Route of the Week: Route 14

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 shine the spotlight on Route 14! Operating between Marion Transit Center and Yukon Transfer Center, Route 14 provides Weekday service from 5:05 a.m. - 8:25 p.m. and Saturday service from 6:35 a.m. - 8:50 p.m.

 Route 14 serves a great mix of residential, educational, entertainment, and employment centers.

Accusoft is just one of the major employers served by Route 14

Commuters may be interested that Route 14 serves a host of employers including: Florida Department of Children & Families, Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance, Accusoft, St. Joseph's Hospital, WEDU PBS, and The University of Tampa.

Those looking to grab a bite to eat, or enjoy some family fun, may be interested in stops at The Straz Center, Tampa Museum of Art, Glazer Children's Museum, El Chuzo BBQ, Gino's Restaurant & Bar, La Pequena Colombia,  Pin Chasers, United Skates of America, and more! As you can see, a number of Tampa's cultural destinations are served by Route 14.

HART Summer Blast Pass is back and only $25!

We can't forget about students. Route 14 serves students from middle and high school (Adams Middle School, Chamberlain High School, Blake High School, Tampa Preparatory High School), all the way through college (The University of Tampa, Brewster Technical College). Better yet, ages 5-18 can purchase a HART Summer Blast Pass for only $25, and receive unlimited rides until August 31!

UT and Brewster students receive 25% off on a 31-day pass from their respective institutions.

From Brewster to Broadway, HART Takes You There.

Streetcar Holiday Connections: Dec. 10, 25¢ Rides from 9 am - 5 pm!

Santa Claus is coming to town!

Mark Santa's arrival with 25¢ one-way rides on the TECO Line Streetcar this Saturday from 9 am - 5 pm, courtesy of Centro Ybor!

Santa will be making appearances in the morning at Centro Ybor and Centennial Park. In addition to the jolly man's arrival in Ybor City, several activities are also planned along the streetcar line. There will be an entertainment stage at Centro Ybor, Art in the Park and entertainment at Centennial Park; Ybor Art Association's Deck the Walls (art exhibits at multiple locations along the streetcar line); and behind-the-scenes tours at Stageworks Theatre.

Multiple businesses will also have special deals in the Streetcar Holiday Connections Brochure: $5 off at the Florida Aquarium, free child's admission with the purchase of an adult admission at the Glazer Children's Museum and $2 off admission at the Tampa Bay History Center, to name a few.

Looking to fill up your tummy like ol' Saint Nick? There are a variety of food and drinks specials at restaurants along the streetcar line. A quick peak shows: 20% off your entire bill at Pizza Fusion in Downtown Tampa, 15% off your food bill (with brochure) from Blue Dog Bistro in Centro Ybor and 10% off your order (with brochure) at Cold Stone Creamery in Channelside!

You can also receive a FREE kid's meal from Gametime in Ybor just by visiting the streetcar information tent located at Centro Ybor - while supplies last.

A few things to consider:

• The TECO Line Streetcar serves Ybor City, the Channel District and Downtown Tampa, for maps and schedules visit www.TECOlinetreetcar.org.
• Bust open that piggy bank. It's 25¢ fares, so you're going to need those quarters, our streetcar motormen don't provide change.
• The special 25¢ one-way fare is valid from 9 am - 5 pm.
• The TECO Line Streetcar System is not responsible for changes to any special offers listed in the Streetcar Holiday Connections brochure. Special offers are valid on Saturday, Dec. 10 only.

  Is there a better way to spend the day than 25¢ rides with Santa on his (yellow) sleigh?

Streetcar Holiday Connections - Dec. 10, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Things to do in Tampa this weekend: 9/16 - 9/18

$5 Admission to the Glazer Children’s Museum

If you haven’t taken your kids to the Glazer Children’s Museum yet, NOW is the time to go. In recognition of the Museum’s first birthday, the Museum’s admission price has been lowered to just $5 through September 30. Your kids will love all the hand's on exhibits. Play stations allow the kids to take on the roll of a tug boat captain or the job of an engineer. Kids become the stars of their own adventures! The Glazer Children's Museum is located at 110 W Gasparilla Plaza in downtown Tampa. Both In-Town Trolley lines serve the museum and cost only 25¢! The Purple line runs Monday-Friday until 6 p.m. and the Green line runs Friday-Saturday from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m.

2011 Tampa Carribbean Festival

Tampa's Carribbean beat comes alive with this Carribbean themed event. Follow the beat with live Calypso, Soca, Reggae, along with African and Tassa drumming, steel band, Latin music and more! Reward yourself for working up a sweat from all that dancing with ethnic dishes from Jerk Hut Jamaican Grille and Rhum Bar. The event costs $15 for adults, 10 and under are free; $10 for military/students. The event is being held at the Florida State Fair. For more information, visit http://carnivaltampa.com/

1905 Day at Columbia Restaurants

Dine in Florida’s oldest restaurant, with prices to go with it. This Sunday, Tampa Bay area restaurants (minus the Columbia Café at the Tampa Riverwalk) will roll back prices to 1905, the year the original Columbia Restaurant opened. The menu will be limited for the event, but includes chicken and yellow rice or boliche for $2.95, the famous “1905 Salad” for $1.95, Sangria for 95¢ and flan for just 50¢. No reservations will be taken for the event and expect a long wait.

Your best bet (especially if you’re going to the original in Ybor) is to wait in line, grab a ticket and come back in a few hours. Enjoy all that Ybor has to offer: people watching at Tampa Bay Brewing Company, gaming out at Gametime or enjoying the Ybor Saturday Market.

Channelside is also a good bet to fill your few hours wait.

Board the TECO Line Streetcar and enjoy shopping at Channelside, bowling at Splitsville or watching an IMAX film at Channelside Cinemas. When you’re ready, simply get back on the streetcar in time for your VERY cheap feast. Enjoy!