HART Welcomes Ronrico “Rico” Smith to the Board of Directors

HART is pleased to announce the appointment of Ronrico “Rico” Smith to the HART Board of Directors, representing Hillsborough County.

A third-generation Tampa native, Rico brings deep community roots and a steadfast commitment to public service. With several years of successful experience in sales and product management, he has effectively advocated on behalf of medical device companies before federal, defense, and state officials on critical healthcare issues. His professional background reflects a strong understanding of policy, strategy, and stakeholder engagement—skills that will serve HART and the community well.

Rico also brings valuable board-level leadership experience in both government and healthcare. He currently serves on the Corporate Board for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Tampa Bay and previously served as Board Treasurer for the Hillsborough County Hospital Authority. During his tenure, he played a key role in overseeing land use at Tampa General Hospital and approving a transformative $550 million capital improvement plan—demonstrating his ability to guide complex initiatives with long-term community impact.

Committed to service beyond the boardroom, Rico enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserves in 2016 and was commissioned in 2022 as a Finance Officer. In this role, he assists with formulating program policy, allocating manpower resources, and managing budgeting efforts for Total Force Integration. He earned his associate’s degree from the Community College of the Air Force and his bachelor’s degree from Trident University.

Rico remains actively involved in the community, volunteering with local veterans’ organizations and serving on the Congressional Veterans’ Advisory Committee for Congressman Gus Bilirakis. He also mentors junior investors in real estate and retirement planning. In his free time, he enjoys golfing and traveling with his family and friends.

HART looks forward to Rico’s leadership and perspective as the agency continues advancing safe, reliable, and innovative public transportation solutions for the residents of Hillsborough County.

Please join us in welcoming Ronrico “Rico” Smith to the HART Board of Directors.

Councilman Luis Viera Re-elected HART Chair by Board of Directors

Councilman Luis Viera

At its January 8 meeting, the Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) Board re-elected Councilman Luis Viera as Chair, Commissioner Michael Owen as Vice-Chair and Director Melanie Williams as Secretary of the HART Board of Directors for 2024.

Councilman Viera remains the HART Chair at a pivotal time for the organization. Chair Viera will serve a 1-year term.

Councilman Viera has been a Board member since February 2020 and has served on the Tampa City Council since 2016.

Councilman Viera is very active in the community. He is the former Chairman of the Hillsborough County Bar Association Diversity Committee and a former Chairman of the City of Tampa Civil Service Board. He is a founder and former President of Lawyers Autism Awareness Foundation and previously served on the Board of Tampa Bay Best Buddies, an organization that assists and advocates for persons with special needs and developmental disabilities. He was also the Incoming President of the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association and is a member of the George Edgecomb Bar Association. 

 

The HART Board is responsible for setting policy and making decisions for the Authority on matters ranging from system operations, service planning, fare structure, finance, and customer service. It is made up of 14 volunteers who are appointed to represent Hillsborough County (seven seats), City of Tampa (four seats), State of Florida (two seats) and City of Temple Terrace (one seat). Officers of the HART Board (chair, vice-chair and secretary) are elected annually.

For more information about HART service, visit www.goHART.org.

HART to Implement Service Changes on Sunday, December 10, 2023

HART is implementing service changes to several HART routes on Sunday, December 10, 2023, to improve efficiency and the customer experience.

Service with Routing Changes / Servicio con cambios de ruta: Routes 8 and 9

• Map (English / Spanish)

Minor Schedule Changes / Nuevos horarios: Routes 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 30, 31, 34, 36, 48, and HARTFlex Port Tampa

• Minor time point changes

Service with Reduced Frequency / La frecuencia se está reduciendo: Routes 19, 33

• Route 19 - Frequency reduced to hourly
• Route 33 - Frequency reduced to hourly to improve connections at UATC.

Increased Late Night Service (extra evening trip): Route 33

HART customers can visit goHART.org to view the service changes or contact Customer Service at (813) 254-4278 for more information.

HART Riders Can Now Pay Via Debit, Credit, Google Pay and Apple Pay!

Tampa Bay transit riders (HART/PSTA/The Bus) can now tap to ride across the region using credit and debit cards, digital wallets (Google Pay or Apple Pay), as well as the Flamingo Fares smartcard or mobile app.

"We are excited to offer our customers another way to pay their fare,” said Adelee Le Grand, Chief Executive Officer, HART. “Contactless payments on Flamingo Fares not only provide our customers with greater ease of access, removing another barrier from riding transit, but also assists in speeding up the boarding process, improving travel times.”

The Flamingo Fares system has fare capping implemented, meaning passengers always receive the lowest price as the system automatically caps prices whenever riders reach the daily or monthly thresholds. Riders using contactless payments (debit/credit/Google Pay/Apple Pay) will be able to take advantage of daily fare capping. 

Please note: Discount fare riders must use their Flamingo Fares smartcard or mobile app to receive the reduced fare. 

Attempts to use the same contactless payment multiple times (multiple riders) upon boarding will result in a failed transaction.

Flamingo Fares Tampa Bay launched in 2020.

To learn more about contactless payments and Flamingo Fares, visit www.FlamingoFares.com

HART to host Hiring Event on June 11!

Want a rewarding career in public transportation? HART is hiring! 

Join HART at a Hiring Event on Saturday, June 11, 2022, from 9 AM to 2 PM at the HART Operations Facility at 4305 East 21^st Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33605.

Careers are available in Operations, Maintenance, Finance, HR and more! On-site interviews will be conducted with bus operators and mechanics applicants. 

HART participates in Florida Retirement and offers a robust health package, tuition reimbursement, career advancement and more! 

On-air personality Katie Sommers from local radio station 933FLZ will be live from 10 AM-Noon with fun games and music.

Click here for a complete list of available careers and HART benefits. HART is a drug-free, safe work environment and an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Join the team that keeps Hillsborough County moving!

Mask Requirement on HART Service has Been Lifted

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced yesterday (April 18) the withdrawal of SD 1582/84-21-01E, requiring masks on public transportation and at public transportation facilities. The TSA will no longer enforce their mask-related security directives. 

As such, effective immediately, HART will no longer require masks on board our buses, vans, and streetcars and at our facilities including work offices. HART operators will no longer be required to enforce the mask requirement on our vehicles. 

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation environments. 

Customers and employees are still welcome to wear a mask in all settings.

HART to Hold Design Workshop for TOD Pilot Project

HART is hosting the second of two public design charrettes for the HART Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Pilot Project on Saturday, March 5, 2022. The charrette is being held from 10 AM - 2:30 PM at the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association - 2005 N Lamar Ave., Tampa, FL, 33602.

The purpose of the charrettes is to share information about the HART TOD Pilot Project, explore strategies to guide land use and development, and share ideas for the community's future.

HART TOD Design Charrette Schedule:

• Morning Design Session - 10:30 AM - 12 PM
• Afternoon Design Session - 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

The community will have the opportunity to hear a project update on the HART TOD Study and provide input via interactive map exercises.

For more information about the HART TOD Pilot Project and announcements on upcoming events, visit goHARTTOD.org.

For more information about HART service, visit www.goHART.org.

HART Once Again Joins Transit Peers Nationwide to "Sound the Horn" for Transit Workers!

HART is once again joining transit systems across the county in conjunction with the American Public Transit Association (APTA) to “Sound the Horn” on June 18, 2020 at 3 p.m. in recognition of the heroic actions of public transportation employees who continue performing critically essential work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At 3 p.m. on Thursday, all HART buses, streetcars, and vans in service will simultaneously sound two one-second horn blasts in solidarity with trains, buses and boats from around the country.

Public transit remains a vital lifeline for thousands of riders, including essential workers in health care, public safety, food production, distribution and more.

The community is invited to show their support for public transportation workers on social media using #HARTHeroes, #HeroesMovingHeroes, and #SoundTheHorn.

HART Joins Transit Peers Across the Country to "Sound the Horn" for Transit Workers!

HART is once again joining transit systems across the county in conjunction with the American Public Transit Association (APTA) to “Sound the Horn” on May 21, 2020 at 3 p.m. in recognition of the heroic actions of public transportation employees who continue performing critically essential work during COVID-19.

At 3 p.m. on Thursday, all HART buses, streetcars, and vans in service will simultaneously sound two one-second horn blasts in solidarity with trains, buses and boats from around the country.

Public transit remains a vital lifeline for thousands of riders, including essential workers in health care, public safety, food production and distribution, utilities and government operations.

The community is invited to show their support for public transportation workers on social media using the #HeroesMovingHeroes and #SoundTheHorn.

Get on Board with Public Transportation on April 25!

HART joins other public transportation systems nationwide participating in National Get On Board Day on Thursday, April 25.

Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the 2019 National Get On Board Day is a day that encourages people to support public transportation and showcases the benefits it brings to communities. Each weekday in the U.S., 34 million people board public transportation. Locally, HART covers a service area roughly the size of Rhode Island (over 1,000 sq. miles) and carries 34,000 passenger trips daily.

HART will be participating in Get on Board Day by displaying public transportation facts at HART facilities and gathering signatures from customers and employees in support of transit.

Additionally, public transportation is a cornerstone of local economies in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Public transportation helps to make a community economically prosperous and competitive. According to APTA, every $1 invested in public transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns, powering community growth and revitalization.

With a unified voice, the transportation industry will come together on April 25, 2019 to highlight the many benefits public transit provides to communities.

Please show your support and Get on Board on Thursday!

Ride HART FREE on Earth Day!

Public transportation takes cars (and their pollution) off the road!

The ultimate green initiative is public transportation!

Consider yourself environmentally conscious? Have energy-efficient light bulbs, low-flow shower-heads, and recycle bins in your house, but then drive a gas guzzler to work? There is still work to be done! Use Earth Day as a chance to give the ultimate green initiative a try - public transportation! You just might find out how easy it is to go on a car-free diet.

According to APTA, public transportation reduces energy consumption to the tune of 4.2 billion gallons of gas a year, or the equivalent to 320 million cars filling up - 900,000 times a day. A household's biggest carbon footprint contributor is their car. One person switching their 20-mile commute to public transportation can also reduce their carbon footprint by 4,800 pounds of CO2 annually. CO2, or carbon dioxide emissions have been linked to global climate change.

Ride Free on Earth Day

Ride FREE on Earth Day!

Still not convinced? How about a FREE ride on HART in celebration of Earth Day? Grab a friend, make a day of it, and try HART. We are providing FREE rides on all services on Monday, April 22.

We believe you will be pleasantly surprised at how affordable, clean, and convenient it is to get around with HART.

The cherry on top? There is a good chance that you'll be riding in a clean-burning, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus or van, as HART transitions our fleet away from diesel. HART currently operates 70 CNG buses.

Try transit! Your planet (and wallet) will thank you!

To calculate your carbon emissions savings by switching to transit, visit APTA's Carbon Emissions Savings Calculator.

Show Love for Transit!

What better time than the "season of love" to proclaim your love for transit?

Maybe it's not having to worry about driving in heavy traffic? Or, the considerable cost savings associated with giving up the wheel? Maybe environmental considerations, or the health benefits?

Whatever the reason may be, let us know why you love taking transit and you might receive FREE tickets to the Florida State Fair! Post your main reason for loving transit on the HART Facebook page, or tag us on Twitter. We will randomly pick 4 winners on Thursday to receive a family pack of "Anyday Armbands," providing admission on all rides for any day of the Fair (Feb. 8-19).

Show some Transit Love and get some love in return!

Change Your Life with Transit in 2018!

Try Transit in 2018!

With the New Year fast approaching, many are looking at doing things differently in 2018. Nationwide, individuals are looking to eat better, reduce stress and save money. Make the most of this goodwill by trying transit in the New Year and get on track to accomplishing all 3 resolutions!
Drum roll please... 

The Top Reasons to Try Transit in 2018

Getting out of the comfort zone of your car may seem daunting and scary, so why not make it a 2018 must-do by adding it to the resolution list? Plus, here are some (good) reasons to try transit in 2018:

1. Save, save, save. A second car in Tampa Bay costs a family on average about $700/month, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). A HART monthly bus pass is $65. That’s $635 in monthly savings! Use APTA’s transit calculator to find out what it costs to drive a personal vehicle versus trying transit.

2. Go green. This is the generation that’s doing it differently! Many residents have made daily changes as part of their personal going green initiative: energy-efficient light bulbs, reusable grocery bags, and low-flow shower heads. Next stop on going green: Ride HART.

Read a book, listen to music, relax and let HART drive!

3. Reduce stress. It’s no secret driving in gridlock traffic is stressful. Kick the car habit, and don’t “stress” about how to get home from work. The Emergency Ride Home program makes it easy to rely on transit by ensuring a ride home in case of an emergency or unplanned situation. Learn more at www.tampabayrideshare.org

4. Reach fitness goals. Regular exercise is a common New Year’s resolution. Taking the bus is an easy way to get in the recommended minimum daily 30 minutes of physical activity, according to the 2005 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Transit users are 3x more likely than non-transit users to meet that recommendation. Why use a treadmill at a smelly gym when you could be going places instead!

5. Everyone else is doing it. HART riders, who make up the more than 12 million in yearly bus trips, can’t be wrong! They are enjoying more safety, less stress and use technology like OneBusAway Tampa and the Google Trip Planner to help them plan their trips.

6. Bike and ride. Each HART bus accommodates two bikes. By combining buses and bikes, commuters can greatly expand their range of travel.

7. Ride and fly. Frequent air travelers can take advantage of new service to Tampa International Airport! Following the launch of Mission MAX, the newly created Route 60LX provides service between Westfield Brandon and Northwest Transfer Center (with stops in Downtown and the Airport). Route 60LX joins route(s) 30 and 32 with service to the Airport. Workers along this route need only to park at the office and hop aboard the nearest stop. Save considerable cash, compared to even the cheapest Uber/Lyft ride!

8. Again, savings, savings, savings. The Commuter Transit Benefit provides individuals a monthly up-to $260 tax benefit towards using public transportation.

Change your life in 2018, start with HART!

HART Announces Selection of Jeffrey Seward as Interim CEO

Today the HART Board of Directors appointed Jeffrey Seward to serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective December 4, while the Board conducts a national search for a permanent replacement.

The Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve Seward, a 6-year HART employee who currently serves as Chief Financial Officer, to succeed Katharine Eagan who recently announced her departure after nearly eight years of service, to be CEO of the Port Authority of Allegheny County, Pa. Her last day at HART will be January 5.

A graduate of Columbia College, Seward also holds a Master of Public Administration degree from California Lutheran University. Prior to joining HART, he made valuable contributions while working as the Chief Financial Planning Officer for Sarasota County. As Chief Financial Planning Officer, he was responsible for the management and execution of the County's billion dollar annual budget, managing to build reserves to the point where very few services were required to be cut during the height of the recession. He also was instrumental in the financing strategy and planning for a $32 million major league baseball facility, which led to the Baltimore Orioles' making Sarasota its new spring training home.

"Jeff is a highly respected individual with the experience necessary to manage an agency as complex as HART," said HART Board Chair Commissioner Lesley "Les" Miller. "His 31 years of  experience in local government, private-sector and military experience makes him the perfect fit, and his already strong knowledge of HART and plans for the future of the agency will help ensure a smooth transition period for the agency. We are grateful for Jeff's strong commitment to HART."

Seward originally joined HART in 2011 as Chief Financial Officer, where he is responsible for account & financial reporting, budget, cash management, internal audit, procurement, contracts administration, grants & planning, environmental management sustainability and project management.   

Seward has distinguished himself as a dynamic and results-driven CFO who has consistently developed balanced budgets, developed strong financial policies,  ISO 14001:2004 certification for its Environmental Sustainability and Management System (ESMS), established project management, joint procurements with PSTA, negotiated deals with MegaBus and Red Coach. Also, spearheaded the Regional Fare Collection System which will allow riders to travel throughout the greater Tampa Bay area using a single fare processing system.   

Driven by a profound commitment to public service, Seward was named 2014 CFO of the Year in the Tampa Bay Business Journal's government agency category. Seward speaks nationally and internationally on the agency's sustainability and carbon reduction initiatives to reduce the agency's impact on global warming. He was recently a guest speaker at the Annual Climate Change: Impacts and Responses conference at Anglia-Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK.

He and his wife Theresa have four children; Noah 17, Tyler 23, Jordan 24, and Zachary 27.

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!

Dump the Pump with HART!

Save $ and the planet by "Dumping the Pump" Thursday!

HART is joining public transportation agencies across the country by participating in the 12th Annual "National Dump the Pump Day" on Thursday, June 15, 2017.

We know HART riders make a commitment to "Dump the Pump" each weekday by taking transit. With over 45,000 daily trips, they know riding HART is a more productive commute, that also reduces air pollution and saves money on gas.

HART wants to see how you "Dump the Pump" during your commute.

HART is inviting passengers to show their support of public transit by taking a picture of themselves whether it is riding the bus, carpooling, walking, biking or even telecommuting! Upload a photo of yourself showing how you "Dump the Pump" to social media with the hashtag #DumpThePump.

Taking transit saves money on gas, wear and tear on a vehicle, relieves traffic congestion, creates cleaner air, and gives you extra time to text, or just relax.

Help spread the word about the many benefits of riding public transportation!

Over 45k trips taken on HART daily!

Quick Facts

Public Transportation provides economic opportunities, drives community growth and revitalization.

• Over 65 percent of the trips taken on public transit are work commutes.
• Every $1 billion invested in public transportation supports and creates more than 50,000 jobs.
• Residential property values performed 42% better on average if they were located near public transportation with high-frequency service.
  

Saving Fuel, Time and Money

Riding public transportation is an economical way to save money. The latest APTA Transit Savings Report shows that a two person household that downsizes to one car can save - on the average - more than $9,377 a year. Access to the HART transit network, provides transportation to work, school, and travel to medical and other appointments.

Environmental Benefits

Public transportation systems help to create a healthier environment by reducing pollutants and greenhouses gases. Research from APTA shows that public transportation reduces carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons, and saves the equivalent of 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline in the United States annually. Locally, HART provided more than 14,550,000 trips in FY 2016.

Health Benefits

• Transit users are 3x more likely to reach their recommended level of activity, simply by walking to and from the bus stop.
• Using public transportation helps reduce the stress of driving, while also allowing users to socialize (on board, and with friends at events), read books, etc.

#DumpThePump today and everyday! Visit www.goHART.org for trip planning, schedules, and more.

The Regional Transit Feasibility Plan Moves to Step Two!

The Regional Transit Feasibility Plan is not just another study!

The Regional Transit Feasibility Plan is underway! Headed by HART, the goal of the plan will identify:

• Projects that have the greatest potential to be funded (compete for federal grants) and implemented
• Projects that are the most forward thinking and make the best use of today’s technology
• Projects that best serve our region today while supporting tomorrow’s growth 

The Florida Department of Transportation is funding the study, while Hillsborough (HART, Hillsborough County MPO), Pinellas (PSTA, Pinellas County MPO), Pasco (PCPT, Pasco MPO), and the Tampa Bay TMA Leadership Group are stakeholders on the project.  

Step One was recently completed, identifying the top 5 "most attractive" corridors. An overview (with narration) of the identified corridors can be found here. The Technical Bulletin can be found here.

Step Two is now underway, focusing on a sensitivity analysis of the five connections to assign transit modes that make the most sense. This effort will continue into the coming months.

Once transit modes are assigned to the top performing connections, the next steps will focus on evaluating the modes, developing high level cost estimates, determining implementation feasibility, and estimating ridership and mobility.

Want to be a part of the process? Please fill out this short online survey on your transit preferences!

For more information on the Regional Transit Feasibility Plan, visit the website: www.tbregionaltransit.com.

Regional Transit Feasibility Plan to identify “catalyst project” in Tampa Bay

The RTFP is looking at over 30 years of studies

There has been no shortage of transit studies in the Tampa Bay area in recent years. In fact, over the past 30 years, more than 55 plans and studies for transit have been conducted by Tampa Bay area agencies.

But the question remains: How can we turn planning into projects? Answering this question is the goal of the Regional Transit Feasibility Plan.

Creation of the plan started in November 2016, with a review of those 55 previous plans. After that work is complete, the process will move into creating a plan for a regional transit network, culminating in recommendations for improvements that address needs in the community and have a solid chance of getting funding.

The ultimate goal: identify the top transit corridors in the Tampa Bay region, while determining one “catalyst project” that would be eligible for federal funding and could be implemented first.

The plan is being funded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and is being administered by the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART).

“Our mission is to create a ‘route map’ to implementation,” said Katharine Eagan, Chief Executive Officer of HART, the agency administering the plan. “The result, we hope, will be a catalyst project that’s the first of many projects that will be competitive for federal funding, forward thinking, and makes the best use of today’s technology.”

The Tampa Bay region is defined for this plan as the urbanized areas of Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties.

The Regional Transit Feasibility Plan will be conducted in two phases. The first phase consists of a year of technical analysis to identify the most competitive projects. During the first year, the milestones will include identifying the most promising corridors for transit, then identifying what type of transit mode can best serve those corridors, and finally, determining which projects could potentially be implemented first.

How did we get here?

 

 

The starting point for the Regional Transit Feasibility Plan is the adopted county and regional Long Range Transportation Plans and the more than 50 plans and studies completed by Tampa Bay area agencies over the past 30-plus years. The step-by-step process will then determine which projects are the most competitive for implementation.

During phase one, public involvement will be heavily focused on digital communication (website, online surveys, social media, and e-communication) but will also offer many in-person opportunities to get engaged (community workshops, small group meetings, and a stakeholder working group).

Phase two will involve vetting and refining plans for those specific projects to make sure the catalyst project selected is the best project for the region and is supported by the community. During phase two, a wide range of communication tools will be utilized, including public meetings, workshops, special events, the website, social media, town halls, and regional transit forums.

“The simplest way to describe what it takes to build a premium transit project is by answering the following three questions: What is the project? How is it funded? And who is responsible for building and maintaining it?” Eagan said. “During this plan, we will be addressing the first question and identifying possible next steps so the region can move forward with answering questions two and three.”

To learn more about the Regional Transit Feasibility Plan, and to participate in our transit preference survey, visit the project website at www.tbregionaltransit.com.

Go Green on Black Friday!

HART is open for business throughout the holiday weekend and residents are invited to "Go Green" on "Black Friday," while avoiding the stress of driving and parking.

On Black Friday, residents can take advantage of routes that connect to most shopping centers, including:

• International Plaza: Route 15
• University Mall: Routes 12, 45
• Westfield Brandon: Routes 8, 37 and HARTFlex
• Westfield Citrus Park: Route 39
• Westshore Plaza: Routes 15, 30 and 45

Brandon/Northdale Flex will operate on Black Friday

In addition, Brandon and Northdale residents may take advantage of HARTFlex for curbside service by just making a two-hour advance reservation. These reservations may be made by calling 813-449-4555.

Schedule for Nov. 24, Thanksgiving Day

HART local bus routes and HARTPlus will operate a Sunday schedule.
    The following services will not operate:

• TECO Line Streetcar System
• Commuter Express Routes
• In-Town Trolley
• HARTFlex

University Area Transit Center, Marion Transit Center, HART on Franklin and all other HART offices will be closed.

Schedule for Nov. 25, Black Friday

HART local bus routes; HARTFlex in Brandon and Northdale; and HARTPlus will operate a Saturday schedule.  The TECO Line Streetcar System will operate 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.
 
The following services will not operate:

• Commuter Express Routes
• In-Town Trolley
• HARTFlex in South County, South Tampa and Town 'N Country

University Area Transit Center and Marion Transit Center will be open.  HART on Franklin and all other HART offices will be closed.

View the HART website for schedules, maps and fare information.

For more information, HART Customer Service will be open throughout the entire holiday weekend at 813-254-4278 or 813-626-9158 (TDD).

Study Finds Public Transportation can Replicate Car Benefits via Accessible Mobile Information

HART social media outlets

Does the idea of navigating a transit system intimidate you? A new transit study from Next American City Magazine and Latitude Research suggests that new, real-time technology (i.e. apps, social media, etc.) allowing riders to make decisions in real-time, makes transit sexier and equal to the automobile experience.

The study which featured 18 car commuters voluntarily going car-free for a week, found that "while users value the freedom and control a car provides, mobile information solutions could replicate this sense of autonomy without needing to own a car—primarily by helping users to make informed, in-the-moment decisions about what’s available near them and the best ways to get around".

The "freedom" of the open road

Basically, commuters want freedom. Traditionally, cars and other motor vehicles have been associated with freedom, as showcased by the 1969 film, Easy Rider, featuring Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda cruising across the United States on motorcycles in search of true America.

Participants in the study cited "convenience, flexibility, and control" as the chief advantages of the car. However, this study finds that transit can "replicate these 'experience-based' benefits" from users who travel without a car. Transit becomes more accessible and flexible when riders are provided the tools to plan their trips on-the-go.

The majority of participants found that in addition to the freedom that transit provides, money savings and health benefits could lead them to reduce their car use and even give up their cars completely.

Below are some highlights from the study:

Technology levels the playing field between public transportation and the automobile. "Comfort," "status," etc. all were not named by participants as benefits of driving. Being in "control" however, was noted as one of the biggest benefits of driving, which the study notes that new technology provides transit users. Applications now provide riders with maps, real-time and scheduled arrival times, and customer service and interaction via social media.

The automobile takes away your sense of community. Twice as many participants than expected, felt more "integrated into their communities" as a result of giving up their car.

“This week I’ve really enjoyed walking along Market Street and discovering what a fantastic city I live in,” explains Mark V., a study participant from San Francisco. “I always knew it was a great place to live, but being forced to rely on public transportation only reinforced this."

Car free benefits go beyond the user. Top three motivators amongst the participants were "better for the environment," "money-saving" and "healthier". Car-free lifestyles benefit everyone. Public Transportation can save an individual up to $10,000 annually in car savings, along with commuter tax benefits provided by employers. Public Transportation saves 37 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (which affect the Earth's temperature) and 4.2 billion gallons of gas in the United States annually. Taking the bus also helps to meet the recommended 30 minutes of moderate daily exercise.

It's an interesting look at how the mediums used to receive information, entertainment, and social interaction continue to evolve. Patrons can now watch TV, order food and find out the next scheduled arrival of their bus, all on their smartphones. Technology continues to change the way we live.

Do you agree with the findings? Does the control, convenience and flexibility provided by modern technology place public transportation on equal playing ground with the automobile? Would you be willing to try a car-free diet?

If you're interested in a further look at the study, it's a three part blog series which can be found on Next American City's blog, here.