HART to Implement Service Changes August 16

The Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) will implement service changes beginning Sunday, August 16, 2026, to enhance operational efficiency and provide a more reliable and convenient customer experience.

Schedule Changes:

• Routes 1, 12, 30, 34, 39, 45, 360LX, 400, and HARTFlex East Fletcher will see schedule changes

Additional changes to Route 360LX (Brandon/South Tampa) include:

• Service to the J.C. Handly Park-n-Ride will move to a bus stop on Kings Avenue.
• Route 360LX will no longer serve the shelter located inside the J.C. Handly Park-n-Ride parking lot.
• A new timepoint will be added at Providence Park to accommodate layovers.

Customers are encouraged to review updated schedules before traveling and allow additional time as the changes take effect.

Updated schedules and trip-planning information are available on the "Maps and Schedules" paget at GoHART.org.

Customers may also visit a HART Customer Service Center or call 813-254-4278 for assistance.

HART Hurricane Ian Service Update

CURRENT SERVICE STATUS

HART has resumed regular fixed-routes and Paratransit services effective today, September 30. However, please expect some delays. 

The TECO Line Streetcar will resume service at 3 p.m. today.

For more information, contact HART Customer Service at (813) 254-4278.

HART Launches Rider Advisory Committee - Public Invited to Open House!

HART is creating a Rider Advisory Committee! Rider input is essential to HART’s success. It helps us make informed decisions to continue providing excellent public transportation that keeps Hillsborough County moving!

Interested applicants can attend an Open House on Thursday, August 11, 2022; 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM, at the HART Administrative Office - 1201 E. 7th Ave., Tampa, FL.

Open House attendees will learn more about the Rider Advisory Committee and be able to apply to serve on the Committee in person.

"Customer input is invaluable to our organization to ensure that we continue to meet the County's transportation needs," said Adelee Marie Le Grand, HART CEO. "The Rider Advisory Committee will give us a constant pulse on rider sentiment".

For those unable to attend the Open House, the application is available online.

Committee applications can be sent to MorenoY@goHART.org or mail it to HART Community Engagement, 1201 E. 7th Ave., Tampa, FL, 33605. All applications must be received by Friday, September 2, 2022.

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.

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 is Hitting the Reset Button!

FY18 System Redesign outreach by the numbers!

After an exhaustive outreach schedule of over 40 meetings, we are now to the "finish line" of the public input portion of this process, which began back in March.

The Public Hearing for the HART FY2018 system redesign took place at the HART Administrative Office on July 26th, from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. This was the final opportunity for public comments on the proposal.

HART staff is reviewing comments from the Public Hearing and working on further revisions to the proposal before its final destination.

The HART Board will have the final word on the system redesign proposal at their August 7th meeting. If approved, the proposal would be scheduled for implementation on Sunday, October 8th, 2017.

Public Involvement

79% of respondents wanted more frequent service over better coverage

While the HART Board might have the final say, the public truly shaped the plan.

At the March workshops, we asked riders to choose between better coverage (shorter walk to the bus stop) vs. higher frequency (buses come more often). Overwhelmingly (79%), the public choose higher frequency. We based the current proposal on that principle.

Roughly 80% of HART riders will see improvement in overall travel times:

Higher Frequency

• MetroRapid - Service increased to every 12 minutes  
• Route 1 - Weekday service increased to every 15 minutes
• Route 12 - Weekday service increased to every 15 minutes (FY19)
• Route 14 - Weekday service increased to every 30 minutes
• Route 16 - Weekday service increased to every 30 minutes (FY19)
• Route 34 - Weekday service increased to every 20 minutes (FY19)

Expanded Service

• MetroRapid - Saturday and Sunday service added
• Route 9 - Earlier weekend service
• Route 14 - Sunday service added
• Route 16 - Sunday service added 
• Route 32 - Service extended to Tampa International Airport
• Route 46 - Sunday service added; service extended to Brandon Regional Hospital

New Connections

• Route 60LX - All-day, hourly, limited stop service between Northwest Transfer Center, Tampa International Airport, Downtown Tampa, and Westfield Brandon
  
• Route 275LX - All-day, hourly, limited stop weekday service between UATC, Downtown Tampa, and Tampa International Airport (FY19)
• Route 360LX - All-day, hourly, limited stop service between Westfield Brandon, Downtown Tampa, Britton Plaza, and MacDill AFB

Route 60LX and 360LX will be "staggered" from Westfield Brandon Mall, providing 30 minute service between Brandon and Downtown Tampa.

Bringing a massive system redesign to the public has not been easy. After countless meetings, and sifting through public comments, we realized there were areas where the proposal fell short.

We've heard you and now have revisions to our initial system redesign proposal.

 Proposal Revisions

Revisions from the initial FY18 System Redesign Proposal

• MetroRapid - Route 33 will operate portion of previous MetroRapid service between UATC and the Hidden River / Telecom Park area
• 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
• Route 39 - Would only use the 50th St./ Puritan Rd./ Sligh Ave. segment
• Route 42 - New route would travel Skipper Rd./ Bearss Ave., as well as, take place of Route 45 from Yukon to UATC, via 15th St.
• Route 45 - Route would end at Yukon with 42 covering Yukon to UATC

Click here to view a map of the initial revisions to the system redesign proposal.

Following feedback at the Public Hearing, we are working on further revisions and will make those public ASAP.

Please note: Due to expected overflow, the August 7th HART Board meeting is being moved to County Center, 601 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602.

HART hits the “reset” button on our network in October. We hope to see you on board!

HART FY2018 System Redesign: South Tampa and Westshore

The July 26th Public Hearing is less than a week away! Still unsure how the proposed FY2018 system redesign affects your area? Stick with us as we breakdown the changes for South Tampa and the Westshore area.

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

Map of the proposed FY2018 system redesign for South Tampa/Westshore

Summary of Changes:

• Service Additions: 

• Route 11: Proposed new service from Downtown to Main St., Spruce St. and International Plaza, with new stops.
• Route 17: Proposed new service would cover part of Route 19 from Britton Plaza Transfer Center to O’Brien/Idaho.
  
• Route 60LX: Proposed all-day service would provide hourly service between Brandon Mall, Downtown Tampa. Tampa International Airport, and Northwest Transfer Center.
  
• Route 275LX: Proposed all-day service would provide hourly service between University Area Transit Center, Downtown Tampa, and Tampa International Airport. 
• 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 4:
  
  • Downtown/South Tampa: Route 4 would be removed and replaced by Route 19, from Marion Transit Center to Britton Plaza Transfer Center.
  • South Tampa: Route 4 would be replaced by new all-day limited express route (360LX), which would operate between Britton Plaza to MacDill AFB. redesigned Route 19 would cover portions of Route 4. 
  • South Tampa would also be served by HARTFlex.
• Route 7:
  • Would now operate between Downtown and HCC-Dale Mabry campus. Connections from HCC to Citrus Park would be provided on Routes 36 and 39.
  • Hyde Park: Route would shift from Howard/Armenia to North Blvd. via
    Columbus Ave. Route 14 would serve Howard/Armenia to Swann Ave.
  • West Tampa Transfer Center: Route would no longer enter the Transfer Center.

• Route 14:
  
  • Route would increase frequency to every 30 minutes on weekdays.
  • Hyde Park: Route would run down Howard/Armenia to Swann Ave. North Blvd. stops would be served by Route 7.
  • Route 30/Kennedy Blvd. would provide access to the Marion Transit Center.
  • Overall: Weekday/Weekend service would operate 6 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Sunday service would be added.

• Route 15:
  
  • East Tampa: Eastern end of the route would run from Columbus Dr. north to Netp@rk Transfer Center on 50th St., with new stops. Route would no longer serve Orient Road Jail.
   
• Route 17: Route will utilize Manhattan Ave.
  

• Route 19:
  
  • Downtown: Route would shift from Transitway to Florida Ave./Tampa St.
  • Hyde Park: Route would shift slightly from Cleveland to Swann Ave. after serving Tampa General Hospital.
  • South Tampa: The route would end at Britton Plaza Transfer Center.

• Route(s) 24LX/25LX:
  
  • Routes would operate with similar schedule with added stops in Downtown Tampa.
• Route 30:
  • Downtown: Minor route shift from Transitway to Florida Ave./Tampa St. 
  • Airport: Route would run from downtown/Marion Transit Center to Tampa International Airport. New Route 60LX would provide service to the Northwest Transfer Center.
• Route 32:
  • West Tampa: Route would no longer use the West Tampa Transfer Center. Transfers would take place on Dale Mabry Hwy.
  • Orient Park: Route would no longer shift onto Broadway.
  • Route would be expanded to operate between Netp@rk Transfer Center and Tampa International Airport. Service from Netp@rk Transfer Center to the Mango Walmart would be provided by the new Route 38.
• Route 36:
  
  • South Tampa: Route would provide service to Britton Plaza Transfer Center. New all-day 360LX would serve Britton Plaza to MacDill AFB hourly.
• 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.
• HARTFlex South Tampa:
  • HARTFlex South Tampa is being adjusted north to Cypress to cover part of the current Route 10.

South Tampa and the Westshore area will see the addition of 5 new routes, including new all-day, limited stop connections to Brandon, MacDill AFB, Tampa International Airport, and the University area.

Weekday frequency would increase to 30 minutes on route 14, and routes 14 and 19 would expand operating hours.

The remainder of the changes involve routing. Click here for an interactive map, showing proposed routing and stops. Please note schedules provided on the page are for planning purposes only. October 2017 schedules are currently being developed.

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!

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!

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.

HART and TransDev to Partner on Innovative First Mile, Last Mile Solution

The HART Board voted during the March 7th meeting to partner with TransDev, an international transportation company, on a pilot program aimed at providing a solution for what is known in the industry as the "First Mile, Last Mile Problem".

How does a potential rider get to/from the bus stop when a stop is not within reasonable walking distance to one? "First Mile, Last Mile" is an industry-wide barrier to potential riders trying transit for the first time.

Enter the TransDev First Mile, Last Mile pilot program.

Brandon, Carrollwood and University area are pilot areas

Here are the basics. HART and TransDev have identified 3 initial zones: Brandon, Carrollwood and the University Area/North Tampa. The selected areas are under-served areas with a large population, making it a great opportunity to be more relevant to people's lives and hopefully bring more riders into the HART network. TransDev's service will connect users to HART transit hubs within 3 miles of pickup.

TransDev will operate Minivans with roughly 27% of the vans being ADA-accessible.

Here is how it works.

Riders will be able to book their trip via an Apple IOS/Google Android smartphone app or a traditional call center. The app will act similarly to current rideshare apps such as Uber and Lyft, locating you via your phone's GPS.

Riders will be able to choose the next available van or schedule a pickup via advance booking.

The app will be integrated with trip planner technology, and will be able to determine which bus route riders need to connect with and plan their trip, anywhere in the area. The app will provide the pickup that best ensures the customer arrives at the bus stop before the bus departs.

TransDev's drivers will have pre-employment drug screen, background check, driving record/reference check and training in Customer Service, HART rules, etc. Riders will also be able to rate the driver for enhanced transparency.

The "First Mile, Last Mile" solution pilot will be a flat $3 fee, with HART picking up the remaining $7 cost of the up-to 3-mile trip.

The pilot project is expected to launch in summer 2016. Should the pilot be successful, the goal is to expand this pilot to other HART services.

Here's a TIP - MacDill's Transportation Incentive Program (TIP)

More than 3,000 Hillsborough County residents are employed by MacDill Air Force Base (AFB), home of U.S. Central Command or Centcom.

With such a concentration of employment in the Tampa area, there's a good chance that you are associated with MacDill, whether it be by direct employment, contract work or family and friends. Did you know that MacDill AFB offers its personnel FREE transportation to the base?

Believe it.

If you live in Brandon, Valrico, Riverview, and the Fishhawk areas east of Tampa, MacDill, through their Transportation Incentive Program (TIP), provides FREE monthly HART Commuter Express passes, a $90 value.

If you have not signed up for MacDill's TIP, you are missing out on a benefit that could save you hundreds of dollars a month in gas and tolls. More than 1,450 personnel take advantage of a daily, hassle-free express bus ride or van pool, which is 100 percent paid for by Uncle Sam.

According to MacDill, the TIP has its origins from Executive Order 13150, which "seeks to reduce traffic congestion, fuel consumption and emissions by military members and federal employees by mandating a public transportation program that offers assistance with commuting costs".

Don't live in the above areas? TIP also includes TBARTA Commuter Services, a van pool program. The van pool program provides commuters, in groups of five or more, funding to secure a passenger van for their daily commute. For information on the van pool program visit www.tampabayrideshare.org/vanpool.

As with any program, there are a few stipulations to the TIP program. You obviously can't intend to profit off the sale or trade of bus passes and van pool vouchers. And TIP applications shall be based solely on costs associated with the use of a qualified mode of transportation to and from MacDill in conjunction with employment by the Department of Defense (DoD).

Are you eligible for the TIP Benefit?

1) DoD active duty military members
2) DoD Reserve Military members (including both Reservists and National Guard Members) on active duty status
3) DoD Federal civilian employees
4) DoD NAF personnel

Per MacDill: The TIP program is managed by the 6th Comptroller Squadron, Financial Services Office in bldg. 149 on Hillsborough Loop. After identifying the service or bus route that will best serve you, please e-mail finance.services@macdill.af.mil to get a copy of the application. Applications must be returned in person so eligibility requirements can be verified using the members DoD issued ID card. Applications can be dropped off any duty day and are processed at the end of each month. Riders typically are able to pick up their bus pass/van pool vouchers by the third week of the month after they apply.


Save a lot of money and the environment, help keep Tampa's congestion down and learn to relax on board one of our buses straight from a park-n-ride to the base.  Sounds like a no-risk, big reward plan!

It's Mapnificent!

Want to see how far you can go from your location in a certain amount of time on HART? There's now an app for that!

HART released our General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS), or scheduling data, about a month ago and we now have the first "app" created using the data.

Mapnificent.

Mapnificent is a free web-based application that utilizes HART scheduling data (times, stops, frequencies, etc.) to formulate and display the results over Google Maps. You can drag the pin around for different locations, use the slider for different maximum times, and go to settings to choose times and days of week. You can also drag the pin around to find the half way meeting point between friends living across town.

Mapnificent was created by a 23-year-old graduate student named Stefan Wehrmeyer, a graduate student in Germany. "I hope people use it to find the best place to live, work and meet, said Wehrmeyer on his blog. "That they discover new things about their public transport system."

If you would like a more in depth look of the functionality of Mapnificent, please watch the video below. Wehrmeyer gives a great tutorial on using Mapnificent to accomplish a number of tasks.

Mapnificent from Stefan Wehrmeyer on Vimeo.

Mapnificent is now live in Tampa and can be found by going to www.mapnificent.net/tampa

Reminder: HART does not endorse any 3rd party applications, including Mapnificent . However, we do support providing our patrons with options, and having our data open for public consumption and ingenuity.

If you are interested in developing a 3rd party application, please visit the HART Developer's page located here.