Posted by  Dave Cutler, Tampa, FL on 09/09  at  05:44 AM

Once again, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio has proved to me why she deserves re-election next year.  What Hillsborough County residents need to do is seriously grill like hell candidates for Hillsborough County Commission as well as Temple Terrace and Plant City officials to get them on board with the City of Tampa.  I do believe that absent effective mass transit, we can kiss goodbye major events like the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, Olympics, etc..  In order to be mentioned in the same breath as the New Yorks, the Bostons, the Chicagos, the Atlantas and all the other cities with efficient mass transit, we have to have championship mass transit, not just championship football and hockey teams.

Posted by  Phillip Paree, Largo on 09/08  at  01:02 PM

YES! Finally there’s an elected official speaking out promoting mass transit!!! This is something that has to be done, for the sake of the area. As a Pinellas county resident, I’d love to have the option of riding into Tampa along a light rail line. The only thing that is being accomplished at this point by not having light/commuter rail in place is increasing the cost of putting it in place. Let’s get this thing done! I commend Mayor Iorio for taking a big step in the right direction.

Posted by  Marian Dandridge, Brooksville on 09/08  at  07:23 AM

Believe me I would love to have a transit system from Brooksville to Downtown Tampa that was flexible enough to meet my needs.  I work 4 10 hour days and other ideas, eg. carpool, park and ride, just are not flexible enough.  A system could easily be elevated over the expressways, interstates, etc. without taking up more land.

Posted by  Mark Maxwell, Tampa on 09/08  at  06:36 AM

It’s amazing that very few elected officials has the intelligence to look beyond the next 6 months and take steps for what our future will require.  Instead it’s the county commissioners playing the same old game of us (unincorporated county) against them (Tampa).  If county residents can’t elect more progressive commissioners then maybe its time that Tampa starts annexing all of those unincorporated areas that call themselves Tampa.  Or do what Jacksonville did and incorporate the whole county.  Maybe then we could work together to find a long term solution.
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Posted by  Mark Maxwell, Tampa on 09/08  at  06:36 AM

The cost may seem high but when compared to adding or expanding roads it has a comparable price if not even less. Rail won’t replace the need for roads but it will reduce traffic enough to make them drivable. 

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Posted by  Michael MacQueen, Tampa on 09/08  at  05:09 AM

I’m firmly behind using existing rail lines to implement mass transit. Why, when the high speed rail was a dream, they didn’t consider putting it right down the median of I4, the Fla. Turnpike, etc. I don’t know. Instead they wanted to spend billions to buy more right-of-way.
Of course, now that I’m reaching retirement age, I want ALL those programs Liberals love that has the gummint foot most of the bill to enhance my lifestyle. Does it bother me that 30 somethings will be paying 40-60% income taxes to send me to the doctor every day, and give me free rides to Bradenton on the rail? Naw, I’ll be snoring so loud my teeth will be rattling in the glass by the bed.