From his perch on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., announced the federal government is sending almost $22 million to Tampa Bay to help launch a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line.
On Friday, Crist announced the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) will get $21.8 million “for construction of the Tampa Bay region’s first-ever Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line which would run from downtown St. Petersburg to the beach.”
Crist weighed in on the funds on Friday.
“With these federal dollars, this state-of-the-art project will finally become a reality,” said Crist. “The new BRT line will increase accessibility to the beaches for tourists, hospitality industry and other workers, and take more cars off the roads. I look forward to its completion and a new way of moving Pinellas forward!”
Crist’s office insisted the grants will give a boost to Pinellas County commuters.
“The BRT line will provide a fast, easy, and reliable transportation option to serve local attractions, destinations, and residential communities across Pinellas. The train-like vehicles will feature semi-dedicated lanes, limited stops, and safety enhancements for riders including level boarding platforms, ADA compliant crosswalks, and free WiFi,” Crist’s office noted.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
