Three potential routes for Wesley Chapel-Tampa Rapid Transit System

WESLEY CHAPEL – Potential routes have been selected for the proposed 41-mile bus rapid transit system that would provide express bus service to connect to Wesley Chapel, St. Petersburg and Tampa.

The TBRATAboard’s transit management committee virtually met earlier this week and agreed to move forward with three alternatives out of five. The data presented by consulting firm WSP showed the various costs for each alternative as it depends on how it travels through the interstate and through neighborhoods.

What is BRT? Bus Rapid Transit:

What are the approved options?

The board’s next move is to select one of the options, which could take place during the next board meeting, and to then seek funding for the project from regional and state partners.

Cost

1. Alternative No. 1: $56 million to $71 million

2. Alternative No. 3: $351 million to $416 million

3. Alternative No. 5: $647 million to $742 million

Daily ridership

1. Alternative No. 1: 3,700 to 4,000 riders, with 1,220 to 1,300 being new riders per day. That daily ridership is similar to what Orlando’s commuter rail SunRail experiences.

2. Alternative No. 3: 6,300 to 6,700 daily riders with 3,100 to 3,400 being new riders

3. Alternative No. 5: 7,300 to 7,600 daily riders with 3,800 to 4,100 being new riders

Commute times during peak hours

1. Alternative No. 1: St. Pete to Tampa: 52 to 57 minutes; Wesley Chapel to Tampa: 51 to 97 minutes

2. Alternative No. 3: St. Pete to Tampa: 47 to 51 minutes; Wesley Chapel to Tampa: 39 to 78 minutes

3. Alternative No. 5: St. Pete to Tampa: 42 to 46 minutes; Wesley Chapel to Tampa: 39 to 78 minutes