TRANSIT: Pinellas County, Fla., mass-transit plan picking up steam

Those in Pinellas County, Fla., hoping to bring mass transit to the area had their cause bolstered this week when State Sen. Jack Latvala publicly announced his support for the Greenlight Pinellas proposal. Latvala is the first politician to openly support the plan at the state level.

Greenlight Pinellas is a full-spectrum public transportation improvement plan, centered around the creation of a 24-mile light-rail system connecting Clearwater and St. Petersburg, plus a bus rapid transit (BRT) service in select areas. Regular bus service would also be expanded by 65%.

Opponents of Greenlight Pinellas argue the $2.2 billion plan is too expensive. The light rail alone carries a cost of $1.6 billion. Funding for the project would reportedly come via a 1-cent sales tax that would replace a transit property tax. Supporters note that this method would allow contribution from tourists, who would also be heavy users of mass transit in the area.

A referendum on the project is scheduled to appear on the ballot for Pinellas County residents on Nov. 4.