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Emily Minor

A Better Tampa: Our Proposal for a Mass Transit System

The following maps integrate the various components of a public transportation system plan submitted by the Mobility Major Investment Study* with census information provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. When used together these maps provide a clear picture of our community and the direction it is headed as we enter the 21st century.

My goal was to evaluate the viability of the proposed plan by identifying and assessing all the factors involved in a successful public transportation system. I consider the proposed plan to be a good one overall. However, I have suggested some areas where I feel changes should be made. These changes are based on a few assumptions I have made about the nature of public transportation:

1. For many reasons, including environmental and economic, rail transit should be encouraged wherever realistic (i.e., where tracks already exist)
2. First priority should be given to areas of high population density, low income, and/or where it is currently being used
3. A close second priority should be attracting the "choice" rider (one who has a choice whether or not to use public transportation)

The plan presented here does a good job of fulfilling 1 and 2. Three can be accomplished with good marketing, convenience, and dependable service. I believe that implementing all of these ideas will take Tampa far on its way to becoming a more liveable community.

* led by the BRW, Inc. consulting team
(Thanks to Ed Crawford, AMT executive director, for his information and insight)

Click on any map for an enlargement

Map 1	Map 2
Map 3	Map 4
Map 5	Map 6

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