HART Welcomes Ronrico “Rico” Smith to the Board of Directors

HART is pleased to announce the appointment of Ronrico “Rico” Smith to the HART Board of Directors, representing Hillsborough County.

A third-generation Tampa native, Rico brings deep community roots and a steadfast commitment to public service. With several years of successful experience in sales and product management, he has effectively advocated on behalf of medical device companies before federal, defense, and state officials on critical healthcare issues. His professional background reflects a strong understanding of policy, strategy, and stakeholder engagement—skills that will serve HART and the community well.

Rico also brings valuable board-level leadership experience in both government and healthcare. He currently serves on the Corporate Board for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Tampa Bay and previously served as Board Treasurer for the Hillsborough County Hospital Authority. During his tenure, he played a key role in overseeing land use at Tampa General Hospital and approving a transformative $550 million capital improvement plan—demonstrating his ability to guide complex initiatives with long-term community impact.

Committed to service beyond the boardroom, Rico enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserves in 2016 and was commissioned in 2022 as a Finance Officer. In this role, he assists with formulating program policy, allocating manpower resources, and managing budgeting efforts for Total Force Integration. He earned his associate’s degree from the Community College of the Air Force and his bachelor’s degree from Trident University.

Rico remains actively involved in the community, volunteering with local veterans’ organizations and serving on the Congressional Veterans’ Advisory Committee for Congressman Gus Bilirakis. He also mentors junior investors in real estate and retirement planning. In his free time, he enjoys golfing and traveling with his family and friends.

HART looks forward to Rico’s leadership and perspective as the agency continues advancing safe, reliable, and innovative public transportation solutions for the residents of Hillsborough County.

Please join us in welcoming Ronrico “Rico” Smith to the HART Board of Directors.

Set Sail to Gasparilla 2026 with TECO Line Streetcar and HART!

Arrgh, you ready?! Have your sights set on Gasparilla? Travel safely to the festivities... set sail with HART and the TECO Line Streetcar!

HART will operate additional streetcar and bus services to accommodate the large numbers of anticipated riders on January 31st for Gasparilla!

HART is by far the most convenient and affordable way to travel to the Gasparilla parade.

Below are important details to make the trip to the Gasparilla parade easier:

Getting TO Downtown - BEFORE 3 PM

• Free Streetcar: Take the FREE Streetcar from Ybor (Station #2) to Downtown (Station #10) starting at 8:30 AM.
• FREE Bus Shuttle: Take the FREE HART shuttle from Ybor (Stations #3 or #4) or Channelside (Station #7) to Downtown (Station #10) starting at 9:30 AM

Getting FROM Downtown - AFTER 3 PM

• FREE Streetcar: Streetcar service from Downtown (Station #10) to Ybor City and Channelside (Stations #2–#9) will operate until 2 a.m.
• FREE Bus Shuttle: HART shuttle from Downtown (Station #10) to Ybor (Stations #3 or #4) or Channelside (Station #7) until 7 PM.

Map of Gasparilla Service

Streetcar Station Closures & HART Bus Gasparilla Detours

TECO Line Streetcar System Station Closures

• Streetcar Stations #1 and #11 (Hattricks Station) will be CLOSED all day.
• Streetcar Stations #3 – #9 will be CLOSED until 3 PM.

HART Bus Service Detours

• Routes 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 19, 30, 360LX, and 400 will be on detour during Gasparilla, with limited service in Downtown Tampa and Hyde Park

Getting to Downtown Tampa on HART

 

Please note: No direct service to festivities from the Marion Transit Center

• Traveling from outside Ybor City and Downtown? HART’s $4 daily fare may be purchased in advance by using the Flamingo Fares app or card, or onboard via contactless debit or credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or cash (exact change for one-way ride).

• Getting to Downtown Tampa on HART

  • From University Area: Routes 1*, 5*, 6, 9*, 12, 275LX, 400*
  • From Temple Terrace: Route 6
  • From New Tampa/Wiregrass: Route 275LX
  • From Brandon: Routes 8*, 360LX*
  • From West Tampa: Route 7*,10*
  • From South Tampa: Routes 19*, 360LX*
  • From Tampa International: Routes 10*, 30
    
    

View HART bus maps and schedules

HART Trip Planner

Please note: Routes are subject to change due to road closures.

Ride with Respect!

Ride with Respect

Make sure to party like a responsible pirate and Ride with Respect! No coolers or alcohol are allowed on HART buses and the TECO Line Streetcar System.

Have a fun and safe Gasparilla!

HART Board Elects Councilman Schisler Chair

Councilman Gil Schisler

At its January 5 meeting, the Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) Board elected Councilman Gil Schisler as Chair, Director Gary Hartfield as Vice Chair, and Commissioner Gwen Myers as Secretary of the HART Board of Directors for 2026.

“I’m grateful to my fellow Board members for the trust they’ve placed in me to serve as Chair,” said HART Chair Gil Schisler. “Public transportation plays a critical role in strengthening our community, and I look forward to working together to push HART forward, advocate for increased investment, and ensure we’re delivering the reliable service our residents deserve.”

HART Board Service History:

• Councilman Schisler has been a HART Board member since December 2018
• Director Gary Hartfield was appointed to the Board in October 2023.
• Commissioner Gwen Myers was appointed in November 2020.

 

The HART Board is responsible for setting policy and making decisions for the Authority on matters ranging from system operations and service planning to fare structure, finance, and customer service. It is comprised of 14 volunteers who are appointed to represent Hillsborough County (seven seats), the City of Tampa (four seats), the State of Florida (two seats), and the City of Temple Terrace (one seat).

Officers of the HART Board (chair, vice-chair, and secretary) are elected annually.

Ring in the New Year with Extended Streetcar Service

To support a safe and convenient alternative to driving on New Year’s Eve, the Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) is extending TECO Line Streetcar System service by two additional hours, operating until 1 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026.

On New Year’s Eve, the TECO Line Streetcar will run from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., providing frequent service every 15 minutes between historic Ybor City, Water Street Tampa, and downtown Tampa—making it easy to celebrate responsibly and get home safely.

HART fixed-route bus service will operate on a Wednesday schedule on New Year’s Eve.

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New Year’s Day Service – Thursday, January 1, 2026

On New Year’s Day, the TECO Line Streetcar will operate on its regular Thursday schedule, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
HART fixed-route bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule.

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Customer Service & Retail Sales Center Hours

Customers should note the following holiday service hours:

New Year’s Eve – Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Marion Transit Center (MTC): 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
University Area Transit Center (UATC): 6 a.m. – 5 p.m.
HART Customer Service Hotline (813-254-4278): 5 a.m. – 1 a.m.

New Year’s Day – Thursday, January 1, 2026
Retail Sales Centers at UATC, MTC, and all HART offices: Closed in observance of the holiday
HART Customer Service Hotline (813-254-4278): 6 a.m. – 1 a.m.

HART offices will return to regular business hours on Monday, January 5, 2026.

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HARTPlus Holiday Service

HARTPlus subscription customers who wish to travel on holidays must make a reservation by calling HART Customer Service at 813-254-4278.

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 New Member for ADA Accessibility Committee

HART is actively seeking dedicated Hillsborough County residents to join its ADA Accessibility Committee. This voluntary role allows members to serve the community by assisting HART in ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and improving accessibility for people with disabilities across Hillsborough County. Committee members serve without compensation.

Application Process and Deadline

Interested residents must complete and submit an Application for HART Committee Appointments to be considered. Fillable application forms are available on the HART website at www.goHART.org/ADAcommittee. To be eligible, applications must be signed, dated, and fully completed. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Submission Deadline: Close of business on January 5, 2026

Submission Methods:

• Mail or Delivery: 1201 East 7th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605
• Email: ChavarriaC@gohart.org

About the ADA Accessibility Committee

The ADA Accessibility Committee serves in an advisory capacity to HART and plays a crucial role in advancing accessibility initiatives. Its duties include:

1. Reviewing HART’s priorities and projects to advise on disability-related issues.
2. Acting as a liaison between HART and individuals with disabilities, addressing accessibility concerns or complaints about HART services or facilities.
3. Providing insights to HART on issues affecting people with disabilities.
4. Advocating for accessible transit options for people with disabilities.

There are two new positions open on the Committee, with a term length of three years. Committee meetings are held quarterly on the third Thursday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

HART Awarded $32 Million FTA Grant for CNG Buses

Historic News for HART!

We’re proud to announce that HART has been awarded $32 million through the FTA’s Low or No Emission and Bus & Bus Facilities Program — the largest federal grant in HART’s history, the largest in Florida, and one of the top awards in the entire nation this funding cycle.

This investment will allow us to:

• Replace 33 aging diesel buses averaging 688,000 miles — well beyond their useful life
• Reduce annual maintenance costs by over $1 million
• Improve reliability, on-time performance, and reduce service interruptions
• Cut harmful emissions across Hillsborough County
• Expand technician training and apprenticeship programs to strengthen our workforce

With this award, HART is now positioned to become Florida’s first transit agency with a 100% low-emission CNG fixed-route fleet — a major milestone in our Fleet Transition Plan and a big step toward cleaner, more reliable mobility for our community.

This isn’t just an investment in buses. It’s an investment in our riders, our employees, and the future of transportation in Hillsborough County.

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Statement from HART CEO Scott Drainville

“Today’s announcement represents a major step forward for reliable transit in Hillsborough County. This investment will help us improve service for riders, reduce costly breakdowns, strengthen our workforce pipeline, and continue transitioning our fleet to cleaner, low-emission technology. 

We are profoundly grateful to the more than two dozen partners who stood with us—elected leaders, community advocates, educational institutions, businesses, and industry. Their voices made clear that modern, reliable transit is essential to our region’s growth.”

Statement from Congresswoman Kathy Castor

“This grant is a big win for our Tampa Bay neighbors. Reliable, accessible transit is essential to a healthy local economy—helping people get to work, school, medical care, and the grocery store without added stress,” said Rep. Kathy Castor. “With these new investments to modernize HART’s fleet and expand mobility options, we’re opening the door to more job opportunities, supporting local businesses and ensuring families across Hillsborough County can move around safely and affordably. I’m proud to help secure these federal resources so every neighbor—regardless of zip code—has the freedom to move, connect and thrive in our community.”

Statement from Congresswoman Laurel Lee

“This federal investment is a significant step forward for transit in Hillsborough County. With the addition of 33 new CNG buses, HART will be able to improve reliability, lower operating costs, and better serve the riders who depend on these routes every day. I was proud to support HART’s application and am grateful to Secretary Duffy and Administrator Molinaro for prioritizing this project. These upgrades will make a real difference for families, workers, and students across our community.” 

Statement from HART Chair/Councilman Luis Viera


“This $32 million grant for HART is a huge leap forward thanks to our federal partners. HART provides such a pivotal lifeline for our working families – our seniors, those with disabilities, our veterans and so many others. I am so thankful for the work ethic, tenacity and determination of our Congresswoman Kathy Castor, who always champions transit. This grant allows us to move forward in a manner that is productive and is consistent with sustainability.”