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 FY2018 System Redesign: Carrollwood and University Area

We move northward to the Carrollwood and University Area this week, as we continue to breakdown the HART system redesign.

If you are not aware, HART is undergoing a major system redesign, in which EVERY route will be affected in some way.

Map of Carrollwood and University Area after proposed system redesign in October 2017.

Summary of Changes:

• Service Additions: 

• Route 275LX: Proposed all-day service would provide hourly service between University Area Transit Center, Downtown Tampa, and Tampa International Airport.

• Route 1:
  
  • Route would increase frequency to every 15 minutes weekdays south of Hillsborough Ave.; every 30 minutes north of Hillsborough Ave., with new stops.
  • Downtown: Route would travel on Florida Ave. and Tampa St. to Whiting St., with new stops.
  • University Area: Route would run along Fletcher Ave., with the area north of Fletcher served by HyperLINK.
  • Yukon Transfer Center: Stop at the center would be moved to Florida Ave.

• Route 2:
  
  • Route would be removed and replaced by MetroRapid, which would increase frequency to every 12 minutes weekdays; addition of weekend service.
  • Some current Route 2 stops would be added to MetroRapid. 

• Route 5:
  
  • University area: Route would run along Fowler Ave., with new stops
  • North of Fowler: Connections would be available through HyperLINK
  • University area: Stops on USF campus would be served by the USF Bull Runner and HyperLINK

• Route 6: University area/Temple Terrace: Route would run on 56th St. from Netp@rk Transfer Center to Fletcher Ave., with new stops. USF campus stops would be served by USF Bull Runner and HyperLINK (50th St. would be served by Route 39).

• Route 9:
  
  • East Tampa: Route would serve 30th St., starting at Hillsborough Ave., with new stops.
  • Route 16 would serve Waters Ave. stops, Route 1 would serve Florida Ave. stops,and Route 45 would serve Linebaugh/15th St.
  • All stops:  Weekend service would begin an hour earlier – at 6 a.m.
• Route 12: Route would increase frequency to every 15 minutes weekdays 5 a.m.-7 p.m.

• Route 14:
  
  • Route would increase frequency to every 30 minutes on weekdays 6 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Hyde Park: Route would run down Howard/Armenia to Swann (North Blvd. stops would be served by Route 7. Route 30/Kennedy Blvd. would provide access to the Marion Transit Center.)
  • Weekday and Saturday service would start at 6 a.m.
  • Sunday service would be added.

• Route 16:
  
  • Route would operate every 30 minutes on weekdays.
  • Sulphur Springs: Route would extend east to Rowlett Park.
  • Sunday service would be added.
  • Saturday service would shift to hourly.
  • Yukon Transfer Center: Route would no longer enter Transfer Center.

• Route 36: South Tampa: Route would provide service to Britton Plaza Transfer Center and the new all-day express route (360LX) would serve Britton Plaza to MacDill AFB every hour.
  
• Route 39:
  • Temple Terrace: Route would be expanded to Harney Road, with new stops • Temple Terrace: Route would split into alternating trips, east of 56th Street:
  1. 50th St./Puritan Rd./Sligh Ave.  2. Davis/Bullard Pkwy.
  • Lowry Park Central: Route would no longer serve Yukon Transfer Center.
  • East Tampa: Service to Netp@rk Transfer Center would be provided by Route 6.
  • David/Bullard Pkwy. portion would run hourly on weekdays and Saturdays.
• Route 45:
  
  • East Tampa/University Area: Route would serve Yukon Transfer center, and run on 15th St. between Linebaugh Ave. and University Area Transit Center.
  • North Tampa: Route would run on Florida Ave. between Waters and Linebaugh.
  • Carrollwood: Route would shift from Himes Ave. to Dale Mabry Hwy.University Area: HyperLINK service available within the zone.
    
• MetroRapid:
  • Route would increase frequency to every 12 minutes on weekdays; route would combine with Route 2.
  • MetroRapid would now serve some Route 2 stops and operate on the weekend.
    
• Route 20X: No changes.

Overall, Carrollwood and the University Area will see service improvements on Route(s) 1,9,12,14,16,39, and MetroRapid, with the addition of an all-day connection to Tampa International Airport, and Northwest Transfer Center in the 275LX.

For those concerned about the lack of service north of Fletcher Ave. We have heard you and are currently reviewing coverage alternatives for this area.

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.

Take an online survey regarding the HART system redesign!

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 system redesign process!