Advertise on podcast: On the Go! with TBARTA

A century ago the streetcar was Tampa's preferred means of public transit.  Now its popularity is back on the rise, as the TECO Line Streetcar is setting record ridership numbers. Providing free transit to both commuters and visitors, there are big plans for expansion. City of Tampa Director of Mobility Vik Bhide talks about the streetcar's past, present and future.

Getting from Point A to Point B isn't always easy. Mobility as a Service (MaaS) can help.  MaaS applications integrate multiple forms of transportation services, providing the user with a diverse menu of public and private options that can simplify your local travel decisions. Tampa is getting onboard, launching its own MaaS program. In this episode we explore how it works with City of Tampa Smart Mobility Manager Brandon Campbell.

Two transit facilities on opposite sides of Tampa Bay are in serious need of replacement. In Pinellas County, PSTA needs to replace its outdated Clearwater Transit Center, while in Hillsborough HART is in dire need of a new heavy maintenance facility. Why are these projects on top of the priority list and what's being done to make it happen? We take a closer look at each project in this two segment episode.

The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority has a new leader.  After two decades of working his way through the ranks at the Maryland Department of Transportation, Greg Slater joined THEA this past February as CEO and Executive Director. In this episode, he outlines his vision for the authority and discusses how THEA is developing new technology that will impact travel in Tampa Bay. 

The internationally recognized Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida combines research and education to improve the way we move today and in the years ahead.  In this episode of On the Go!, we focus on one area of expertise, Transportation Demand Management (TDM), with CUTR Senior Associate Sara Hendricks.

Communities across the world are increasingly embracing micromobility, including the city of Tampa. With a pilot project complete, the city is moving to make the use of scooters, bicycles, e-bikes and more a permanent part of Tampa's mobility capabilities.  How has micromobility changed the way Tampa moves and interacts?  We find out from the city's Smart Mobility Manager Brandon Campbell.

One year ago Adelee Le Grand became CEO of the Hillsborough Transit Authority, beginning a mission to make HART Tampa Bay's top transit provider. In this episode, she shares her experiences from her first year and outlines her priorities to serve both Hillsborough County customers and HART's own employees.  Le Grand also discusses how HART is embracing innovative technology to improve the transit rider experience.

As more people begin heading back into work, rush hour traffic is resuming and many are discovering they dread the back and forth grind. Vanpooling offers commuters the chance to save hundreds of dollars each month and employers the opportunity to recruit and retain new workers. TBARTA's Chris Jadick talks with Ken Boden of Commute Tampa Bay and Arlinda Karuli of Commute with Enterprise to explore how it works, as well as the many benefits for both riders and employers. 

Flamingo Fares is a new, contactless payment method that is safe, convenient and can save transit riders a lot of money.  Cassandra Borchers of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority tells why PSTA is introducing Flamingo Fares now, how PSTA riders can use it, and what the advantages are for transit customers.  Plus, we get an update on PSTA's many projects, including AVA autonomous vehicle testing and the SunRunner BRT. 

Why is regionalism increasingly important in government, and how is the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC) helping to improve the quality of life across six counties?  TBRPC Executive Director Sean Sullivan shares his experiences from leading regional efforts here over the past five years.  Plus, why the agency is increasingly focused on resiliency, and how it's ready to protect you in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm.

Transit agencies across the nation, including Tampa Bay, are actively recruiting, hiring, and training future transit bus operators. What does it take to become an operator? What are the unknown benefits of serving the transportation public?  We hear from two former drivers who have advanced into transit leadership careers, Brian Abrams of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) and A.J. Ortiz of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA).

Air taxis are on the horizon of Tampa Bay's transportation future.  But how can we be assured autonomously flown aircraft will be safe? Is the public ready to fly in aircraft without a pilot onboard? We explore those questions and more in part two of our interview with Anna Dietrich and Yolanka Wulff, co-founders of CAMI, the Community Air Mobility Initiative.