HART HyperLINK is Changing!

HART HyperLINK is changing on October 8th!

Changes are coming to HART HyperLINK on October 8th!

Quick refresher. HART HyperLINK started as a pilot program with TransDev, an international transportation operator, in November 2016. Heralded as the nation's 1st "transit-operated rideshare" service, HyperLINK extends the footprint of HART and provides a valuable "First Mile, Last Mile" connection to riders within HyperLINK zones.

HART HyperLINK blurs the line between rideshare and transit, in that customers dial up a ride on the HyperLINK app (via GPS) much like Uber and Lyft. HyperLINK riders also have the added bonus of being able to book a ride by calling 813-298-0455.Another bonus is that HyperLINK is also ADA-accessible, unlike Uber and Lyft.

Currently, HyperLINK connects you to the HART network via designated stops (University Area Transit Center, Westfield Brandon Transfer Center, etc.) for a flat $3.00 fee within the zone. On October 8th, HyperLINK will also add the option of direct trips (see below).

Being a pilot program, we have continuously reviewed rider feedback and are now ready to implement a few changes to the service.

Temple Terrace will now be served by HyperLINK!

The following changes are coming to HyperLINK on October 8th:

• Carrollwood will no longer be served by HyperLINK, due to low usage.
• Temple Terrace will now be served by HART HyperLINK. Designated stops include: University Area Transit Center, Temple Terrace City Hall, and others.
• The HyperLINK fare is changing for all zones. Riders taking HART HyperLINK to designated stops will now only pay $1.00 each way. Those taking HyperLINK to/from ANY point (not connecting to transit) within the zone, will only pay $3.00.

The Brandon and University area HyperLINK zones will not change. However, fares for both zones will reflect the new pricing of $1.00 each way to a designated HART stop; $3.00 each way to ANY point (not a designated stop) within the zone.

The future of transportation just got even better! Download the HART HyperLINK app today!

Mission MAX Bus Stop Bagging: What it Means

Orange bags will inform patrons of service changes to their stop

The HART system will drastically change in less than two weeks!

HART staff Mission MAX training is almost complete, operators have selected their runs, maps and other signage has been finalized, and now bus stop removal and replacement is taking place!

Have you seen an orange bag over your bus stop sign?

This means service will be changing at that location.

Routes serving the stop may be changing, such as that in the photo. Or, HART service may be in the process of being removed from that stop altogether.

All stops with route changes/replacements will have the orange bags removed in the early morning hours of October 8th. Deleted stops will have orange bags on them until the stop is completely removed.

We want to give a quick shout out to our Route Maintenance team! With the majority of the 3500 stops in the HART system affected, they are working tirelessly to make sure our riders are notified well in advance of the launch of Mission MAX on October 8th.

We recently went LIVE on Facebook with a couple members of the Maintenance team to talk more about the bus stops changes.

While the launch of Mission MAX is fast approaching, HART is here to make sure you are prepared with trip planning, finding your stop, and more! Find us on Facebook and Twitter, or contact HART Customer Service at 813-254-4278.

We will also be hosting a Facebook Live Q&A with HART CEO Katharine Eagan on next Monday, October 2nd, at noon.

Visit www.goHART.org/MissionMAX for more information on Mission MAX, including maps, schedules, etc.

What is Mission MAX?

Mission MAX launches October 8, 2017!

Beginning Sunday, October 8, 2017, HART will implement a comprehensive schedule change - Mission MAX.

Through Mission MAX, we are Modernizing the system to deliver more efficient service and higher frequencies on high-demand routes. We are Aligning routes to provide shorter trip times and better connections.  And we strive for eXcellence by designing a network that lays a strong foundation for future expansion.

This redesign of the bus system includes route and schedule modifications based on an extensive period of research, operational considerations, and public input.

How does Mission MAX Modernize the HART network?

The last time HART conducted a system redesign was back in 2003. Hillsborough County and commuting habits have changed quite a bit since then. That's why Mission MAX provides new connections such as all-day service between Brandon (FY18), and the University of South Florida (FY19), to Downtown and Tampa International Airport.

Mission MAX transitions HART to more of a "grid" network, focusing less on transfer centers, and more on direct, at-stop connections. This may mean the rider having to transfer more, however, with routes coming more frequently and schedules better entwined, riders should see overall quicker trips. The final plan means roughly 85% of customers will see service improve!

Mission MAX Aligns routes to operate in a way that makes more sense. No more long, winding, routes, with buses traveling out of direction, or off of main roads. This system redesign is backed by route data analysis, including stop-by-stop ridership data, to maximize HART efficiency.

Mission MAX provides a great foundation for future expansion

Long term, the most important aspect of Mission MAX is that it provides a service network that is sustainable for HART, but also provides a great foundation for expansion in our 10-year Transit Development Plan. Based on current funding projections, we plan to roll out 10 routes operating at 15 minute frequency, or better within roughly 5-6 years. Five of those routes would operate north-south, and five operating east-west.

We are also looking at expanded weekend service on a number of routes, adding and restoring routes, and expanding HART HyperLINK zones, for better connections throughout Hillsborough County.

Mission MAX is just one piece of a plan toward eXcellence, as HART continues to grow and evolve over the next 10 years.

Still have questions about Mission MAX? You can visit the Mission MAX FAQ, or interact with HART on Facebook and Twitter!

HART CEO Katharine Eagan recently went LIVE on Facebook from HART Dispatch to talk Mission MAX!

Route of the Week: Route 31

Route 31 operates between Brandon and SouthShore

With a diverse service area roughly the size of Rhode Island, Hillsborough County provides a great mix of urban, suburban and rural destinations for our riders. Think about the destinations that you can see and experience with the HART transportation network!

We're taking Route of the Week to South County this week. Route 31 is our Route of the Week!

Route 31 operates between the Westfield Brandon Transfer Center to the Gibsonton/Apollo Beach area. Service operates weekdays from 5:10 a.m. - 7:05 p.m.

Route 31 is one of our longest routes, connecting South County to Brandon and the rest of the HART system.

Brandon Destinations:

• Westfield Brandon - (Connection to Routes 8,31,37,46,53LX, HARTFlex Brandon)
• Bonefish Grill
• HomeGoods
• Buffalo Wild Wings
• Orangetheory Fitness
• Fitness for $10
• Anytime Fitness
• Square One Brandon

Winthrop is home to a number of restaurants and retail

Riverview/Gibsonton Destinations:

• Winthrop Town Centre (EATS! American Grill, Cappy's Pizza, Acropolis Green Taverna, Starbucks, Ciccio's Cali, Menchie's Frozen Yogurt)
• Florida Urban Organics
• Riverview Fresh Market
• Riverview Recreation Center
• HART Riverview Oaks Park-n-Ride - (Connection to 24X,27LX,53LX)
• Trust Me BBQ
• Gardenville Recreation Center

Apollo Beach Destinations:

• Massimos Pizza, Subs, and Salads
• Kimi's Ice Cream & Sweets
• Apollo Beach Park-n-Ride - (Connection to 31, 47LX)
• Four Stacks Brewing Company

HCC Students can purchase a special HART Semester Pass!

Ruskin/SouthShore Destinations:

• Amazon Warehouse - Route 31 was extended to the Amazon warehouse in Dec. 2014
• HCC SouthShore Campus
• Lennard High School
• Ybor Grille
• Joyce Ely Health Center
• SouthShore Corporate Park
• SouthShore Regional Service Center

From Amazon, to Anytime Fitness, HART Takes You There.

Route of the Week: HARTFlex Brandon

With a diverse service area roughly the size of Rhode Island, Hillsborough County provides a great mix of urban, suburban and rural destinations for our riders. Think about the destinations that you can see and experience with the HART transportation network!

This week, we feature our first HARTFlex route - HARTFlex Brandon!

First, let's take a look at how HARTFlex service differs from traditional fixed-route service.

HARTFlex offers walk-up or reservation service

Like fixed-route service, HARTFlex operates along a designated route (as indicated by the dark blue line with arrows in the map below). Walk-up service is available by waiting at designated HARTFlex stops along the route.

However, unlike fixed-route service, HARTFlex also provides the option of "flexing" from the route within the outlined zone. Patrons wanting to be picked up or dropped off outside the designated route, can make an advanced reservation. HARTFlex reservations may be made by calling 813-254-4278 anywhere from 2 hours, to 3 days in advance of your trip. Fares are $1.00 per trip, or $2.00 for an all-day HARTFlex pass.

HARTFlex Brandon operates Monday - Saturday, with the first weekday trip leaving Westfield Brandon Mall at 6:00 a.m. and last trip at 7:00 p.m. First trip on Saturday leaves Westfield Brandon Mall at 8:00 a.m. and last trip at 8:00 p.m.

Leaving Westfield Brandon Mall, HARTFlex operates along Providence Rd. to Lakewood Dr., where riders can grab a signature Italian beef sandwich at the recently opened famous Chicago eatery, Portillo's.

The route makes a right onto Moon Ave. serving Brandon Regional Hospital workers, or those with non-emergencies. Brandon Regional Library and Clayton Park visitors can board at the HARTFlex stop at Vonderburg Dr. and Bowing Oak Dr.

O'Briens Irish Pub, and the J.C. Handly Sports Complex, are primary destinations as HARTFlex Brandon heads south along Kings Ave. O'Briens being a Brandon hotspot, while J.C. Handly is a HART Park-n-Ride, providing connection to routes 25X or 27LX.

The Stein & Vine has a neighborhood feel!

Turning right onto Bloomingdale Ave., patrons can check out one of Brandon's hidden gems, The Stein & Vine. Unassuming on the outside, the restaurant has a menu that changes daily, and an atmosphere that can't be beat!

Further along Bloomingdale Ave., HARTFlex patrons have a number of options at Winthrop Town Centre. Built as a marketplace destination for suburbanites, the retail center has a number of restaurant options from Moe's Southwest Grill and Acropolis Taverna, to farm-to-table concept Boca Kitchen Bar and Market.

HARTFlex Brandon loops back around to Providence Rd., with a number of apartments, single family homes, and townhouses within reach of Flex.

From Portillo's, to Park-n-Rides, HART Takes You There.

Route of the Week: Route 37

With a diverse service area roughly the size of Rhode Island, Hillsborough County provides a great mix of urban, suburban and rural destinations for our riders. Think about the destinations that you can see and experience with the HART transportation network!

Route 37 gets to shine this week!

The Route 37 is an east-west route operating from netp@rk Transfer Center (Connection with routes 6,15,32,34,37,39,41,57) to Westfield Brandon Mall (Connection with routes 8,31,37,46,53LX, HARTFlex Brandon)/Brandon Regional Hospital. The route operates 7 days a week with Weekday service from 5:05 a.m. - 9:45 p.m. and Weekend service from 6:05 a.m. - 7:10 p.m.

Heading east from netp@rk Transfer Center, Route 37 serves Grant Park, which houses a Community Center, playground and baseball diamond. In the summer, The Grant Park Activity Center has a full program of summer fun, as a City of Tampa Day Camp.

Love competition? Race go-karts, regardless of the weather, at Tampa Bay Grand Prix, Tampa's only indoor go kart racing facility. Just a short walk from the Route 37.

HCC students receive discounts on HART!

Heading south along Falkenburg Rd., the Brandon campus of Hillsborough Community College may be of interest to students in the area. HCC students receive two discounts when riding HART. A 31-day pass is only $48.75 (a discount of 25% over retail) and recently, HART launched the HCC Semester Pass. The pass provides HCC students with roughly 4 months of rides for roughly the price of two. The Semester Pass is $110 and available at all HCC Bookstores.

Movie buffs will happy to know that AMC The Regency 20 is accessible via a Route 37 stop directly in front of the theater complex.

Route 37 serves a number of Brandon destinations!

Eastbound on Brandon Blvd., the Route 37 caters to Brandon Regional Hospital employees with a stop at Oakfield Dr. and S. Parsons Ave. During the week, the frequency on the Route 37 is roughly 30 minutes and splits trips at Providence Rd., with every other trip serving Brandon Regional Hospital. Weekday trips not serving the hospital, operate along Providence Rd. Brandon High School, Hillsborough County Service Center and the Brandon Post Office are also accessible via this leg of the trip.

After the roughly 9-mile journey, the Route 37 ends at Westfield Brandon Mall, with over 150+ stores and restaurants, as well as, connection to 5 different HART routes.

From summer camp, to morning shifts, HART Takes You There.