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!
With 2017 fast approaching, many are looking towards the New Year as a fresh start. However, we at HART are looking to continue building on the successes of the past year.
2016: Year in Review
One frequent theme for HART throughout 2016 was partnerships.
HARTPlus Customer Choice Program
Back in January, we announced a partnership with Yellow Cab of Tampa Bay and FDOT to provide same-day paratransit service for HARTPlus riders. The HARTPlus Customer Choice pilot program provides riders with quick and convenient service that is available 24 hours a days, seven days a week. The taxi voucher program has provided over 30,000 trips since January!
Keep TBB Farmers Market has expanded to UATC!
Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful Farmers Market
With our on-the-go riders in mind, HART partnered with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful by launching a first-of-its-kind Farmers Market at Netp@rk Transfer Center in February. The market allows transit riders and the general public to choose the healthy option, while not having to deviate from their normal routine.
The market will expand to the University Area Transit Center in 2017!
Free WiFi on all HART Buses
With our commitment to enhancing the rider experience, HART partnered with UDP Technology to provide FREE WiFi on all HART buses, with vans and streetcars coming in 2017. Since April, HART riders have been able to use free WiFi on board to stream music, check emails, and more!
ESMS Program Certified ISO 14001
The organization's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship was recognized in June, when the HART Environmental Sustainability and Management System (ESMS) was certified ISO 14001. ISO certification is an international standard in environmental management. HART is one of only 13 transit agencies in the United States, and the only one in Florida to reach ISO 14001 certification.
HART was 1st U.S. transit agency to launch OBA trip planner
OneBusAway Tampa Grows
OneBusAwayTampa, the hit HART real-time app that launched in 2013, became a one-stop shop for travel information in July, with the launch of the OneBusAway Trip Planner. Customers can now plan their trip and see how
close their bus is in real-time, all via the OneBusAway Tampa app! HART is the first U. S. transit agency to launch the dynamic trip
planner feature of OneBusAway and third in the nation to launch
OneBusAway.
The dynamic trip planner will notify you via the app if the end time
of your selected trip has changed by at least 2 minutes, or if your selected
trip plan is no longer recommended.
The service has shattered
expectations with 208 million hits in a 12 month period.
Launch of Flamingo Fares App
Download the app today!
With the launch of the Flamingo Fares app in September, riders on
both sides of the bay can now purchase a single fare for travel between Hillsborough and Pinellas counties! The Flamingo app allows patrons
to book a 3-day unlimited regional pass, valid for 3 consecutive days
for only $11! Fare options in the Flamingo Fares app will be expanding in 2017 to include various travel lengths (1-day, 31-day, etc.).
The Flamingo Fares pilot is all part of a larger project to bring smart card technology to HART! The implementation of smart cards (the cards, readers, etc.) will take place in 2018.
Download the app today!
HART HyperLINK
HART HyperLINK, the nation's first transit-operated rideshare service, launched to much fanfare in November! The innovative service extends the footprint of the HART network direct to your doorstep,
delivering
rides to and from local bus stops for passengers in select areas
(Brandon, Carrollwood, and the University/Lutz). HART HyperLINK operates 30 minutes before/after service begins/end within the zone. The cost of the service is $3 per trip + the cost of HART Local, Express, Flex, etc.
HART partnered with international transportation provider TransDev, to roll out the service.
Service Expansion
The core of HART service is still our buses and vans, and in 2016, we were able to expand service by 325,795 miles! This includes the expansion of In-Towner service to Saturdays and a host of Local route enhancements. HART also continues to make investments in our fleet with a transition to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and vans.
Not a bad year, eh? 2017 looks to be even better as HART takes Hillsborough County transportation Beyond the Bus!
Earlier this month, HART launched HART HyperLINK, the nation's FIRST transit-operated rideshare service, in the University/Lutz and Carrollwood areas. The service connects riders (within a 3-mile zone) to our expansive HART network via the HyperLINK app, or by calling 813-298-0455 to book a trip. HyperLINK trips are $3 one-way, and vehicles are ADA-accessible.
Beginning Tuesday, December 6th, HyperLINK launches in the Brandon area.
HART HyperLINK riders in Brandon will be able to catch a lift to two designated stops within the zone: Westfield Brandon Transfer Center (Routes 8,31,37,46,53LX) and Brandon Regional Hospital (Routes 37 and HARTFlex Brandon).
Live in Seffner or south Brandon and work in downtown Tampa? Catch HART HyperLINK to Westfield Brandon Mall and connect to the route 8 or 46 to downtown!
HyperLINK app is available on Android and iOS
Each $3 ride is payable by cash or credit, so you can pay how you want to pay.
Near the end of your journey, book a ride home and a driver will meet you at
the bus stop.
Tired of
paying for parking at work or tired of finding reliable parking near a bus
stop? HyperLINK eliminates the unknowns. We want to encourage the use of public
transit and eliminate artery-clogging congestion. Find out if HyperLINK can
help you.
The HyperLINK app is available in both Google Play and Apple App Stores.
Give HyperLINK a try. Your first 5 rides are free with promo code hyperlink-5free.
