Lyft Partners with HART to Challenge Tampa Residents to Ditch Their Cars!

HART has partnered with Lyft to challenge Tampa residents to ditch their cars!

Ridesharing has already changed the way Americans depend on owning a car and how we get around cities – but now it’s time to take an even bolder step toward creating a new future of mobility. Today, Lyft is announcing Ditch Your Car, a program in Tampa offering residents nearly $500 of transportation credit to give up their cars for 30 days from Oct. 8 to Nov. 6 in favor of getting around town via Lyft rides, Zipcar and the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART).

Starting September 26, Tampa residents will be able to register at ditchwithlyft.com/Tampa for the opportunity to receive credit towards Lyft, HART and Zipcar. Enter by 2:59 a.m. October 1, 2018 to be eligible.

"The way that people move around cities is changing faster than ever, and we are excited to challenge Tampa residents to change their everyday habits and give up their car for a month,” said Sam Cohen, General Manager for Lyft Florida. “Lyft alone is not the overall solution to overcome transportation hurdles, but by partnering with HART and Zipcar we are able to create mobility options for Tampa residents.”

“The Lyft and HART partnership is reflective of the changing mobility landscape and how transit agencies can adopt new technology to enhance the travel experience for Tampa residents throughout the city,” said HART Interim CEO, Jeff Seward. “We are always exploring innovative methods to improve service and transport customers throughout the region more efficiently and effectively.”

“Every day, more and more people ditch their personal cars in Tampa and instead use a range of mobility options to get around from car sharing to ride hailing,” said Smokey West, Zipcar Regional General Manager, Mid-Atlantic/Southeast. “We’re excited to join Lyft in this fun 30-day challenge that’ll encourage even more Tampa residents to go car-free. At Zipcar, we’re big fans of any effort to make it easier to live without a personal car.”

Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up here for a chance to be 1 of 50 lucky winners to participate in Ditch Your Car.
2. Once chosen for the challenge, you’ll receive an email with the details of the program — including transportation credits!
3. Transportation credits include:a.  Lyft credit (valued at $300)
   b.  Zipcar one month membership & application (valued at $32) + $100 drive credit
   c.  One month Flamingo pass including HART bus and TECO Line Streetcar System (valued at $65).
4. The Challenge starts October 8 and ends November 6.

Since day one, Lyft believed cities should be built around people, not cars or parking lots. Using a mix of multi-modal options, it’s possible to rework cities and ditch personal cars. Lyft is committed to being a part of the solution to reduce congestion, carbon footprint and the pain points of personal car ownership in Tamp.

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!

HART HyperLINK Expands to Brandon on December 6th!

Map of HART HyperLINK Brandon zone

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.

HART HyperLINK Launches November 14th!

Public Transit: Direct to Your Door

HART is proud to unveil a new first-in-the-nation service that connects riders to our expansive transit system: HyperLINK. The innovative transit solution will extend the footprint of our network direct to your doorstep, delivering rides to and from local bus stops for passengers in select areas (University and Carrollwood areas, with Brandon launching later). HART HyperLINK launches on Monday, November 14th.

HyperLINK helps you eliminate the hassle of unpredictable commutes, providing shorter mobility trips to bus stops that get you where you want to go. This state-funded pilot program means passengers only pay a low fare for each trip.

Access is the Key

Access to public transportation is always a priority at HART. This new first/last mile solution is fully ADA accessible and is designed as a shared-ride service, which reduces transit’s impact on the environment. Based on research, residents who have more accessibility to public transit will take advantage of it.

We have your first and last mile covered with HART HyperLINK!

The door-to-bus smartphone app (also available through call center) makes booking and catching a ride on HyperLINK as easy as possible. 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.

HART hopes this new feature will make trips more convenient and accessible to residents in select locations. Try HyperLINK on November 14th and share your experience with friends and neighbors.

Expanded Possibilities

• 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.
• We always encourage walkability—it’s a staple of a livable city—but also understand a three-mile walk to start or end the day can feel overwhelming. HyperLINK is a low-cost option to get you and your neighbors to a local bus stop and back home at the end of your day.
• Unpredictable weather is a daily reality. See a sudden thunderstorm threatening that walk to the bus stop? HyperLINK is the answer. Dark clouds moving in while your bus approaches your stop? HyperLINK will get you home.

 Features:

• Shared rides to local bus stops
• Low cost: only $3 each way
• Available for IOS and Android
• Wheelchair accessible
• Pay with cash or credit
• No smartphone? No problem! Book a ride by calling 813-298-0455 

HART and TransDev to Partner on Innovative First Mile, Last Mile Solution

The HART Board voted during the March 7th meeting to partner with TransDev, an international transportation company, on a pilot program aimed at providing a solution for what is known in the industry as the "First Mile, Last Mile Problem".

How does a potential rider get to/from the bus stop when a stop is not within reasonable walking distance to one? "First Mile, Last Mile" is an industry-wide barrier to potential riders trying transit for the first time.

Enter the TransDev First Mile, Last Mile pilot program.

Brandon, Carrollwood and University area are pilot areas

Here are the basics. HART and TransDev have identified 3 initial zones: Brandon, Carrollwood and the University Area/North Tampa. The selected areas are under-served areas with a large population, making it a great opportunity to be more relevant to people's lives and hopefully bring more riders into the HART network. TransDev's service will connect users to HART transit hubs within 3 miles of pickup.

TransDev will operate Minivans with roughly 27% of the vans being ADA-accessible.

Here is how it works.

Riders will be able to book their trip via an Apple IOS/Google Android smartphone app or a traditional call center. The app will act similarly to current rideshare apps such as Uber and Lyft, locating you via your phone's GPS.

Riders will be able to choose the next available van or schedule a pickup via advance booking.

The app will be integrated with trip planner technology, and will be able to determine which bus route riders need to connect with and plan their trip, anywhere in the area. The app will provide the pickup that best ensures the customer arrives at the bus stop before the bus departs.

TransDev's drivers will have pre-employment drug screen, background check, driving record/reference check and training in Customer Service, HART rules, etc. Riders will also be able to rate the driver for enhanced transparency.

The "First Mile, Last Mile" solution pilot will be a flat $3 fee, with HART picking up the remaining $7 cost of the up-to 3-mile trip.

The pilot project is expected to launch in summer 2016. Should the pilot be successful, the goal is to expand this pilot to other HART services.