• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

       

Click to join our weekly e-newsletter

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices

Pasco County to get electric buses?

January 4, 2022 By B.C. Manion

In the next few years, Go Pasco — the county’s public transportation system — may begin to go electric.

Kurt Scheible, director of the county’s transit system, briefed the board of the Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization about the potential for obtaining federal funds to begin rolling electric buses on local roads within a few years.

“Things don’t happen overnight, but we do want to move forward toward something like that because I do think it is just beneficial for both Pasco County and the environment,” Scheible said.

Plus, the buses are quieter and have fewer vibrations.

Because there are less vibrations, Scheible said, “they’re actually a little bit safer.”

He explained why they’re safer: “You fly on a plane and you’re tired and you haven’t done anything — it’s just the vibrations that you’re with. It’s the same type of thing (for bus drivers).”

He told the MPO board that it will likely be about a two-year process to get local and federal funding together to acquire the buses.

“The good news is that we were with PSTA (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) when they went out for the electric bus bid. We were part of that, so we’ll be able to use that contract to purchase the buses,” Scheible said.

Once he knows the cost, then the transit authority can get the MPO board’s input and move forward with seeking federal funding for the buses.

His best guess is that Pasco would get eight or nine electric buses and a charging station, with federal funding covering the lion’s share of the cost.

Scheible expects to use the buses along U.S. 19, which is traveled by about one-third of the county’s transit customers.

He estimated the electric buses will cost about $1 million each and the charging station likely will cost about the same amount.

Federal funding will be sought to pay for the buses and the charging station, he said.

The charging station would likely be on the north end of U.S. 19, on U.S. 52, where there’s an existing substation, Scheible said.

He told the Pasco MPO board members to stay tuned because he expects to bring them updates on the issue in coming months.

The Pasco County MPO is the lead transportation planning agency in Pasco County that serves the following municipalities in Pasco: Zephyrhills, San Antonio, St. Leo, New Port Richey, Port Richey and Dade City.

According to federal and state laws, the Pasco County MPO is responsible for establishing a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive transportation planning process for Pasco County. Key responsibilities are the creation of the 20-year Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), the five-year Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), and the five-year Transportation Improvement program.

The MPO board is made up of representatives of the Pasco County Commission and elected leaders from Zephyrhills, Dade City, New Port Richey and Port Richey.

Published January 05, 2022

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search

The Recap Presents…

Sponsored Content

ICI Homes Continues to Sell and Expand in Today’s Market

June 28, 2022 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

ICI Homes, one of Florida’s best-known and prestigious homebuilders, is continuing to sell and expand, as a large number … [Read More...] about ICI Homes Continues to Sell and Expand in Today’s Market

Toni Hedstrom Gets Creative for Buyers and Sellers

June 28, 2022 By Kelli Carmack

Toni Hedstrom, a Lutz resident for 13 years and real estate agent for Compass Realty, is always looking to be creative, … [Read More...] about Toni Hedstrom Gets Creative for Buyers and Sellers

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

07/04/2022 – 4th of July celebration

Avalon Park’s 4th of July Celebration will take place on July 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., in Wesley Chapel. There will be a patriotic bake-off, a bike parade, bounce houses, food trucks, community performances, vendors, and fireworks at 9 p.m. Visit AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com, or call 813-783-1515 for more information. … [Read More...] about 07/04/2022 – 4th of July celebration

07/04/2022 – Cake Contest

Entries for the Lutz 4th of July Cake Contest can be dropped off at the Lutz Community Center, 98 First Ave., N.W., between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., on July 3; or between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., on July 4. Cakes must be no larger than 9 inches by 13 inches. Cakes or pies that require refrigeration will not be accepted. Categories include: Adult Best Decorated; Adult Best Tasting; Youth Best Decorated (ages 11 to 18); Youth Best Decorated (10 and younger); Youth Best Tasting (11 to 18); Most Patriotic (all ages); Guv’na Favorite; Cupcakes Best Decorated; Best Pie (all ages); and Youth Best Tasting (10 and younger). All entries will be auctioned off after the parade. For information, email . … [Read More...] about 07/04/2022 – Cake Contest

07/04/2022 – Starkey Market’s Fourth

Starkey Market, 3460 Starkey Blvd., in New Port Richey, will host a 4th of July evening from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., for the whole family. The event will include food, fireworks and music. Bring your own chairs and blankets. No outside food, beverages or coolers will be allowed. The cost is from $10 to $25. Children ages 6 and younger are free. Limited tickets are available. Visit tinyurl.com/bdh9vjs7. … [Read More...] about 07/04/2022 – Starkey Market’s Fourth

07/04/2022 – Tax collector closure

The five Pasco County Tax Collector’s Offices will be closed on July 4, in honor of Independence Day. Offices will reopen on July 5 at 8:30 a.m., for normal business. … [Read More...] about 07/04/2022 – Tax collector closure

07/05/2022 – Read with a furry friend

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, in partnership with Pasco County Animal Services, will host a “Tale for Tail Reading Session” on July 5 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., for ages 5 and older. Participants can bring their own book or borrow one from the library to practice their reading skills with an adoptable furry friend. Registration and liability waiver are required. Register online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 07/05/2022 – Read with a furry friend

07/06/2022 – Cribbage club

Weekly Cribbage Club meetings are every Wednesday at 6 p.m., at the Wilderness Lake clubhouse, 21326 Wilderness Lake Blvd. in Land O' Lakes. The club is currently playing informally, but is looking to join the ACC cribbage organization. For more information/questions call 732-322-7103, or email . … [Read More...] about 07/06/2022 – Cribbage club

More of What's Happening

Follow us on Twitter

The Laker/Lutz News Follow

Your home for weekly news that impacts your life and community. Serving Land O' Lakes, Lutz, New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

LakerLutzNews
lakerlutznews The Laker/Lutz News @lakerlutznews ·
1 Jul

LCOAL UPDATE: Mike Carballa is Pasco County’s new interim administrator, effective July 30. He has been selected to replace Dan Biles as the county’s new administrator, when Biles’ contract lapses on Oct. 1. Full story: https://lakerlutznews.com/lln/2022/06/103096/

Reply on Twitter 1542894556789833730 Retweet on Twitter 1542894556789833730 Like on Twitter 1542894556789833730 Twitter 1542894556789833730
Retweet on Twitter The Laker/Lutz News Retweeted
mositampa MOSI @mositampa ·
1 Jul

We continue to celebrate MOSI’s 60th Anniversary through our Social Media Contest. In July, we are asking our friends to submit a funny Science meme or photo. Submissions accepted July 1- July 31. Winning submission gets one free MOSI Pioneer Membership. https://conta.cc/39JPT09

Reply on Twitter 1542817813831745537 Retweet on Twitter 1542817813831745537 4 Like on Twitter 1542817813831745537 8 Twitter 1542817813831745537
Retweet on Twitter The Laker/Lutz News Retweeted
pascocountypio Pasco County PIO @pascocountypio ·
30 Jun

#HurricaneSeason 2022 TIP: High winds can whip up with or without warning - having the same effect as a strong thunderstorm or tornado. Older homes can be more at risk. To minimize damage, keep up with home repairs. More info http://MyPasco.net #PascoCounty #PascoPrepares

Reply on Twitter 1542568660304142338 Retweet on Twitter 1542568660304142338 2 Like on Twitter 1542568660304142338 Twitter 1542568660304142338
Load More

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2022 Community News Publications Inc.

    Doc
%d bloggers like this: