WEDU presents programs on mass transit’s future in Tampa Bay
The discussions surrounding mass transit in the Tampa Bay area are becoming increasingly lively as we all experience congestion and traffic chaos on a daily basis. But what is the road to the future? High Speed Rail; Light Rail; Better Bus Systems; Wider Highways? WEDU will take an in-depth look at the issues and choices facing Tampa Bay as we pave the road to our transportation future with two upcoming programs. The first is a online-only community conversation; followed by a special one hour edition of Florida This Week: “Blueprint Tampa Bay Transportation: Livability & Sustainability” which will look at not only transportation in Tampa Bay, but in other cities working to break the gridlock, decrease our dependence on oil, and increase access to transportation on WEDU on Friday, October 1 at 8:30 p.m.
In the community conversation, taped earlier this week in front of a live audience, Florida This Week host Rob Lorei led a compelling discussion with panelists: Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio; St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster; Bill Dudley, St. Petersburg City Council Member; Donald Skelton, District 7 Secretary, Department of Transportation; Ronnie Duncan, Chairman of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority; Susan Glickman, Dir of Fl. Business network for a Clean Energy economy; Sharon Calvert of No Tax for Tracks; Steve Reich, Program Manager, Center for Urban Transportation Research-USF.
The Florida This Week special edition will continue our discussion, but also profile transportation projects in other cities including Charlotte and Phoenix. With four expert panelists, the conversation has an opportunity to increase public awareness of the issues and provide a better roadmap of understanding for the area’s transportation future.
The special broadcast and video streaming on wedu.org were made possible by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to extend public awareness, political debate and community action around the important issues of livability and sustainability showcased in the ongoing PBS Blueprint America series. WEDU and nine other public media outlets across the country received grants of $10,000 each to create local productions through television or radio complemented by community outreach events and online engagement.
About Blueprint America – PBS Reports on Infrastructure
Blueprint America is a precedent-setting multi-platform initiative that will harness the power of public media’s most prestigious programs, primetime documentaries, community and educational outreach, and the web to shine an unyielding spotlight on one of the most critical issues facing our country, yet one that has been under-reported by the traditional news media: America’s decaying and neglected infrastructure. The project is being supported with a major grant from The Rockefeller Foundation; more information can be found at pbs.org/blueprintamerica.
About The Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation was established in 1913 by John D. Rockefeller Sr. With assets of more than $4 billion, the Foundation attempts to harness the creative forces of globalization by supporting breakthrough solutions to 21st century challenges. This helps ensure that the tools and technologies that have significantly improved the human condition in many locations over the past half-century are accessible to more people, more fully, in more places and that disadvantaged and vulnerable people are equipped to seize them. Visit www.rockfound.org.
