Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority and the Hillsborough Area Transit Authority engaged Jacobs Engineering and WSP on an extensive transit plan that determined priorities for new transit projects in the Tampa Bay area. B2 worked to gather input from the public and work with the news media on the transit plan.
B2'S Solution
B2 organized public engagement sessions and stations at community events to gather input on the transit plan as it developed, and worked closely with the news media as the plan evolved.
Much of the work involved explaining the advantages of bus rapid transit; how dedicated lanes would allow the system to work efficiently; and why BRT came out as the favored first project.
The team overcame negativity from several high-profile government leaders, as the overwhelming majority of government and transportation leaders coalesced behind the plan.
Success
The planning team determined that a bus rapid transit line along I-275 was the top recommendation. The result was the approval of the initial phase of the plan by the TBARTA governing board, with one dissenting vote.