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New North Transportation Alliance Newsletter

Transportation Information Service
December ~ Volume 9, Issue 9
In This Issue:
* HART Announces Community Vision Meetings
* Message From the Chair
* Director Named for New North Transportation Alliance
* Mike Brown Joins Advisory Board
*Free Bike Racks Available to University Area Businesses
*U-Pass Program Extended
*Emergency Ride Home Offered to Commuters
* Community Announcements

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Announces Community Vision Meetings


Take a look around Hillsborough County and imagine trying to get around with twice as many people living in the county than do today.

Hillsborough County has experienced dramatic growth since the 1960’s, with its population increasing from 397,788 in 1960 to 998,948 in 2000. The pace of growth is anticipated to continue, with forecasts calling for 1,262,000 county residents by 2015.

To respond to the projected growth and the increasing demand for service, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) began Vision 2016. HART is looking for information from the public about their travel needs and their ideas for improving and expanding transit services.

Developing transit services that the county will need in the future must be planned today. HART has developed several ways for the public to get involved in Vision 2016.

HART will hold a series of drop in sessions at libraries, shopping centers and transit centers throughout Hillsborough County during December 2005 and January 2006.

The HARTline website is the best option for obtaining information about the Vision 2016 plan and meeting schedule. Technical information about the study will be posted on the website as will information regarding additional meetings. Suggestions and ideas may also be submitted through the website or by completing the online survey.

HART representatives are available to speak at group or organization meetings to present the Vision 2016 Plan. To contact a HART representative call (813) 223-6831; mail a note to 2016 Vision, HART, 201 E. Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 900, Tampa, Florida 33602-5829 or visit the HART website at www.hartline.org/2016vision.



¡About Us¡
Message from the Chair

As chair of the NNTA since 2003, I have had the pleasure of watching the Alliance grow and successfully work towards a vision of improved transportation. I believe we have made a difference this year through the dedication and service of our board members and the response from our community.



The New North Transportation Alliance is a group of public and private partners which discuss and promote transportation solutions for an area of Northeast Hillsborough County roughly from Busch Blvd. north to the County Line. We need input and participation from businesses as well as residents interested in improving their quality of life from a transportation perspective. If you are interested, please contact Julie Bond at (813) 974-9799. Frank Margarella

Director Named for
New North Transportation Alliance
Julie Bond has been named Director of the New North Transportation Alliance. Bond came to Tampa from Salt Lake City where she worked for the Utah Transit Authority. In that post, she worked creating and directing commuter programs for private and public sector businesses.

Bond envisions raising awareness and promoting innovative approaches to sustainable mobility in the New North area as one of her major roles as Director of NNTA. “This is an ideal time to be the new director of the NNTA.” says Bond. “Our community is experiencing growth and now is the time to plan for the future.”



Michael Brown Joins Advisory Board
Michael Brown will represent the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) as a member

of the New North Transportation Advisory board. He recently joined FDOT as part of the Public Transportation Group.

Brown moved to Tampa in 1983 while working for J.C. Penney Co. as a Regional Customer Service Manager. Most recently he worked for Superior Uniform group as a logistics manager. He is married to a lovely Chiropractor with a practice in South Tampa and has one child, Sam, who is two years old.





Free Bike Racks Available to University Area Businesses
Free bike racks are still available to University Area businesses through the New

North Transportation Alliance.

The rack is an “inverted U” style and holds two bikes. The racks provide options for employees who are cycling to work or to customers visiting a business.

If you would like to request a free bike rack or receive further information, please contact the New North Transportation Alliance at 813-974-9799 or bond@cutr.usf.edu.



U-Pass Program Extended
The U-Pass bus ride program at the University of South Florida set to expire in December, 2005 will continue with a few minor changes.

Under the new agreement, faculty and staff will be charged 25 cents per ride. Students will continue to ride fare-free with a new valid USF identification card.

About 30,000 rides are taken on Hart each month using the U-Pass program. For further information, please visit www.newnorthalliance.org.



Emergency Ride Home Offered to Commuters

For commuters traveling to work by bus, bike, carpool, vanpool or walking at least two times a week, Bay Area Commuter Services (BACS) offers a solution for unplanned overtime, an illness or family emergency.

The Emergency Ride Home (ERH) program provides a free taxi ride home from work, and can be used up to eight times per year. Before using the program, commuters must register through the BACS website or by telephone. The ERH program currently has more than 2,000 participants.

For further information contact Bay Area Commuter Services at 1-800-998–RIDE or visit their website at www.tampabayrideshare.org.