Transit authorities oppose consolidation

From the beginning, transit authorities in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties have been separate organizations, and both groups made it clear Monday they want to keep it that way.

Meeting in a rare joint session, leaders of both authorities opposed consolidating the two agencies as called for in a Florida Senate bill filed earlier Monday.

State Sen. Jack Latvala, R-St. Petersburg, wants to insert language in the state's transportation bill that could lead to an "organizational merger" or "consolidation of functions" of both agencies.

Latvala's legislation mandates a series of joint meetings between the two transit boards, which would be required to file by February 2013 a detailed report on governance, funding options and other merger elements.

Latvala's legislative initiative followed an idea he floated last year to both revenue-strapped bus systems to seek a regional-based solution to their budget issues.

To no one's surprise, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority and Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority board members did not warm to combining the agencies. Leaders from both groups said they didn't know if a merger would save money over the long term.

They each voted Monday to send separate messages to Tallahassee indicating they oppose consolidation, but would continue to work together on joint fuel and bus procurement and look for further collaborative efforts to save money.

"I think what Jack Latvala had in mind was if we do not (consolidate), tell us why," said Jeff Danner, a PSTA board and St. Petersburg City Council member.

But members of both boards indicated they were aware of the role that state and local politics would have in future consideration of the issue. They also understood the issue was unlikely to disappear, given the focus the governor and Legislature have placed on the Florida budget.

State grants account for $5.2 million of HART's $60.2 million operating budget and $2.5 million of its $40 million capital program for fiscal 2012.

While opposition to consolidation was predictable, the session of more than three hours was not without some political drama, including Pinellas County Commissioner Susan Latvala opposing ex-husband Jack on the merger issue.

"Just because we have the same last name does not mean we are in agreement on this," Susan Latvala said about Sen. Latvala's legislation. "There is no compelling reason for us to merge."

HART board member Karen Jaroch strongly opposed a merger. She warned of a Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority "hostile takeover" of the authority of the two county transit systems.

Steven Polzin, a HART board member and University of South Florida transportation professor, listed 16 factors that could mean consolidation wouldn't create substantial cost-savings or other advantages.

Those factors included the contention there likely would be little benefit from reduction of staff since the majority of employees are drivers, mechanics and others who directly provide service.