant to encourage sales of the environmentally friendly vehicles. That's a worthy goal, says Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, herself a hybrid owner. Don't expect a similar program here, though.

People buy hybrids because they like the cars, not because they're seeking discounts on parking. More importantly, giving hybrid owners a break will be viewed as a symbolic gesture that ends up hurting the parking division, she said.

The city's parking division depends on parking fees to pay its bills and already gives shoppers a break at meters in Ybor City. "With our parking division, it's a break-even situation," said Iorio, who added that mass transit will do more for the environment.

Feds May Fund Rapid Buses

The county's transit agency might have enough money to build its bus rapid transit system, after all.

After the county awarded $40 million to Hillsborough Area Regional Transit to create a BRT system, principally on Nebraska and Hillsborough avenues, the agency said it needs $20 million more to finish the project.

HART Executive Director David Armijo said he met last week with federal officials and "was very encouraged" the feds will come through with the money in the next year or two. The agency will apply for federal funding in the next few months.

A Rocky Problem

Admittedly, it doesn't sound exciting when a state task force convenes to talk about limestone, but lately the subject is causing Florida officials to take notice.

Earlier this year, a judge in Miami ordered four of 10 limestone mines in South Florida to shut down because the mines might pollute the city's drinking water. The ruling worried transportation officials because half the state's road projects use that limestone.

Now a task force is forming to explore the state's options. Its first meeting is at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Westin Tampa Harbour Island in Tampa. The public is invited.

The task force must report its findings to lawmakers on Feb. 1.

"This is very important because Florida is one of the fastest growing states in the country. We have to make sure we are equipped to deal with the growth," said Ananth Prasad, chief engineer for the state Department of Transportation.

A Matter Of Timing

Pam Purol of Carrollwood called to say the traffic signal at Fletcher Avenue and North Dale Mabry Highway was adjusted recently, but now the timing is causing backups on Fletcher. "It backs up two blocks," she said.

Kris Carson, a Department of Transportation spokeswoman, said engineers adjust traffic signals every two years because of changing traffic patterns.

Engineers were checking the signals last week on Dale Mabry, between Lambright Street and Carrollwood Springs Boulevard. They'll continue to tweak the system until the timing is correct at all the intersections, she said.

Got a gripe about your commute? Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at rshopes@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7633.

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