Tampa Bay Area Traffic: How to Have Your Say

Tampa Bay area residents who want to have their say about transportation in the region will get their chance next week.

The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority has announced three upcoming telephone town hall meetings related to its 2015 master plan update.

“Biannually, the region adopts a strategic vision for transportation through the TBARTA master plan, in coordination with each of the seven member county leaders, numerous partner organizations, two FDOT districts, and many more public and private stakeholders,” the agency stated in a media release. “Since TBARTA was created in 2007 and looking forward to the next several decades, the conversation about how to improve transportation efficiency for goods and people has evolved and become louder.”

The telephone town hall meetings provide residents a chance to speak out on what they believe should be done to improve transportation in the region.

The meetings have been scheduled as follows:

• April 27, 7:15 p.m. – Manatee and Sarasota focus
• April 28, 7:15 p.m. - Pasco and Pinellas focus
• April 29, 7:15 p.m. - Citrus and Hernando focus

Residents in those counties will receive calls inviting them to take part in the meetings. Anyone can dial in, toll-free to listen and voice their opinions.

The call in number is 1-877-229-8493. The PIN for the call is: 110-303#.

Hillsborough County is hosting its own Go Hillsborough Telephone Town Hall Meetings in May. TBARTA plans to join those meetings, which are set for May 4 and 21 at 7 p.m. The number to call for those meetings is 1-877-229-8493. The PIN is: 110301. For more information about Go Hillsborough, visit its website.

TBARTA is accepting comments on its master plan from April 27 through June 12.

For more information on the meetings and the plan, visit the TBARTA website.

What do you think should be done to ease congestion throughout the Bay? Share your ideas by commenting below.

File photo

Keep up with what’s happening around town and the state by signing up for your favorite Patch daily newsletter: Bloomingdale-Riverview, Bradenton, Brandon, Carrollwood-Northdale, Clearwater, Dunedin, East Lake, Gulfport, Land O’ Lakes, Largo, Lutz, New Port Richey, New Tampa, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Beaches, Safety Harbor, Sarasota, Seminole Heights, South Tampa-Hyde Park, St. Pete, Tarpon Springs, Temple Terrace, Westchase.