HART Operator Named Florida's Best at State Competition

HART is proud to announce that Operator Guarionex Falero-Ramos has secured 1st place overall in the Fixed Route Bus category at the prestigious Florida Triple Crown Roadeo! His exceptional skills also earned him 1st place in the Fixed Route Bus Pre-Inspection competition, highlighting his expertise and precision in bus operations.

Held over the weekend, the Florida Triple Crown Roadeo tested participants on a rigorous driving course, a written exam, and a comprehensive bus pre-inspection. Guarionex’s remarkable performance showcased his dedication, technical knowledge, and commitment to excellence in public transportation.

With this outstanding achievement, Guarionex will now advance to the International Bus Roadeo in Austin, TX, April 4-8, where he will compete against the best U.S. and Canadian bus operators.

HART also congratulates Operator Ticha Starling for her impressive qualification to the State Roadeo for the second consecutive year, further highlighting the high level of skill and professionalism from HART operators.

“We are incredibly proud of Guarionex and Ticha for their hard work and dedication,” said Scott Drainville, HART CEO. “Guarionex’s success at the Florida Triple Crown Roadeo is a testament to his skill and commitment to safety and service. We look forward to cheering him on as he represents Florida on the international stage in Austin!”

HART remains committed to providing exceptional transit service to Hillsborough County by investing in operator training and excellence. Achievements like these underscore the talent and dedication of HART’s workforce.

HART Partners with Transit App for Real-time Travel Information

HART is excited to announce a new customer benefit: free access to Transit Royale, the premium service available in the Transit app!

HART recently transitioned to the Transit App for customer-facing real-time travel information. The agency previously developed OneBusAway Tampa, the agency's longtime real-time information application.

The upgrade provides expanded route maps, full departure schedules, real-time vehicle tracking, and step-by-step trip guidance—all at no cost.

“We’re always looking to improve the customer experience,” said HART CEO Scott Drainville. “By offering Transit Royale for free, we’re giving customers the best tools to plan their trips with confidence and provide immediate feedback on the go.”

Starting immediately, HART riders using the Transit app will receive a notification unlocking premium features, including:

• Full HART route maps and schedules
• Expanded real-time departure info
• The GO feature for trip guidance and customization
• Personalized themes and favorite place markers

Riders can also switch the app’s theme to match HART’s branding for a localized, ad-free experience.

This initiative is part of HART’s ongoing commitment to enhancing GPS tracking, expanding digital tools, and improving service accessibility.

New to Transit App? There is a great online resource to answer all of your Transit App questions!

Download the Transit app today or visit goHART.org to learn more!

Set Sail to Gasparilla 2025 with the TECO Line Streetcar and HART!

Arrgh you ready?! Have your sights set on Gasparilla? Travel safely to the festivities... set sail with HART and the TECO Line Streetcar!

HART will operate additional streetcar and bus services to accommodate the large numbers of anticipated riders on Saturday, January 25th for Gasparilla! Please note: Routes are subject to change due to road closures.

HART is by far the most convenient and affordable way to travel to the Gasparilla parade. The daily fare cap/max on HART is $4.00 and the TECO Line Streetcar is FARE-FREE!

Below are important details to make the trip to the Gasparilla parade easier:

TECO Line Streetcar System

• Streetcar service is FREE.
• Continuous streetcar service from 8:30 a.m.- 2:00 a.m.
• For parking in Ybor City, Station #4 (Cadrecha Plaza Station) is your best bet for the event with Stations #2 and #3 CLOSED until 3 p.m. A FREE bus shuttle will be provided (details below).
• Streetcar stations #5 through #9 will also be closed until 3 p.m.
• Stations #1 and #11 (Hattricks Station) will be closed all day.

HART Bus Service

• For parking in Ybor City, HART will provide FREE bus shuttle service between Station #3 (Streetcar Society Station) and Station #4 (Cadrecha Station) and downtown Tampa (Brorein/Florida Ave.) continuously from 9:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• For parking at the Port Authority Parking Garage, HART will be providing FREE van shuttle service from Florida Aquarium Station to/from Bus Shuttle Stop (S11) at Brorein/Florida Ave. continuously from 9:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Fare-Free Route 1 to Downtown Gasparilla Shuttle Stop at Brorein St./Florida Ave. (Until 3 p.m. see map for route)
• Traveling from outside Ybor City and Downtown? The daily fare cap/max for HART service is $4, which may be purchased in advance at HART retail outlets or onboard buses on Gasparilla Day with contactless debit, credit card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, cash (one-way fare/no change provided) or via the Flamingo Fares card or mobile app. This fare does not cover City of Tampa parking fees.

Click here to view a map of HART bus and streetcar service for Gasparilla.

Getting to Downtown Tampa on HART

• From University Area: Routes 1*, 5*, 6, 9*, 12, 275LX, 400*
• From Temple Terrace: Route 6
• From New Tampa/Wiregrass: Route 275LX
• From Brandon: Routes 8*, 360LX*
• From West Tampa: Route 7*,10*
• From South Tampa: Routes 19*, 360LX*
• From Tampa International: Routes 10*, 30*
  
  
  View HART bus maps and schedules
  HART Trip Planner

*Routes 1,7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 19, 30, 400 and 360LX will be on detour during the festivities.

Ride with Respect!

Ride with Respect

Make sure to party like a responsible pirate and Ride with Respect! No coolers or alcohol are allowed on HART buses and the TECO Line Streetcar System.

Have a fun and safe Gasparilla!

HART and Streetcar Gasparilla Service Map

HART's Route 1 Goes Fare-free for a Year!

HART is excited to announce that its most popular route, Route 1, is now fare-free for one year. The pilot, which launched Sunday, January 5, 2025, is possible thanks to Tampa City Council allocating $1.65 million in city funds to support free fares and increasing peak service frequency to every 15 minutes.

Route 1, which serves nearly 3,000 daily customers, operates between the University area and downtown Tampa, providing vital transportation services to thousands of residents.

Approximately 32,000 residents and 56,000 jobs within a quarter mile of Route 1. Notably, 18% of the population in this area does not own a car, more than a quarter live below the poverty line, 14% have a disability, and 64% are minorities.

“We are thrilled to work with the City of Tampa to provide this essential service to the community, which will not only ease the financial burden on our riders but also increase service on the route, supporting those who rely on HART to access jobs, education, and healthcare,” said HART CEO Scott Drainville. “This initiative represents a meaningful step toward making transit more equitable and accessible for all.”

The initiative also includes an additional $150,000 in paratransit services, ensuring that transportation remains accessible to those with disabilities.

"This is a major win for mass transit in our Tampa community," said HART Chair Councilman Luis Viera. "I thank the Council members who helped us move past the acute gridlock and, in particular, I salute Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak for her leadership. This proposal will make a difference in the lives of everyday working families. I am proud to work with the public servants, both Republican and Democrat, on our HART board. We work together for the families that HART serves and the workers who make HART function.”

Click here for background on the Route 1 Fare-Free Pilot.

HART Awarded $23.4 Million USDOT RAISE Grant

HART Maintenance Conceptual Master Plan

HART is excited to announce an award of $23,356,950 through the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program. The grant is the largest funding award in HART's history and will support Phase 1 of the Maintenance Site Remediation and Facility Modernization Project. Phase 1 of the Maintenance Site Remediation and Facility Modernization Project focuses on redeveloping a heavy maintenance facility site to meet the current and future needs of the HART fleet and operations and advances the agency’s mission to provide safe, efficient, and sustainable public transportation throughout Hillsborough County. Key components of Phase 1 include: Stormwater Remediation: Implementing stormwater management solutions to enhance environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance. Transit Vehicle Service Lane: Constructing a state-of-the-art service lane to improve the efficiency of vehicle maintenance and operations. Security Enhancements: Installing perimeter security fencing to ensure the safety and security of HART assets and personnel. The site remediation and modernization project lays the foundation for a modernized facility capable of supporting a fleet of up to 250 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses. Plans for the site include accommodating low-emission vehicles powered by CNG and/or hydrogen fuel, aligning with HART’s commitment to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. “The RAISE grant funding is crucial and will enable HART to modernize our facilities and enhance operational efficiency, paving the way for a greener, more sustainable transit system,” said HART CEO Scott Drainville. “We thank the Department of Transportation for recognizing the importance of this project and supporting HART’s vision for the future of public transportation in our region.” The RAISE program is a highly competitive grant initiative that supports transportation infrastructure projects with significant local and regional impacts. Over 200 projects of merit competed for this funding, with a total cost of all projects at over $2.3 billion. The grant award underscores the importance of investing in transit infrastructure to drive economic growth, enhance mobility, and improve resident's quality of life. “Hillsborough commuters deserve modern, clean transit to get them where they need to go on time. Now, thanks to the historic federal Infrastructure Law, HART can modernize its operations with a $23,256,950 grant for clean buses and vehicles that are low-cost, low-maintenance, and better for our health. The HART fleet will be serviced at a new and improved resilient service center to benefit everyone in Tampa and Hillsborough County. I’m thrilled that federal infrastructure investments and RAISE Grants are saving local taxpayers money at a time they need it.”