HART sees another record month in June!

The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority set yet another ridership record last month as early estimates indicate that the agency provided more than 1,194,379 trips in June. That's an increase of nearly 7 percent over June 2013.

The increase continues to be evident in our daily ridership; June 3 saw the greatest daily ridership throughout the month with 54,590 riders choosing HART! June continued the agency's trend of increasing ridership despite a difference in the balance of days within the month.

HART leaders say the continued gains in ridership are proof that Hillsborough County residents and visitors are eager to use public transit. "When more people use public transportation, everyone benefits," explained HART Interim Chief Executive Officer Katharine Eagan. "It's good for the environment, because there a fewer cars on the road. We're working hard to expand our rail service as much as possible within the budget we have available." 

Fast facts: 

• MetroRapid ridership was 50,796, or 2,419 per day
• Year-to-date (October 2013 - June 2014), bus ridership is up 1.6 percent; an increase of 179,908 trips, compared to the same period last year   
• Bus ridership for fiscal year 2014 is on its way to surpassing 14.6 million from last year. HART is on track for exceeding its annual target for ridership with approximately 14.9 million riders this year, which would be the 5th straight annual ridership record for HART

The price of the HART Summer Blast Pass has been slashed to $15! Kids ages 5 - 17 can use it for unlimited rides on HART through Aug. 31.

Don't know how to get started? Our online  Transit Map Trip Planner will plan out the route for you and tell you what bus to take to your destination.   

Thanks to the HART OneBusAway Tampa app, riders can easily find out when the next bus will arrive at their stop. The FREE application is available on a number of devices and platforms (Desktop computer, tablets, smartphones, Android, iPhone and mobile phones with browsers), which means less waiting at the stop and more time enjoying other things.

For all-things HART, including OneBusAway, trip planning, schedules, maps and fares, just visit www.goHART.org.  

Take the Streetcar to July 4th Fireworks!

Celebrations of this sacrifice for freedom will take place across America on Friday, July 4. Locally, Channelside Bay Plaza is hosting the 13th Annual 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. The TECO Line Streetcar System is a proud sponsor of the event taking place in the waters near Channelside Bay Plaza. 

The fireworks display begins at 9:15 p.m. on Friday, with live music starting earlier in the day. The event draws a HUGE crowd, so it is suggested that visitors arrive a couple hours early in order to get a good viewing spot. Only the first 3,500 people will be able to see the fireworks from the Wharf area of Channelside, with wristbands being handed out.

Channelside Bay Plaza is located at the Tampa Tribune Station

Officials suggest taking the TECO Line Streetcar System to avoid the congestion and parking hassle that Channelside will face with thousands converging on the area.

Don't worry about getting stranded! The TECO Line Streetcar System has service until 1:30 a.m. for Independence Day to ensure you get to your car safely!

Suggested parking garages are the Palm Avenue garage in Ybor City or the Ft. Brooke garage in downtown, both garages are less than a block from the TECO Line Streetcar System.  Click here for an interactive map of downtown/Ybor City showing the location of the parking garages to the streetcar line.

HART Bus and Van service will be operating on a Sunday schedule in observance of Independence Day.

For more information on the Channelside Fireworks Spectacular, visit www.channelsidebayplaza.com.
   

Visit www.tecolinestreetcar.org for TECO Line Streetcar System fares, maps and schedules.