commute times
tommyThe big subject lately is transportation.
In addition to your votes that transportation is the first issue to tackle, recent and upcoming TBARTA public meetings and debating red light cameras, Rich Shopes tells us that the Florida Department of Transportation says morning commute times will increase significantly by 2025. The story includes a map of six routes and the estimated driving times during peak hours currently and projected for 2025.
Helpful information missing from the map is the actual mileage for these commutes, driving time outside of rush hour, and alternative means of transportation. It wouldn’t be too hard, since Google does most of the work. Google Maps gives us the actual mileage as well as their calculation of approximate driving time. On top of that, Google Transit is helpful in determining if HART might be a good choice.
If you plan to use this in a court of law, you might want to double-check my math, but here is what we found:
We will start with the longest route given to us by the Tribune, Wesley Chapel to Westshore:
Google Maps Distance: 28 Miles
Off Peak (Google) Time: 33 minutes
Peak Commute Time: 56 minutes
2025 projection: 68 minutes
Google Transit: 91 minutes (two hours for the 6:30 bus) plus a short drive to the Park & Ride. Car ride and two buses for less than 30 miles - sounds like fun, no?Next is St. Pete to Downtown Tampa:
Google Maps Distance: 24.1 Miles
Off Peak (Google) Time: 28 minutes
Peak Commute Time: 53 minutes
2025 projection: 65 minutes
Mass Transit: 80 minutes includes PSTA Bus #59 for 25 minutes, a 10 minute wait, then 100X for 45 minutes. Couldn’t get Google Transit to include Pinellas.Valrico to Downtown Tampa:
Google Maps Distance: 14.1 Miles
Off Peak (Google) Time: 19 minutes
Peak Commute Time: 45 minutes
2025 projection: 60 minutes
Mass Transit: 60 minutes (short drive to the P & R, plus 50 minutes on 22X).Carrollwood to Westshore:
Google Maps Distance: 11.6 Miles
Off Peak (Google) Time: 16 minutes
Peak Commute Time: 45 minutes
2025 projection: 37 minutes
Google Transit: 80 minutes (two buses)Plant City to downtown Tampa
Google Maps Distance: 24.2 Miles
Off Peak (Google) Time: 29 minutes
Peak Commute Time: 38 minutes
2025 projection: 50 minutes
Mass Transit: 60 minutes (short drive to the P&R and 50 minutes on Route 28X).And finally, Brandon to downtown Tampa
Google Maps Distance: 14.1 Miles
Off Peak (Google) Time: 21 minutes
Peak Commute Time: 27 minutes
2025 projection: 31 minutes
Mass Transit: 50 minutes (short drive to the P&R and 40 minutes on Route 27X)
All of that only tells us that current rush hour commute times are simply ridiculous - the average speed from Valrico to downtown is less than 20 MPH, and those of you who drive from Carrollwood to Westshore average less than 16 MPH!!! - and our existing mass transit is even more ridiculous. Can’t wait to hear about your trip, Wayne!
In addition to the outrageous volume of traffic, we know that inattentive and/or distracted drivers hold things up or cause accidents, too. Which is highlighted nicely by the story’s inclusion of a photo by Trib Photog Dave Geiger taken while he was driving.
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March 18th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Your comparison effectively illustrates the current deficiencies in the HART and PSTA systems. In cases where there is a direct and dedicated express bus, the commute is competitive and may be preferable to fighting traffic. Unfortunately, express routes are few and far between and only run 2-4 times daily in most cases. This is why, when traveling over 10 miles, the average ride time seems like it is around 90 minutes.
For what it does, HART does a good job, but it needs to do more.
March 19th, 2008 at 9:40 am
PSTA and HART would LOVE to provide better service. This area is clamoring for increased transit, but the legislature keeps cutting transit funding. Residents are demanding better service including later hours and more frequent buses, but when the voters and legislature force huge budget cuts, we have no way of increasing service.
Our budget will drop by almost $3 million (out of a $56 million total) this year and that doesn’t even factor in the huge rise in the cost of fuel, which will further decimate our coffers.
We’re asking all who want improved transit in the bay area to contact their legislators and encourage them to get us the resources we need to provide our community with the level of transit service it deserves.
March 19th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
As a downtown resident, I can see the failure of public transit every day. The streetcar manages to both burn through millions of dollars annually while INCREASING congestion between downtown, Channelside and Ybor.
Instead of a cheap, trolley-on-wheels circulator running back and forth, the city killed one (and in some places, two) lanes of traffic for the trolley, which averages a handful of riders per run.
In light of this failure, the city wants to expand this boondoggle all over downtown, bringing future gridlock to streets that are currently running smoothly.
No, thanks.
March 20th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Aparently the price of gas hasn’t risen high enough when a CNN poll conducted last week shows that only 19% say they have cut back on driving enough to have a major effect on their daily lives.
A major problem in the Tampa area is the predominate development pattern and lack of density. Mass transit works when the desitination is not only your office building, but is a walkable area of shops, restaurants, and other businesses. The community of development minded, sustainable planners always hits a brick wall with the Tampa guard who fights density with every fiber of their being. Until and unless the politicians and the planners can overcome the fears of individuals, the greater population will not realize the benefits of mass transit and move this city forward, figuratively and litterally.
March 27th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I am seeking a new job in Pinellas County, but from where I live, in Oldsmar, it’s impossible. The bus system is so ill equipped to get people to work that the recent ads “phone and you’re there” are pure lies. It’s impossible to get from Oldsmar to Largo or Clearwater jobs until sometime after 8AM, while employers expect workers to get there by at least 7AM.
The PSTA system simply doesn’t serve the public! And they don’t have any incentive to do better. How long will it take to get county administrators to understand the reality of the situation and even begin to take charge.
PSTA is a outstanding example of corporate fraud.