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HART To Introduce A Truly Rapid Transit System

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By RICH SHOPES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 18, 2008

TAMPA - While transit riders hope for a new train system downtown, they'll be able to use a speedy bus service.

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit is planning to introduce a 17-mile Bus Rapid Transit system.

The high-speed buses would start rolling on Fletcher and Nebraska avenues in 2011.

The agency started a 10-month study in September. The $32 million system will have bigger buses and fewer stops -- about every quarter-mile instead of every block or two.

Aspects of the plan are to be discussed from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Seminole Heights Baptist Church, 801 E. Hillsborough Ave. Riders are being asked for input.

"We're hoping to get people who have a business or live in the area who have a vested interested in this project," HART spokesman Ed Crawford said.

One possibly tricky issue that could come up: Once the BRT system debuts, the Route 2 bus might run less often because both systems will use Nebraska Avenue.

Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633 or rshopes@tampatrib.com.

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