HART Service Changes Go Into Effect December 2

Service changes go into effect Dec. 2.

As part of our continued commitment to providing ease of access and convenience for patrons, HART is implementing minor service changes effective Sunday, December 2. HART makes regular service adjustments three times a year in response to public feedback and also to improve safety and efficiency. Routes are primarily selected for adjustment based upon demonstrated ridership and input via the customer service database.

The following HART service changes go into effect on Sunday, December 2:

Route and Schedule Adjustments:

• Route 45 is being modified to serve Busch Blvd., between North Blvd. and Florida Ave.
• Routes 60LX and 360LX will no longer serve Westfield Brandon Mall. 
• Route 60LX will be extended to serve Culbreath at Bloomingdale Park-n-Ride.
• Route 360LX is being extended to serve J.C. Handly Park-n-Ride.

Schedule Adjustments:

• The TECO Line Streetcar will have minor "last trip of the night schedule adjustments.

Route 60LX will now operate along U.S. 301 to Bloomingdale Ave., ceasing at the Bloomingdale Park-n-Ride. This will provide the Valrico area with all day limited-stop service to Tampa International Airport and the rest of the HART service network.

Route 360LX will operate along Lumsden Rd. before turning on Kings Ave. (entering the J.C. Handly Park-n-Ride) and looping back on Bloomingdale Ave. and finally Providence Rd.

Riders wishing to connect between routes 60LX or 360LX and routes 37, 46, 75LX, or HARTFlex Brandon should transfer using routes 8 or 31 (at Providence Rd. and Bloomingdale Ave, and at Westfield Brandon Mall).

HART in the Community

HART staff will be out in the community at the Marion Transit Center and Westfield Brandon Mall bus stop over the next two weeks talking to riders about the service changes.

You can view the new route schedules on goHART.org or contact HART customer service at (813) 254-4278 for more information.

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: Route 31

Route 31 operates between Brandon and SouthShore

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!

We're taking Route of the Week to South County this week. Route 31 is our Route of the Week!

Route 31 operates between the Westfield Brandon Transfer Center to the Gibsonton/Apollo Beach area. Service operates weekdays from 5:10 a.m. - 7:05 p.m.

Route 31 is one of our longest routes, connecting South County to Brandon and the rest of the HART system.

Brandon Destinations:

• Westfield Brandon - (Connection to Routes 8,31,37,46,53LX, HARTFlex Brandon)
• Bonefish Grill
• HomeGoods
• Buffalo Wild Wings
• Orangetheory Fitness
• Fitness for $10
• Anytime Fitness
• Square One Brandon

Winthrop is home to a number of restaurants and retail

Riverview/Gibsonton Destinations:

• Winthrop Town Centre (EATS! American Grill, Cappy's Pizza, Acropolis Green Taverna, Starbucks, Ciccio's Cali, Menchie's Frozen Yogurt)
• Florida Urban Organics
• Riverview Fresh Market
• Riverview Recreation Center
• HART Riverview Oaks Park-n-Ride - (Connection to 24X,27LX,53LX)
• Trust Me BBQ
• Gardenville Recreation Center

Apollo Beach Destinations:

• Massimos Pizza, Subs, and Salads
• Kimi's Ice Cream & Sweets
• Apollo Beach Park-n-Ride - (Connection to 31, 47LX)
• Four Stacks Brewing Company

HCC Students can purchase a special HART Semester Pass!

Ruskin/SouthShore Destinations:

• Amazon Warehouse - Route 31 was extended to the Amazon warehouse in Dec. 2014
• HCC SouthShore Campus
• Lennard High School
• Ybor Grille
• Joyce Ely Health Center
• SouthShore Corporate Park
• SouthShore Regional Service Center

From Amazon, to Anytime Fitness, HART Takes You There.

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.

Route of the Week: Route 37

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!

Route 37 gets to shine this week!

The Route 37 is an east-west route operating from netp@rk Transfer Center (Connection with routes 6,15,32,34,37,39,41,57) to Westfield Brandon Mall (Connection with routes 8,31,37,46,53LX, HARTFlex Brandon)/Brandon Regional Hospital. The route operates 7 days a week with Weekday service from 5:05 a.m. - 9:45 p.m. and Weekend service from 6:05 a.m. - 7:10 p.m.

Heading east from netp@rk Transfer Center, Route 37 serves Grant Park, which houses a Community Center, playground and baseball diamond. In the summer, The Grant Park Activity Center has a full program of summer fun, as a City of Tampa Day Camp.

Love competition? Race go-karts, regardless of the weather, at Tampa Bay Grand Prix, Tampa's only indoor go kart racing facility. Just a short walk from the Route 37.

HCC students receive discounts on HART!

Heading south along Falkenburg Rd., the Brandon campus of Hillsborough Community College may be of interest to students in the area. HCC students receive two discounts when riding HART. A 31-day pass is only $48.75 (a discount of 25% over retail) and recently, HART launched the HCC Semester Pass. The pass provides HCC students with roughly 4 months of rides for roughly the price of two. The Semester Pass is $110 and available at all HCC Bookstores.

Movie buffs will happy to know that AMC The Regency 20 is accessible via a Route 37 stop directly in front of the theater complex.

Route 37 serves a number of Brandon destinations!

Eastbound on Brandon Blvd., the Route 37 caters to Brandon Regional Hospital employees with a stop at Oakfield Dr. and S. Parsons Ave. During the week, the frequency on the Route 37 is roughly 30 minutes and splits trips at Providence Rd., with every other trip serving Brandon Regional Hospital. Weekday trips not serving the hospital, operate along Providence Rd. Brandon High School, Hillsborough County Service Center and the Brandon Post Office are also accessible via this leg of the trip.

After the roughly 9-mile journey, the Route 37 ends at Westfield Brandon Mall, with over 150+ stores and restaurants, as well as, connection to 5 different HART routes.

From summer camp, to morning shifts, HART Takes You There.

Packing HART buses for the holidays!

HART has spent the last few years packing on the ridership. However, with the holidays upon us, we're trying to pack the buses... with TOYS!

Local on-air personalities, Ratboy and StayPuff from 93.3 FLZ have teamed up with HART for the annual Stuff-a-Bus toy drive!

A HART bus is parked at the Westfield Brandon Shopping Center parking lot across from the Sears Auto Center located at 459 Brandon Town Center, Brandon, FL, 33511, until Saturday at 7 p.m.

93.3 FLZ has been broadcasting live each night from the HART buses, as RatBoy and StayPuff live on-site the entire week. Other 93.3 FLZ personalities have been dropping by throughout the week to share some of the bus duties.

The gifts do not have to cost an arm and a leg to be worthy of donation. Anything is appreciated, as long as the gift is in new and unwrapped condition! The toys will benefit the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program to help Tampa Bay area families in need this holiday season!