HART Seeks Public Input on Route 1 Fare-Free Pilot

HART is inviting customers to participate in a new survey to help gather feedback on the City of Tampa-funded Route 1 Fare-free Pilot. The customer survey is open through Sunday, June 15, 2025.

The survey will gather critical community input on the fare-free Route 1 pilot and overall transit needs.

The Route 1 Fare-free pilot was launched in January 2025 to explore the benefits of fare-free service on one of Tampa’s key transit corridors. The pilot removed the fare on Route 1 and increased frequency on Route 1 from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes during peak hours. The Pilot is scheduled to end in January 2026.

Community members who ride Route 1 are encouraged to participate and help inform long-term planning, including service expansion and evaluating the success and future of fare-free options like the Route 1 Pilot.

The survey is quick to complete and available in English and Spanish.

Survey Links:

• English: Route 1 Rider Survey
• Spanish: Encuesta para pasajeros de la Ruta 1

HART's Route 1 Goes Fare-free for a Year!

HART is excited to announce that its most popular route, Route 1, is now fare-free for one year. The pilot, which launched Sunday, January 5, 2025, is possible thanks to Tampa City Council allocating $1.65 million in city funds to support free fares and increasing peak service frequency to every 15 minutes.

Route 1, which serves nearly 3,000 daily customers, operates between the University area and downtown Tampa, providing vital transportation services to thousands of residents.

Approximately 32,000 residents and 56,000 jobs within a quarter mile of Route 1. Notably, 18% of the population in this area does not own a car, more than a quarter live below the poverty line, 14% have a disability, and 64% are minorities.

“We are thrilled to work with the City of Tampa to provide this essential service to the community, which will not only ease the financial burden on our riders but also increase service on the route, supporting those who rely on HART to access jobs, education, and healthcare,” said HART CEO Scott Drainville. “This initiative represents a meaningful step toward making transit more equitable and accessible for all.”

The initiative also includes an additional $150,000 in paratransit services, ensuring that transportation remains accessible to those with disabilities.

"This is a major win for mass transit in our Tampa community," said HART Chair Councilman Luis Viera. "I thank the Council members who helped us move past the acute gridlock and, in particular, I salute Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak for her leadership. This proposal will make a difference in the lives of everyday working families. I am proud to work with the public servants, both Republican and Democrat, on our HART board. We work together for the families that HART serves and the workers who make HART function.”

Click here for background on the Route 1 Fare-Free Pilot.

HART Needs Input on Proposed Program of Projects for FY2023

HART receives federal funding annually through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) which is used for operating expenses and capital projects. HART staff has developed a proposed FY 2023 Program of Projects (POP) to utilize this funding. 

A Public Hearing is scheduled for June 1, 2023, from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM; 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM at the Marion Transit Center (1211 N Marion St, Tampa, FL 33602) to give individuals and/or groups the opportunity to present their views and comments regarding HART’s proposed application for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Urbanized Area formula funds.

The public may also provide comment via:

• HART Website - Comments/Suggestions
• Mobile - OneBusAway Tampa app
• Mail - HART, attention to Community Engagement, 1201 E. 7th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605
• Phone - HART Customer Service (813) 254-4278

HART welcomes all comments on or before June 1, 2023. 

If no material changes are made, this will be the final HART Program of Projects for FY 2023.

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 Requests Public Input on Bus Rapid Transit Study!

HART needs public input on the HART Tampa Arterial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Study, evaluating rapid bus service along Florida, Nebraska and/or Fowler avenues, between USF and downtown Tampa. HART has released a short survey to understand how respondents travel in the study area and the types of improvements they would like to see.

The study's objectives are: 

1. to improve safety on these routes
2. to improve connectivity for east-west routes within this corridor
3. to improve local transit access on these roads, including bike/pedestrian access

The public survey is available online in both English and Spanish.

For more information on the HART Tampa Arterial BRT Study, click here.

FREE Holiday Shuttle Service for Light The Heights!

Support the Seminole Heights community on Sunday!

The holidays are a special time of the year, where magic exists in the hope of the new year, and the compassion and selflessness of the giving season.

The last few months have been quite difficult for the Seminole Heights area. However, with the help of the Tampa Bay community, we can help the Heights come back even stronger!

The Heights Urban Core Chamber is teaming up with local businesses and HART to Light the Heights on December 10th!
 
The event kicks off Sunday, with a motorcycle ride coordinated by Members of Monica Hoffa's family. The ride will roar through Seminole Heights, into Southeast Seminole Heights, to visit the four memorial sites. It will start in Lutz and will regroup at the Tampa Greyhound Track, before rolling down Nebraska Avenue.

Local restaurants, bars, stores, etc. will offer specials throughout the day. Once the sun goes to rest, you can enjoy the lights of Seminole Heights!

HART Holiday Shuttle Route

To show our support for the Seminole Heights community, we will be operating a FREE Holiday-themed Shuttle (with Santa) on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m, with service every 30 minutes. The holiday-themed In-Tower will circulate along a route with 18 stops at participating Seminole Heights' businesses.

Light the Heights is a great opportunity to Shop Local!

With the FREE shuttle in place, event officials highly recommend parking in designated lots and taking the shuttle between businesses throughout the day. Help reduce congestion in the area, and your stress level!

Join us on Sunday, as we come together to Light The Heights!

Statement from HART CEO Katharine Eagan on Seminole Heights Murders

The recent senseless acts of violence in Seminole Heights are something that no family or neighborhood should have to endure. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families of Anthony Naiboa, Monica Caridad Hoffa and Benjamin Edward Mitchell.

Please call 1-800-873-8477 if you have any info on this individual

HART is actively participating with the Tampa Police Department to provide any information that can assist in this investigation. Additionally, we've rerouted Route 9 via 22nd Street from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Hillsborough Avenue from the hours of 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. The change will remain in effect while the investigation continues.

We will continue to partner with law enforcement throughout the investigation and communicate safety information to our customers, both online and in print. We ask that anyone with information that can aid in the identification and capture of the suspect or suspects, please contact Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-8477 or www.crimestopperstb.com.

  

- Katharine Eagan

Route of the Week: Route 34

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 34 operates between NWTC and Netp@rk

This week, we feature Route 34 as the Route of the Week!

Route 34 operates 7 days a week between Northwest Transfer Center and Netp@rk Transfer Center. Service operates Weekdays from 4:50 a.m. - 12:05 a.m. and on Weekends from 6:00 a.m. - 9:25 p.m.

Route 34 is currently the third busiest HART route, and our busiest east-west route. Roughly 620,000 rides have been taken so far in FY2016!

Operating mostly along Hillsborough Avenue, Route 34 serves parts of Town 'N Country, Seminole Heights, and East Tampa, providing residents with a healthy set of restaurant and entertainment options.

Here are some highlights:

Credit: Ichicoro Ramen

Once a blighted area, Seminole Heights has turned into a growing culinary and leisure destination. In terms of food, the area is a mix of culinary styles from fresh Mexican food at the original Taco Bus, to elevated American comfort food (Ella's Americana Folk Art Cafe,) and ramen, rice bowls, etc. (Ichicoro Ramen).

Those looking for Happy Hour, will want to check out the Independent Bar and Cafe, offering 14 taps of craft beer with a cafe menu, and Red Star Rock Bar, with live music on Friday and Saturday nights!

Those looking for family fun in Town 'N Country have quite a few options to check out as well:

• Skateworld of Tampa features arcade games, laser tag, bounce houses, and a skating rink
• Pin Chasers Veterans is a 40-lane bowling alley feature pool, darts, etc.
• Northwest Family YMCA features a swimming pool, along with basketball, football, and soccer!
• Twistee Treat serves up ice cream scoops, sundaes, malts, and hot dogs!

Other Route 34 destinations include:

• Everest University - Students receive 25% off a 31-day pass
  
• Erwin Technical College - Students receive 25% off a 31-day pass
  
• Yummy House China Bistro
• Sanwa Farmer's Market
• United Skates of America

Riders can transfer to Routes 1,2,5,6,7,9,12,14,15,16,18,30,32,36,37,39,41,45,57,61LX, and MetroRapid from Route 34.

From Ella's to Everest University, HART Takes You There.

Route of the Week: Route 1

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 1 is our featured Route of the Week!  The route operates every 20 minutes between downtown Tampa and the area surrounding The University of South Florida. The Route 1 operates weekdays from 4:00 a.m. - 12:20 a.m.; Saturday from 6:15 a.m. - 10:15 p.m.; Sunday service from 6:15 a.m. - 8:35 p.m.

Route 1 is currently our 2nd busiest weekday route with 3,671 rides daily. The route averages roughly 98k monthly riders.

The Refinery is a James Beard nominated restaurant

Heading north from Marion Transit Center, along Florida Ave., is a growing gourmet dining scene set among the 1920s-era bungalows on Florida Ave. in Seminole Heights. Fodder and Shine, Front Porch Grille, Ichicoro Ramen, The Refinery and Rooster & The Till make up a who's who of the local dining scene. Cappy's Pizzeria, a Seminole Heights institution, is also served by the route.

Hillsborough County's oldest public high school, Hillsborough High, and Memorial Middle School are only a short walk from Route 1 stops on Florida Ave. Students should note that Hillsborough County middle and high school students ride HART free until June 10 with their valid school ID or HART-issued Youth ID.

Sulphur Springs Water Tower

Heading north of Sligh Ave., it's hard to miss the iconic Sulphur Springs Water Tower. Once served by streetcar, the tower is now served by Route 1. The tower was historically part of a resort called the Sulphur Springs Hotel and Apartments. The tower once provided the area with fresh drinking water. Hop off at Florida Ave. and Bird St. to see the local landmark.

The Route 1 then departs Florida Ave. at Fletcher Ave. before turning on to Nebraska Ave.

Looking for fun for the whole family? Grand Prix Tampa provides 15 acres of go kart racing, arcade, ropes course, mini golf and more! Grand Prix Tampa is located at 14320 N Nebraska Ave.

Turning right on Skipper Rd., you will find yourself at the famous Skipper's Smokehouse. "Hippies use the side door," as this hippie haven/restaurant/music venue serves up delicious wings and smokin' tunes nightly!

The Route 1 provides transfer options at 3 different HART Facilities: Marion Transit Center, Yukon Transfer Center and University Area Transit Center (UATC).

Our northbound Route 1 trip ends at UATC.

From Ramen, to landmarks, HART Takes You There.

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.