HART Ridership Continues Record Trend

62 consecutive months of over a 1 million trips on HART!

The numbers are in, and HART had a big month for ridership in April, including another month of more than a million trips on HART bus service. The increase continues to be evident in our daily ridership; April 14 saw the greatest daily ridership throughout the month with 53,103 bus trips.

A total of 1,255,932 trips were taken last month, which marks the 62nd consecutive month of serving more than 1 million bus rides; February 2010 was the last month with under 1 million rides. This continues a strong upward ridership trend for HART, with a fifth straight year of record ridership. We've set annual ridership records in 10 of the past 11 years.

"We are extremely pleased that more people are taking advantage of the affordable cost and convenience of our service," said HART Chief Executive Officer Katharine Eagan. "We look forward to these new customers becoming regular riders as they continue to discover all the great benefits of taking transit."
 
Fast facts: 

Last month, April 14 saw the highest daily ridership throughout the month with 53,103 bus trips.

11 days exceeded 50,000 riders

The TECO Line Streetcar System saw an increase of two percent for April and is up four percent for FY2015.

For the month of April, HART logged 20,752 bicycle boardings; an increase of 2.6 percent compared to last year.

HARTFlex ridership was up 3.1 percent from April 2014 and up 6.3 percent for the year.

Year-to-date (FY2014 vs. FY2015), bus ridership is up 2.6 percent; an increase of 230,681 trips compared to the same period last year. Recent statistics from the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) Transit Savings Report indicate that the average annual savings for public transit riders was $9,394. Individuals who ride public transportation instead of driving can also save, on average, more than $783 a month.

These savings are based on the cost of commuting by public transportation compared to the cost of owning and driving a vehicle, which in this APTA Transit Saving Report includes the April 27, 2015 average national gas price ($2.54 per gallon- reported by AAA), and the national unreserved monthly parking rate numbers.

HART is hiring new Bus Operators, Fleet Mechanic, Finance Assistant TVM, and many other great job opportunities. If you are interested please visit: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/gohart/default.cfm.

HART sees big ridership growth in December

HART ridership continued to be strong in December with 1.27 million boardings, an increase of 5.7 percent from last year. Fiscal year to date ridership is 4.1 percent ahead of the same period last year with HART on track to exceed over 15 million boardings in FY2015. All this, while gas prices are the lowest in six years! The most recent ridership report shows total passenger trips for December reached 1,272,735. That's 69,006 more riders choosing HART to get around Hillsborough County in December 2014 compared to the same month last year. 2014 was a critical year for HART with record ridership, further recognition of its innovative transit system and new community partnerships. Ridership gains and system improvements continue to be fueled by efforts to position HART as a better way to travel around Hillsborough County.   "Just as our current passengers are using our service more, we continue to attract new passengers with service and amenities that are increasingly relevant and attractive," said HART Chief Executive Officer Katharine Eagan. "Public transit in Hillsborough County continues to improve, and I encourage people who haven't been on a bus lately to give it a try."     Fast facts:  December 3 saw the greatest daily ridership throughout the month with 58,662 riders picking HART!  14 days exceeded 50,000 riders. MetroRapid ridership was 49,584 up 8.3 percent from December 2013 and up 2.8 percent (149,506) for the year. Year-to-date (FY2014 vs. FY2015), bus ridership is up 4.1 percent; an increase of 155,170 trips compared to the same period last year.   The following routes are our highest percentage gainers so far in FY2015,* showing that added investment in public transit pays off with more riders:    Route 46 (Downtown Tampa/Brandon via Causeway Blvd.): +140.5 percent increase (Removed from Davis Islands and extended in Brandon to Dover Rd. + midday service added.)  Route 57 (UATC/Temple Terrace/Netp@rk Transfer Center via Temple Temple Terrace): +25.4 percent increase (Saturday service added) Route 37 (Brandon/Netp@rk Transfer Center via Grand Regency Plaza): +17.5 percent increase (Sunday service added) Route 6 (Downtown Tampa to University Area Transit Center via 56th St.): +14.6 percent increase (Frequency increased in the midday from 30 to 20 minutes) (*Each of these routes were enhanced in FY2014.) For all-things HART, including OneBusAway, Real-time Arrival Information via Text Message, trip planning, schedules, maps and fares, just visit www.goHART.org.

HART sets all-time monthly ridership record!

Despite declining gas prices, October 2014 marked the highest month for bus ridership in HART history!  

The numbers are in, and for the first time HART provided 1,438,947 passenger trips in one month, which is roughly a 5.8 percent increase over October 2013. 

"Our weekday ridership continues to grow, we're a different HART today, and the community has taken notice," said HART Chief Executive Officer Katharine Eagan. "While this is encouraging news, we have to continue the work to improve HART efficiencies, while simultaneously planning for its future growth."

 

Fast facts: 

• October 2014 ridership marked 79,183 more trips than the same month last year. 
• October 2014 topped the previous monthly record set October 2013 as the highest month for bus ridership in HART history.
• MetroRapid set an all-time monthly high with 57,513.
• October 2014 is the first time HART monthly bus ridership has marked more than 1.4 million trips.
• Only one weekday was under 50, 000, so 22 weekdays were over 50,000 daily trips.
• October 2014 streetcar ridership totaled 23,893 or an increase of 8.2 compared to the same month last year.

The increase continues to be visible in our daily ridership after a record breaking 60,711 trips on October 6 - the most in HART history.

For the month of October, bicycle boardings in Hillsborough County saw a 7.4 percent increase over September's numbers. HART logged 21,430 boardings compared to 19,961 last month. In fact, the HART bikes on buses program saw a 4 percent increase in FY2014 or 233,475 boardings compared to 224,466 in FY2013.

In addition, Almost 192,000 trips from University of South Florida students, faculty and staff have been taken on HART services since July. In October the use of the HART U-Pass service for USF students, faculty and staff increased 9.5 percent or 4,737 trips compared to last year. The U-Pass program is a partnership with the university that allows students to ride any HART local bus for free with a valid student ID; faculty and staff ride for 25¢. 

Meanwhile more than 2.7 billion trips were taken on U.S. public transportation in the second quarter of 2014, according to a report released by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

For all-things HART, including OneBusAway, Real-time Arrival Information via Text Message, trip planning, schedules, maps and fares, just visit www.goHART.org.     

HART sees another record month in June!

The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority set yet another ridership record last month as early estimates indicate that the agency provided more than 1,194,379 trips in June. That's an increase of nearly 7 percent over June 2013.

The increase continues to be evident in our daily ridership; June 3 saw the greatest daily ridership throughout the month with 54,590 riders choosing HART! June continued the agency's trend of increasing ridership despite a difference in the balance of days within the month.

HART leaders say the continued gains in ridership are proof that Hillsborough County residents and visitors are eager to use public transit. "When more people use public transportation, everyone benefits," explained HART Interim Chief Executive Officer Katharine Eagan. "It's good for the environment, because there a fewer cars on the road. We're working hard to expand our rail service as much as possible within the budget we have available." 

Fast facts: 

• MetroRapid ridership was 50,796, or 2,419 per day
• Year-to-date (October 2013 - June 2014), bus ridership is up 1.6 percent; an increase of 179,908 trips, compared to the same period last year   
• Bus ridership for fiscal year 2014 is on its way to surpassing 14.6 million from last year. HART is on track for exceeding its annual target for ridership with approximately 14.9 million riders this year, which would be the 5th straight annual ridership record for HART

The price of the HART Summer Blast Pass has been slashed to $15! Kids ages 5 - 17 can use it for unlimited rides on HART through Aug. 31.

Don't know how to get started? Our online  Transit Map Trip Planner will plan out the route for you and tell you what bus to take to your destination.   

Thanks to the HART OneBusAway Tampa app, riders can easily find out when the next bus will arrive at their stop. The FREE application is available on a number of devices and platforms (Desktop computer, tablets, smartphones, Android, iPhone and mobile phones with browsers), which means less waiting at the stop and more time enjoying other things.

For all-things HART, including OneBusAway, trip planning, schedules, maps and fares, just visit www.goHART.org.