SCAT needs $1.8 million for Siesta Key route

Sarasota County Area Transit officials will update Sarasota County commissioners on budget requests, including the $1.8 million needed to start a trolley service on Siesta Key at their regular meeting 9 a.m., Jan. 29, at the R.L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice.

The county must spend $760,000 to buy two buses and sign a $1.08 million joint-participation agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for operational costs throughout the next three years, according to the SCAT presentation.

Sarasota County Interim Transportation Planning Director Jonathan Paul will discuss bus rapid transit, which utilizes rails for public transportation during the Jan. 30 County Commission meeting.

County commissioners will discuss bus rapid transit systems from other communities with costs ranging from $500,000 to $25 million per mile of track.

IF YOU GO
What: Sarasota County Commission meeting
When: 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29
Where: R.L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice
Click here for a live stream of the event.

What: Sarasota County Commission meeting
When: 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30
Where: Anderson Building, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
Click here for a live stream of the event.