As the demand for transit service continues to grow in many communities across the country, many transit agencies are considering the implementation of more premium transit services such as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and rail to better serve existing patrons and attract new riders. Because of the Federal New Starts, Small Starts, and Very Small Starts funding programs, limited funding has been made available through FTA for such projects. The key to getting in the queue to secure such funding is an analysis and documentation process that begins with the Project Initiation Package and the Alternatives Analysis (AA). Given the importance of this first step to seek federal support and funding, the AA is often the key to a project eventually proceeding to implementation. TOA is knowledgeable about these federal funding programs and their processes and can assist clients in producing AAs that meet FTA's requirements. Recently, TOA led a team to prepare an AA for a BRT project to connect downtown Clearwater with Clearwater Beach via the Memorial Causeway Bridge.

Representative alternatives analysis projects include:

• US 192 AA (w/VHB, starting in 2012)
• SMART (Sarasota/Manatee Area Regional Transit) Connect Regional Premium Transit Feasibility Study (2011-ongoing)
• Clearwater Beach to Downtown Clearwater Bus Transit Alternatives Feasibility Study and AA (2011)
• HART USF/Downtown Tampa/Tampa International Airport Premium Transit Alternatives Analysis (w/Parsons Brinckerhoff, 2010)

Additional Information

TOA Florida Transit Experience (PDF)

TOA National Transit Experience (PDF)

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