Redesign Process Closes in on the Finish Line!

With over 45k daily trips, HART is a big part of the community!

You hop on HART, pay your fare, put in headphones, arrive at your destination, and hop off.

Easy, right?

The bus is just a way for you to get home - Point A to Point B.

In actuality though, public transportation is more than that. Public transportation provides accessibility, mobility... FREEDOM to riders. We understand that.

HART isn't a bureaucracy, we're human. We live in the community, and a lot of us are your neighbors on the bus, van, streetcar, etc.

Over 150 individuals took time out of their day on July 26th to attend the Public Hearing on the system redesign. The allotted time for public comment went over by roughly 40 minutes, as our packed Ybor office buzzed with all walks of life.

We heard you.

We have reviewed all of the comments from the Public Hearing and have looked at possible solutions. We want to be upfront, that some of the proposed solutions from the Public Hearing are not currently financially feasible.

With that said, let's walk through the revisions to the plan and answer some of the biggest requests from public comments:

Revision for service north of Fletcher

REVISIONS

Service north of Fletcher: Route(s) 1,18,33,57

The proposal to straighten out route(s) 1 and 33, and the removal of the route(s) 18 and 57, left customers north of Fletcher with HyperLINK as the one remaining service option.

After receiving comments on this service and reviewing the need, the Route 45 will split at Yukon Transfer Center. The northern portion from Yukon Transfer Center becomes a new Route 42 that travels north of Fletcher on Nebraska, Skipper/Bearrs and Bruce B Downs.

Route 19

Route 19 routing revision

The Route 19 segment on Westshore Blvd. south of Britton Plaza was removed due to low ridership and high cost per boarding. The segment on south of Britton Plaza on Manhattan Ave. is replaced by the new Route 17.

Route 19 is now proposed to operate along Cleveland Ave., not Swann Ave. As a result, northbound Route 19 trips will once again serve the Lighthouse for the Blind and Tampa General Hospital. Trips from downtown can transfer from Cleveland St. to Platt St. or near Armenia Ave. at Swann Ave.

Route 51X/21LX revision map

Route 21LX/Route 51X

The 51X morning trips will serve the Temple Terrace Park and Ride. This will provide service to customers of the 21LX (which is being removed). The afternoon alternative for 21LX riders to the Temple Terrace Park-n-Ride will be the Route 6.



Route 36

Route would travel Himes Ave. between Busch Blvd. and MLK Jr. Blvd. and then travel Lois Ave./ Tampa Bay Blvd. to connect to Route 7 at HCC Dale Mabry campus.

The revisions we just covered have been added to the system redesign proposal going to the HART Board on August 7th.

Below, let's clarify some common questions in the proposal and provide context for the changes.

SERVICE CLARIFICATIONS AND RATIONALE

HARTFlex South Tampa/Route 10
The proposal to expand the HARTFlex South Tampa north to Cypress remains intact. HARTFlex South Tampa will now serve the western section of Route 10 (which is being removed) to include connections to the MacDonald Training Center, Tampa Housing Authority, and the Social Security Office. Service will operate hourly.

HARTFlex Brandon/HART HyperLINK

The proposal to eliminate the Brandon FLEX remains intact. The approximate per passenger trip cost for HARTFlex Brandon is $14, whereas the per trip cost for HyperLINK (as it exists today) is $10. We are looking at possibly modifying the Brandon HART HyperLINK for a deployment in October 2017. This may include reducing the customer fare and increasing connection points within the zone.

Route 46/Route 37

Route 46 will operate between the Dover Park-and-Ride and Westfield Brandon Mall, while serving Brandon Regional Hospital. Route 37 will travel directly to the Westfield Brandon for faster trip times and connections from the Route 46. The proposal removes Route 46 segments serving Palmetto Beach and Causeway Blvd. With 1.1 boardings per service mile and less than 15 boardings per service hour, the existing Route 46 is one of the lowest performing local routes in the HART network. The modification of the 46 preserves the most productive segments of the route.

Route 39 revision map

Route 39/57

We initially proposed Route 39 having alternating trips to Bullard Pkwy/Harney Rd. However, we're revising the initial proposal to only use the 50th St/Puritan Rd/Sligh Ave segment. Route 39 would run every 30 minutes on Saturdays.

The proposal to alternate segments was removed due to concerns about confusion in operating the alternating segments and reducing the level of service on the 50th St/Puritan Rd/Sligh Ave segment. Service in the Bullard Pkwy/Harney Rd would be returned in the future, possibly in the expansion of HART HyperLINK to Temple Terrace City Hall.

MetroRapid

With the consolidation of MetroRapid and Route 2, we are proposing to add seven MetroRapid stops along the route. MetroRapid hours would also expand to cover existing Route 2 service schedule.

MetroRapid service between UATC and the Hidden River/Telecom Park area will now be served by Route 33 in the proposal going before the HART Board.

SHAPING THE PLAN + NEXT STEPS

We hope this helps to understand the revisions to the proposal and why the changes were necessary.

We truly appreciate the community's involvement in this effort to transform the HART system. From the beginning, the community has helped shape this proposal through valuable insight, such as that provided at the Public Hearing.

Please note: Due to an expected overflow crowd, the HART Board meeting scheduled for August 7th, has been moved to County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. in Downtown Tampa.

Can't make the meeting? It will be streamed LIVE here.

HART FY2018 System Redesign: Brandon Area

HART has over 25 meetings planned throughout the County!

Have you seen HART staff out at transit centers with maps and surveys, etc.? Wondering what's going on?

You're in the right place.

HART is undergoing a major system redesign, in which EVERY route will be affected in some way.

With such an undertaking, we felt it might be easier to break down the changes locally within Hillsborough County.

Let's start with Brandon.

A little background. HART is currently conducting a Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) of service. The COA analyzes the system, providing recommended short-term and long-term modifications for efficiencies. In the HART picture, the COA essentially "resets" service, providing a foundation for our FY2018-2027 long-term plan.

HART last conducted a COA in 2003. As you can imagine, a lot has changed since then in Hillsborough County, including employment centers, and commuting patterns.

With that in mind, Brandon generally sees improved service from the system redesign come October 2017.

Map of Proposed FY2018 System Redesign for Brandon Area

Summary of Changes:

• Service Additions:

• Route 60LX: Proposed all-day service would provide hourly service between Brandon Mall, Downtown Tampa. Tampa International Airport, and Northwest Transfer Center.

• Route 360LX: Proposed all-day service would provide hourly connections between Westfield Brandon Mall, Downtown Tampa, Britton Plaza and MacDill Air Force Base. Combined with 60LX service, 30 minute LX service would exist from Westfield Brandon to Downtown Tampa.

• Route 8: No changes on Route 8.

• Route 31: No changes on Route 31.

• Route 37: Route would operate between Netp@rk Transfer Center and Westfield Brandon Mall. Brandon Regional Hospital service would be provided by Route 46 and HART HyperLINK.

• Route 46: Palmetto Beach and Causeway Blvd segments would be removed, and the route would now serve Brandon Regional Hospital. Hourly Sunday service would be added.
  
  • All-day, 30-minute service would be provided by a combination of routes 60LX and 360LX between Westfield Brandon Mall and Downtown Tampa.
• Route 22X: Route would be replaced by Route 46. Routes 8, 25LX, 60LX and 360LX would provide service from Westfield Brandon Mall, to Downtown Tampa.

• Route(s) 24LX, 25LX: Would operate with similar schedule, with added stops in Downtown Tampa.

• Route 27LX: Downtown Service: Route 27LX would be replaced with service available on 8, 24LX, 25LX, 60LX, and 360LX.

• HARTFlex Brandon: Service would be replaced by HART HyperLINK

Overall, the Brandon area will see the addition of crucial all-day connections to Downtown Tampa, Tampa International Airport, and Northwest Transfer Center.

We have tried our best to minimize any coverage loss and to provide alternatives for eliminated service. Should you find yourself in such a situation, a vanpool may make a great option. Visit TBARTA's website for more information.

Please also note, these are proposed changes, that must be approved by the HART Board. A Public Hearing will be held at the HART Administrative Office (1201. E. 7th Ave., Tampa, FL, 33605) on July 26th, from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Public comment will be available at that time.

In the meantime, visit goHART.org/TDP to see upcoming meetings, take a survey, share comments and learn more about the HART service redesign process!

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.

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.