Hillsborough Area Regional Transit and Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority boards voted Monday afternoon to oppose state legislation aimed at merging the two county bus agencies, reports Mark Holan.
A bill would require HART and PSTA to contribute a total of $100,000 to the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority to “assist and facilitate” a study of the issue.
Members of the two bus agencies, meeting jointly at HART headquarters in Ybor City, said they oppose the state compelling them to spend scarce funds on an idea that will not necessarily save money or improve service.
At the very least, they said, the state should pay for the study.
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State Sen. Jack Latvala, a Republican who represents portions of both counties, is behind the effort. He was not at the meeting.