Transportation

Biking is a way of life for Kerry Bailey, who works for Coast Bike Share, the bike share network for both St. Petersburg and Tampa.

The cycling advocate believes two upcoming "Bike to Work' days in both cities provide an opportunity for others to discover what she calls a vibrant cycling community.

Public transportation has always been an issue in Wimauma, a spread-out, traditionally agricultural community in south Hillsborough County. 

After three years, the first leg of one of the biggest construction projects was unveiled Wednesday at Tampa International Airport.

"We did it! We did it!" exclaimed airport CEO Joe Lopano, as he  helped cut the ribbon alongside Governor Rick Scott on the SkyConnect train. It connects the Main Terminal and the new Rental Car Center, built on the periphery of the airport.

Hillsborough County's transportation planning board on Tuesday approved a plan that would widen the clogged approaches to Tampa coming off the Howard Frankland Bridge. It could start as early as next year.

A new study finds, buses - not rail - would be the most workable option for mass transit in Tampa Bay, because of its lower cost and ability to change along with the city.

The bus rapid transit system is projected to attract 4,500 new riders along 41 miles from St. Petersburg to Tampa and Wesley Chapel, in Pasco County. It would be estimated to cost about half as much as a light rail system.

Tampa International Airport officials are bracing for an influx of holiday travelers coming into and leaving the Tampa Bay area.

The airport saw a record number of passengers during the spring break season and the number of travelers during the 2017 Thanksgiving week was seven percent higher than their busiest year thus far.

Officials said they are expecting this trend to carry over into the Christmas and New Year holidays.

New bills filed in the Florida House and Senate would create a "Statewide Alternative Transportation Authority” and repurpose $60 million out of an existing rail fund to fund alternative transportation projects - such as "Bus Rapid Transit" and autonomous vehicles – starting in the Tampa Bay area and Miami.

A draft of a state audit into Tampa International Airport's $2.3 billion expansion has raised questions about the airport's spending and executive salaries.

Jeffrey Seward has been named as Interim Chief Executive Officer of HART, replacing Katharine Eagan, who resigned effected Jan. 5 to be the CEO of the Port Authority of Allegheny County, Pa.

The HART Board of Directors announced the move Monday, while they conduct a national search for a permanent replacement. 

Three people are dead after a man drove the wrong way on a major interstate on Florida's west coast.

As travelers head to airports during the busy holiday week, airport security officials have a message: Don’t try to bring your guns on the plane.

Public bus riders in Hillsborough County are in for some major changes this week. The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority calls it "Mission Max."

Supplying gasoline to evacuating Floridians is a top priority according to the governor. 

That has meant an accelerated tempo at Port Tampa Bay, which provides the gas, aviation fuel, diesel and oil to Central Florida and the Tampa Bay region.

Earlier this year, the Florida Legislature passed a law that banned local governments from regulating ridesharing companies.

This opened the door for the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority to approve a contract this week with Uber, Lyft and Wingz allowing them to pick up customers curbside at the airport. But they'll pay for the privilege.

Gov. Rick Scott spent the past week touting the state's move ahead of Texas in the overall number of passengers boarding airplanes.

Several hundred people showed up Wednesday night at the first of many planned public meetings to discuss revamping the Tampa Bay area's transportation system. It's a reboot of TBX - Tampa Bay Express - which would have added more than 90 miles of toll lanes to existing free Interstate highways.

It's now called Tampa Bay Next.

The controversial plan to add express toll lanes to Tampa-area Interstate highways is getting a redo. TBX is gone - in its place is Tampa Bay Next.

It still includes express lanes on a rebuilt Howard Frankland Bridge, but adding toll lanes to Interstate 275 is now up in the air.

State Department of Transportation spokeswoman Kris Carson says this is an opportunity to hear what area residents have to say.