Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/127088
PONDERING ROUTES AND COSTS The Portland, OR, bus rapid transit system is reportedly one of the best in the nation in terms of services and equipment. Image courtesy Sarasota County A BUS RAPID TRANSIT PLAN FOR SARASOTA COUNTY MAY NEED CITY MONEY By Stan Zimmerman City Editor During a Monday, April 29, community meeting, the Sarasota County interim transportation planning director said a bus rapid transit (BRT) system connecting the airport to downtown likely will require city financial participation. The county is pondering whether it wants to pay $800,000 to fund a study required by the federal government to examine a new route for a BRT system. Buses would run at 10-minute intervals and use dedicated or priority lanes along either U.S. 41, U.S. 301 or Old BraJonathan Paul said, "By August we must have denton Road to downtown. a fairly good idea of The Seaboard Coasthow this will be paid line/Seminole Gulf for." He suggested a By August we must have a fairly Railroad line through city-county interlocal good idea of how this will be paid for. the city was selected agreement or a special Jonathan Paul as the preferred route taxing district to share Interim director Transportation Planning earlier, under a study the estimated $2.5 milSarasota County paid for by the feds. lion annual cost.