Be Fare Ready: Route 1 Fares Return January 5, 2026

After a year of record-breaking ridership and improved mobility, the City of Tampa-funded Route 1 Fare-Free Pilot is coming to an end. Beginning January 5, 2026, fares will return on Route 1 — but the service improvements riders love will stick around (and expand to evenings and weekends).

A Pilot That Delivered Real Results

The Route 1 Fare-Free Pilot has been a massive success. As of December 2025, year-to-date ridership on Route 1 increased 45%, reaching 1,459,366 trips — over 445,000 more rides than the previous year. Average weekday ridership now exceeds 5,000 riders, and faster boarding helped improve on-time performance by 7%.

On an average weekday, Route 1 now carries more than 5,300 riders, far surpassing ridership seen on comparable previously fare-free services in the region. Faster boarding without fares also helped improve on-time performance by 6.2%, keeping buses moving efficiently through one of Tampa’s most active corridors.

Perhaps most importantly, Route 1 riders depend on the service:

• Nearly 70% ride three or more days per week

• Most trips support work, shopping, and healthcare

• 81% of riders say they will continue riding once fares return

• 63% connect to other routes, where they benefit from Flamingo Fares fare capping

Service Improvements Are Here to Stay

While the fare-free portion of the pilot is coming to an end, enhanced service will remain — and expand. Based on rider feedback and stakeholder input, City of Tampa funding was prioritized to maintain and grow service frequency rather than extend free fares.

What riders can expect starting January 5, 2026:

• Every 15 minutes on weekdays

• Expanded evening service

• Every 20 minutes on weekends

That means quicker trips, better reliability, and easier connections — every day of the week.

How to Pay When Fares Return

HART encourages riders to sign up for Flamingo Fares, the easiest and most affordable way to pay.

With fare capping, Flamingo Fares ensures you always pay the lowest possible price, whether you ride once a day or multiple times a week.

Ways to pay on Route 1:

• Flamingo Fares app or Flamingo smart card

• Contactless credit or debit card

• Apple Pay, Google Pay, or other digital wallets

• Cash (exact change only) for a one-way fare

Simply tap your phone, card, or payment method when boarding.

More Than a Bus Route

The Route 1 Fare-Free Pilot did more than boost ridership — it expanded access and introduced transit to new riders. With seamless connections to the also fare-free TECO Line Streetcar, riders enjoyed a frequent, no-cost link from USF to Ybor City.

The pilot also sparked community activity, with new riders organizing group trips to restaurants, retail, entertainment, and even walking tours — proof that reliable transit fuels economic activity and neighborhood connection.

HART is grateful to the City of Tampa for initiating and funding this pilot. What began as a one-year experiment has grown into a continuing partnership focused on delivering the greatest benefit to the most riders.

Have Questions?

HART Customer Service is here to help:

• Call 813-254-4278 or visit us in person at the Marion Transit Center or University Area Transit Center

• Learn more at goHART.org

• Follow HART on social media for updates

Be Fare Ready on January 5, 2026!

HART Seeks Public Input on Route 1 Fare-Free Pilot

HART is inviting customers to participate in a new survey to help gather feedback on the City of Tampa-funded Route 1 Fare-free Pilot. The customer survey is open through Sunday, June 15, 2025.

The survey will gather critical community input on the fare-free Route 1 pilot and overall transit needs.

The Route 1 Fare-free pilot was launched in January 2025 to explore the benefits of fare-free service on one of Tampa’s key transit corridors. The pilot removed the fare on Route 1 and increased frequency on Route 1 from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes during peak hours. The Pilot is scheduled to end in January 2026.

Community members who ride Route 1 are encouraged to participate and help inform long-term planning, including service expansion and evaluating the success and future of fare-free options like the Route 1 Pilot.

The survey is quick to complete and available in English and Spanish.

Survey Links:

• English: Route 1 Rider Survey
• Spanish: Encuesta para pasajeros de la Ruta 1

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.