Dump the Pump with HART!

Save $ and the planet by "Dumping the Pump" Thursday!

HART is joining public transportation agencies across the country by participating in the 12th Annual "National Dump the Pump Day" on Thursday, June 15, 2017.

We know HART riders make a commitment to "Dump the Pump" each weekday by taking transit. With over 45,000 daily trips, they know riding HART is a more productive commute, that also reduces air pollution and saves money on gas.

HART wants to see how you "Dump the Pump" during your commute.

HART is inviting passengers to show their support of public transit by taking a picture of themselves whether it is riding the bus, carpooling, walking, biking or even telecommuting! Upload a photo of yourself showing how you "Dump the Pump" to social media with the hashtag #DumpThePump.

Taking transit saves money on gas, wear and tear on a vehicle, relieves traffic congestion, creates cleaner air, and gives you extra time to text, or just relax.

Help spread the word about the many benefits of riding public transportation!

Over 45k trips taken on HART daily!

Quick Facts

Public Transportation provides economic opportunities, drives community growth and revitalization.

• Over 65 percent of the trips taken on public transit are work commutes.
• Every $1 billion invested in public transportation supports and creates more than 50,000 jobs.
• Residential property values performed 42% better on average if they were located near public transportation with high-frequency service.
  

Saving Fuel, Time and Money

Riding public transportation is an economical way to save money. The latest APTA Transit Savings Report shows that a two person household that downsizes to one car can save - on the average - more than $9,377 a year. Access to the HART transit network, provides transportation to work, school, and travel to medical and other appointments.

Environmental Benefits

Public transportation systems help to create a healthier environment by reducing pollutants and greenhouses gases. Research from APTA shows that public transportation reduces carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons, and saves the equivalent of 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline in the United States annually. Locally, HART provided more than 14,550,000 trips in FY 2016.

Health Benefits

• Transit users are 3x more likely to reach their recommended level of activity, simply by walking to and from the bus stop.
• Using public transportation helps reduce the stress of driving, while also allowing users to socialize (on board, and with friends at events), read books, etc.

#DumpThePump today and everyday! Visit www.goHART.org for trip planning, schedules, and more.

HART taking System Redesign to the Community

HART is now in the midst of redesigning its transit system in time for FY2018 in October.

Recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach to transit does not meet every community's needs, HART began working with Hillsborough County residents last year to identify transportation options that are more cost effective and better meet their needs.

Employment centers and commuting patterns have changed quite a bit since the last time a Comprehensive Operations Analysis of HART service was done in 2003. This service redesign takes that into account with new proposed connections, such as Brandon and the University area to WestShore and Tampa International Airport.

In the first phase, we collected community feedback on travel preferences and with this next phase, we are taking the result of those conversations (a redesigned network) to the public.

In the short-term, the service redesign will provide better travel times and more direct service to roughly 80% of current riders.

Long-term, HART is preparing for the future. The proposed network hits the "reset button" on HART service, providing a solid foundation for the future expansion of the HART network, as laid out in our 10-year Transit Development Plan. The proposed redesign provides the right mix of services and connections to get people where they need to go as our communities grow.

Plenty of opportunities to comment on the proposed redesign!

HART is Seeking Input 

HART will be hosting a series of public meetings beginning June 14 for residents and riders to give feedback on the proposed network redesign. HART staff will be on hand to gather feedback and answer any questions. A public hearing will be held on July 26.

Following extensive community outreach throughout June and July, HART staff will present the plan to the HART Board of Directors at the August meeting.

Your ideas are encouraged at any of the following public meeting opportunities.

In addition, you can visit www.goHART.org/TDP for more information on this important plan, including an interactive map of the proposed network redesign.

Be Prepared this Hurricane Season!

HART provides Emergency Evacuation Service

With the Atlantic hurricane season officially beginning on June 1st, it's a great reminder of the importance of having a severe weather plan BEFORE a storm hits. Unlike earthquakes or tornadoes, which can happen in an instant, hurricanes tend to give a lot of warning.

HART buses run special evacuation routes for people who need transportation to shelters. HART and the Hillsborough County Office of Emergency Management urge you to make arrangements now for the safety of your family, should a storm force you from your home. Emergency routes are designed to simply move people from low ground to higher ground.

HART Emergency Evacuation service is not limited to hurricane evacuation however. The Office of Emergency Management can call on HART as an official evacuation partner of Hillsborough County to implement service in any emergency evacuation situation in which it is safe to carry out service. 

Know your plan

Map of Hillsborough County Evacuation Routes

For the safety of our riders and employees, normal HART service will cease if sustained winds reach 39 mph.

HART service will also cease if the Office of Emergency Management instructs HART to begin operation of Emergency Evacuation service, after shelters have opened. Our emergency routes are designed simply to move people from low-lying areas to higher ground. Because of this, if a major storm threatens our area, you should plan for the possibility of service interruptions.

To minimize inconvenience to our customers, we will announce the need to interrupt service as early in the day as possible, and will work to restore service just as soon as it is safe to do so.

The main thing for you is to be prepared and have a plan. Don't wait until the last minute to make arrangements or you may find yourself stranded.

For more detailed information on the service and service plans in case of emergency, please click here.

Take the Streetcar to Memorial Day Weekend Events!

The Streetcar will operate late night all weekend!

Memorial Day weekend is upon us!

Typically seen as a day for cranking up the grill with family, Memorial Day has become an extended weekend full of events!

From Fourth Friday Tampa, to a Memorial Day celebration at Channelside Bay Plaza, downtown is chocked full of fun this weekend!

The fun kicks off on Friday with the monthly Fourth Friday Tampa. The event is a monthly celebration of Downtown Tampa's culture. The night features special offers and curated programs by museums, restaurants, and more!

Beginning this Friday, the TECO Line Streetcar System is joining in on the fun with free rides! The addition of the TECO Line Streetcar to the event opens up Ybor City venues to Fourth Friday Tampa for the first time.

Saturday celebrates a Memorial Day favorite, the margarita. The Tampa Bay Margarita Festival in Curtis Hixon Park calls for a huge variety of the famed beverage, a fireworks display, and a headline performance from the Barenaked Ladies! Have fun, but enjoy responsibly. TECO Line Streetcar service will be available from 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 a.m.

Sunday provides a number of ways to celebrate the holiday.

Streetcar service extended until MIDNIGHT on Sunday!

Enjoy Memorial Day weekend at Channelside Bay Plaza! The free event features an eclectic mix of food and beverage on the waterfront in downtown Tampa. Live music from the Jimmy James Band kicks off Sunday at 6:00 p.m.

Next door, titans of Country music, Alabama, will be rocking the house at Amalie Arena.

As we do with all weeknight Amalie Arena events, the TECO Line Streetcar System is extending service hours until MIDNIGHT on Sunday.

Avoid all of the event traffic in the Channel District and Downtown this weekend, by parking in Ybor City and taking the TECO Line Streetcar!

The TECO Line Streetcar System will operate on a normal schedule on Monday for Memorial Day.

Have a safe and fun holiday weekend!

Ride the TECO Line Streetcar System FREE for Fourth Friday!

The TECO Line Streetcar System has joined in on the Fourth Friday Tampa fun! Streetcar riders with Fourth Friday Tampa wristbands can ride FREE all night during the event!

Simply show the streetcar motorperson your event wristband and you are good to go!

The addition of the TECO Line Streetcar System to the Fourth Friday Tampa discount lineup is noteworthy, because it provides a valuable connection to Ybor City. The multi-venue event now features all three of the districts that the Streetcar serves!

Fourth Friday Tampa is a monthly celebration (the fourth Friday of each month) of Downtown Tampa and Ybor City's culture! The night features special offers and curated programs by museums, restaurants, and more!

Visit the Fourth Friday Tampa website for a full list of special offers.

Enjoy the all that Downtown Tampa and Ybor City has to offer, and only park once!

Flamingo Fares is Taking Flight!

Smart card readers are installed on HART buses

The Now

By now, you have probably heard of the Flamingo Fares Tampa Bay app. For those that are unfamiliar, the app allows riders in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties to pay their transit fare via smartphone and (with a Regional Fare) travel on multiple services between HART and PSTA. Ultimately, Flamingo Fares will morph into a smart card system.

It appears that the holidays have come early to HART, as we will be the first agency in the region to install the smart card readers. Installation is currently underway and is expected to be completed in June.

Installation will then bounce back-and-forth between HART and PSTA, culminating in August, with the entire TECO Line Streetcar System being outfitted with the Flamingo Fares smart card readers.

The Near

A new iteration of the Flamingo Fares app will be available in September. Meanwhile, testing of the smart card readers will be taking place on board HART buses (and later streetcars) around the same time.

This is where YOU come in! We will be reaching out to our riders to help test the smart card system! Stay tuned to the HART social channels for more information as we get closer to that time.

Why are the readers going up so soon if we are not expecting to roll them out until Summer 2018? We are planning on testing the system for a year to ensure that the system is ready for customers on both sides of the Bay!

The Future

Flamingo Fares smart card design

Soon Flamingo Fares will bring HART and PSTA into the future by providing easier, faster, and more convenient ways for riders to pay their fares.

No scrambling for change. Save time and prepay your fare online, while you wait for the bus!

No stressing about losing your 31-day pass. Check your balance online daily!

Leave the worries behind. Just tap and go!

Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota Counties are also implementing the new technology in the coming years. HART and PSTA expect to have the complete system, which will include smart card technology, up and running by summer 2018.

From Flamingo Fares to autonomous vehicles, this is another way HART is going Beyond The Bus!

Summer is in Session: The Summer Blast Pass is Back!

Unlimited rides from May 22 - August 31

It's time to blast into summer with the HART Summer Blast Pass! For just $30, ages 5-18 receive over 3 months of unlimited rides on HART services. 

That's less than $2.25 a week!

The Summer Blast Pass is the perfect way for teens to get to summer jobs, the movies, the mall and all of their favorite places.

The pass is now on sale, and may be used on any HART service, excluding Express, HARTPlus, and The TECO Line Streetcar System from May 22 - Aug. 31. Riders 12 and younger must have an adult traveling with them. Proof of age is required at the time of purchase.

Summer Blast Passes are available for purchase at any of the following four HART locations:

• Downtown Tampa: HART at City Hall, 306 E. Jackson St.
• Downtown Tampa: Marion Transit Center, 1211 N. Marion St.
• University Area: University Area Transit Center, 13110 N. 27th St. 
• Ybor City: HART Administrative Offices, 1201 E. 7th Ave.

The Summer Blast Pass is your all-access adventure pass, and provides youth with a way to be green, learn independence, and save money. The purpose of the program is to familiarize ages 18 and under with public transportation, which allows them to travel safely and independently throughout Hillsborough County.

Click here to view the HART Summer Blast Pass flyer.

Visit www.goHART.org for HART fares, maps, and schedules!