TBARTA looks at Phoenix transit plan

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As the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority moves closer to bringing mass transit to the area, board members are looking at other cities for guidance.

Richard Simonetta, chief executive officer of Valley Metro Rail Inc., the transit authority in Phoenix, presented an overview to TBARTA board members Friday of how Phoenix got its light rail system. Although Phoenix voters first approved a one-half cent sales tax for freeway expansion in 1985, it wasn't until 2000 that the mass transit movement took off.

Phoenix is scheduled to open 20 miles of light rail this fall, and more links are to come in the next five years.