Fee or Free? HART Invites Public Feedback on TECO Line Streetcar Fare Reinstatement

With the funding grant for fare-free service coming to an end, HART - as operator of the TECO Line Streetcar - may need to reinstate fares by January 5, 2025. This discussion comes after the expiration of several Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) grants and partnerships, like the City of Tampa, Tampa Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs), and the Tampa Downtown Partnership, that previously covered customer fares.

The five-year FDOT streetcar service agreement of $2.3 million annually expired in 2023. FDOT had agreed to provide an additional 12 months of funding through 2024, totaling $700,000, with a matching contribution from the City of Tampa. This funding is critical to maintaining and improving the streetcar service, a vital component of our public transportation network.

Take our quick survey to submit your feedback.

¿Tarifa o Gratis? Complete nuestra encuesta para enviar sus comentarios sobre un posible cambio de tarifa del tranvía

HART will hold a Public Hearing on the Streetcar Fare Changes: 

• Date: Thursday, November 7, 2024 
• Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 
• Location: HART Ybor Administrative Offices (1201 E. 7th Avenue, 3rd Floor, Tampa, FL 33605) 
• Virtual Option: The public can listen to and view the meeting live via HART’s official YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/harttransit 
• All public comments and survey responses will be afforded equal consideration regardless of the format they are provided.

HART staff will also be at various TECO Line Streetcar Stations to answer questions from Thursday, October 31 to Thursday, November 7. 

Take the survey and view the upcoming outreach schedule at www.tecolinestreetcar.org/fares.

Ride HART Fare-Free on Election Day with Voter Information Card!

Ride HART fare-free on Election Day with your Voter Information Card!

HART is announcing free rides to Hillsborough County polling locations on Election Day. Voters can ride fare-free on all HART services by showing their valid Voter Information Card on November 5, 2024.

Customers are encouraged to prepare for their trip by identifying their polling location, and the specific routes necessary for travel before starting their trip. Customers can use the HART trip planner to map out their route in advance. 

Please check your voting status by visiting the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections website. 

Exercise your right to vote with a free ride on HART. Your voice is important!

HART Service is Temporarily Fare Free to Support Milton Recovery - EXTENDED Through Oct. 28!

UPDATE (10.21.2024) - Fare-free service has been EXTENDED through Monday, October 28, 2024.

HART is pleased to announce that effective immediately, HART Bus, HARTPlus, and HARTFlex will operate fare-free until October 21st, 2024.

This initiative aims to provide transportation services to our community during the ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Milton.

The decision to implement fare-free service is driven by three critical factors:

1. Emergency Transportation: Residents traveling to Emergency Comfort Stations established by the County will also benefit from free transit, enabling access to vital services during this challenging time.
2. Aid for Displaced Residents: Fare-free transit will help displaced residents, ensuring they have the means to move around safely.
3. Support for Students: All school students will have access to fare-free bus trips, ensuring they can attend school without the burden of transportation costs.

With ongoing detours and route adjustments due to hurricane damage, our bus operators are facing increased challenges. Implementing a fare-free policy will simplify operations and allow our drivers to focus on safely transporting all customers, whether they are traveling for education or in need of emergency assistance.

Offering free transit during this extended Hillsborough County State of Emergency is a crucial step in supporting our community. By eliminating transportation costs, HART’s goal is to relieve financial pressure on families and ensure that students can continue their education while providing residents with access to emergency services without additional burden.

HART is committed to serving our community and encourages all residents to take advantage of this fare-free service during these critical recovery efforts.

For more information about routes and schedules, please visit www.goHART.org or contact HART Customer Service at (813) 254-4278.