Central Avenue Rapid Transit April 5, 2019

What is Rapid Transit? Quality of rail transit combined with the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of buses Rapid Transit systems may include a range of features: Semi-dedicated lanes Upgraded/uniquely branded stations with level-boarding = easier access for wheelchairs and bicycles (increased bike capacity too) Signal priority for schedule adherence Off-board fare collection More frequent service and longer operating hours

Why Here? Highest ridership corridor in Pinellas County Better serve increasing transportation needs for workers, tourists, residents and businesses Reduce current travel time (end-to-end) 30% Provide a fast, easy & reliable car-free option to/from major destinations and residential areas CAT is SRO during rush hours with workers

Project Characteristics 11-mile Rapid Transit corridor 17 stations/station pairs Serves cities of St. Petersburg, South Pasadena and St. Pete Beach Projected ridership of 4,500/day

1st Tampa Bay Project in Fed Process Total project cost* (YOE) - $41.36 Million Funding Sources: FTA FDOT City of St. Petersburg PSTA Co-locate bike lanes in certain areas where it can be accommodated during resurfacing On 1st Aves – as we look at the BAT lanes, how can bikes continue to be accommodated in CORRIDOR Vehicle primarily focused on hybrids – priced out how we could do it with hybrid technology but with electric bus demonstration and more money could potentially do electrics; focused on right side boarding options to keep it compatible with rest of fleet. Working on these at the moment, probably ready to bring concept to City Council early March – good time for this group to get in on details. *Includes costs of stations, vehicles, road & infrastructure improvements

Business Access and Transit (BAT) Lanes BAT lanes are used by buses and other vehicles needing to make turns (to/from streets, homes & businesses) Can be used by emergency vehicles and during mandatory evacuations BAT lanes currently proposed along 1st Avenue North and South and along Pasadena Ave.

Left-Side Running BAT Lanes Right side bus boarding using platforms that are fenced off from traffic and protected from oncoming traffic Co-locate bike lanes in certain areas where it can be accommodated during resurfacing On 1st Aves – as we look at the BAT lanes, how can bikes continue to be accommodated in CORRIDOR Vehicle primarily focused on hybrids – priced out how we could do it with hybrid technology but with electric bus demonstration and more money could potentially do electrics; focused on right side boarding options to keep it compatible with rest of fleet. Working on these at the moment, probably ready to bring concept to City Council early March – good time for this group to get in on details.

Station Platform Adjacent to BAT Lane Right side bus boarding using platforms that are fenced off from traffic and protected from oncoming traffic

BRT Station – In-line Station

Station Design – Curb-side

Community Outreach Numerous neighborhood and stakeholder meetings conducted in 2018 and 2019 including: Palmetto Park Grand Central District CONA Central Oak Park Methodist Town Historic Kenwood Edge District Pasadena Cove Condominiums Harborside Condominiums USF St Petersburg Tradewinds Don Cesar Resort St Pete Chamber of Commerce

Project Status FTA approved entry to Small Starts Project Development – May 2016 Project received “Medium-High” rating by FTA – March 2018 and again in March 2019 We are HERE Co-locate bike lanes in certain areas where it can be accommodated during resurfacing On 1st Aves – as we look at the BAT lanes, how can bikes continue to be accommodated in CORRIDOR Vehicle primarily focused on hybrids – priced out how we could do it with hybrid technology but with electric bus demonstration and more money could potentially do electrics; focused on right side boarding options to keep it compatible with rest of fleet. Working on these at the moment, probably ready to bring concept to City Council early March – good time for this group to get in on details.

Next Steps Continue project design (anticipate completion by Summer/Early Fall 2019) Coordinate with Federal Transit Administration on a Small Starts Grant Agreement (anticipate by Late Fall 2019) Coordinate with project stakeholders including FDOT, St Petersburg and Pinellas County on project design Initiate vehicle procurement (anticipate by Spring/Summer 2019) Continue community outreach

Abhishek Dayal, AICP Director of Project Management Office Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority Adayal@psta.net