Cost Bike Share Hosts Local Input Session
It's true, soon the Burg will have a bike share program. Similar to the one currently in place in Tampa, St. Pete's program will be run by Cost Bike Share and feature 300 bikes spread across roughly 30 stations in the city. Coast Bike's is accepting input from St. Pete residents about where they would like to see bike stations in city.
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The Coast Bike Share system builds on the Burg's 115 miles of bike facilities. “Having a multitude of transportation options is becoming more important to many of the residents and visitors of St. Petersburg,” said Evan Mory, St. Petersburg’s Director of Transportation and Parking Management. “I’m excited that we’re able to bring bike share to St. Petersburg as a new transportation, health and economic development initiative. As a region not known for excellent public transportation, every small step that we can make towards having more ways to effectively get around, besides continued reliance on privately owned and operated motor vehicles, is a step in the right direction.”
This new program aims to make the now expansive downtown area more accessible to residents who would rather leave their car at home. Back in April, St. Pete City Council approved a $1.5 million dollar contract with CycleHop to bring a bike sharing program to the Burg. Council members and CycleHop hope to have the bike share program up and running by fall of this year.
Hillsborough Commission Approves High Speed Ferry Plan
Earlier this week, the Hillsborough Commission unanimously okayed the business plan for the High Speed Ferry system connecting Tampa and St. Pete. Back in January, Mayor Rick Kriseman worked closely with officials in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Tampa and St. Pete to get each group to earmark $350,000 for the service, which is slated to run seven days a week.
Now Kriseman is working to get each to approve the business plan for the ferry service. Rides would cost $10 each way with ports at the Vinoy basin and the Tampa Convention Center. The pilot project is slated to begin on November 1, 2016.
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