Interested in finding out how mass transit and smart growth would encourage area folks not to drive and thus drastically reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions? Drop by the May meeting of the Tampa Bay Sierra Club, and take part in a lively discussion on the topic, "Regional Mass Transit Master Plan: A Vision For The Future." The talk is led by Cassandra Ecker of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA), an agency that strives to improve mobility and expand multimodal transportation options for passengers and freights throughout its seven-county region. Eckerd presents an overview of Florida Department of Transportation's Transit Master Plan for West Central Florida, discusses what it means for the future of Tampa and Hillsborough County, and points out the steps necessary to institute a regional transportation system. Wed., May 14, 7 p.m., Children's Board of Hillsborough County, 1002 E. Palm Ave., Ybor City, 813-741-3054, florida.sierraclub.org/tampabay.
This article appears in May 7-13, 2008.