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| Andrew Smith |
Andrew Smith's other car is a bus, but that wasn't always
the case.
"I grew up in Carrollwood, and I honestly didn't ride
the bus while growing up in Tampa," said Smith during an interview on
board the TECO Line Streetcar System. He described the first transit system he
experienced many years ago in Atlanta while attending college and how he used
it to get everywhere."
Smith, a trim man wearing a white shirt and a navy-blue
suit, jokes about how his friends tease him for always being in a suit, became
a dedicated bus and streetcar rider about two years ago.
Smith started off commuting just because he wanted to try
transit and quickly discovered how much he enjoyed using the alternate mode of
transportation. Smith's ride on HART allows him to answer emails, handle
client's concerns, read, or take in the scenery. He enjoys not worrying about
headaches that come with daily commuter traffic or the wear on his vehicle,
plus the reduced time behind the wheel gives Smith family time later on in the
day.
"I ride it to work a few times a week, that's kind of
where I started, deciding that I was going to ride HART to work one day and now
for me, it's trying to balance the schedule with what you need at the end of
the day. It'll be a few times a week type of thing for me. Transportation looks
different for everyone."
Another aspect of riding HART that Smith enjoys is the
fantastic view of Tampa and the social environment on board a bus. He says you
experience a city much differently through public transit. Being able to enjoy
the view and take it all in makes a difference.
"The view sure is terrific on a HART bus. When you're
out from behind the wheel, you can look out the windows beyond gridlock to see
people, trees, and the beautiful Tampa skyline. The view inside a HART bus is
pretty great too. It's clean and comfortable, with plenty of room to stretch
out and breathe. Even better? It's filled with potential friends, professional
connections, and neighbors.
When he's not answering a work email or talking to a client,
he's getting connected with the community and making new friends. "You get
to meet many people, people that you wouldn't normally have the pleasure of
meeting. When I was going to work, I found that I would learn a little
something about someone and the community they lived in."
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| Andrew also utilizes the TECO Line Streetcar |
The friendly atmosphere on HART buses and the service's
dependability came as a pleasant surprise, he said.
Since he started riding HART, Smith feels more relaxed and
gets to enjoy all Tampa has to offer. He believes it is another opportunity to
promote Tampa, especially to tourist. Every time friends and family are in
town; he makes sure that they take HART and the TECO Line Streetcar to get
around and experience the city. When you take public transit, you become a part
of the city's mission, and he's happy that he's doing his part to reduce carbon
emissions and traffic congestion.
Smith tries to always lead by example, and his advice to his
friends and potential new riders is to give HART and transit a try. Once you
become accustomed to riding public transit, the benefits of riding the bus
become obvious. He hopes that as we continue to expand that public
transportation will act as a catalyst for collaboration between communities.
