Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/185868
Sarasota News Leader October 4, 2013 Page 10 Yet another option would be to keep SCAT more on its larger transit system. SCAT had and MCAT as separate entities and then bring about 3 million unlinked passenger trips in in a private vendor to operate both. 2011, compared with MCAT's 1.6 million. While Barbetta favors a merger, he is not sold Commissioner Christine Robinson also wants on the privatization proposal. "The merger is to see Sarasota explore the possibility of a the stronger possibility of the two," he said. merger. Yet Barbetta is interested in seeing the results When it comes to privatizing the bus services, of the cost analysis. Robinson said she wants to review the results of the cost analysis and hear from residents. "There are other areas of the country that are starting to privatize, and they have better "I see some benefits," Robinson added, "and I headways," Barbetta said. see some drawbacks [of privatization]." If the two agencies merge, the details have to Carter said both possibilities — merger and be worked out on a funding agreement, since privatization — are a "reflection of today's Sarasota County spends nearly three times economy." A chart shows the potential timeframe for taking steps should the two counties move forward with a transit merger. Image courtesy of Sarasota County