Hop on HART this School Year!

Welcome back, students! Another semester is here. If you're planning on using HART this school year, below is a quick reference guide on connecting to HART and the special fares available from your school.

What is HART?

Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) is the public transportation service provider for Hillsborough County. HART serves Hillsborough County's employees, residents and visitors with bus, and van services. HART also operates the FREE 2.7-mile TECO Line Streetcar System, serving the restaurants, attractions and other entertainment venues of Ybor City, the Channel District and downtown Tampa.

HART Adult Student Fare program:

Schools participating in the HART Adult Student Fare program sell HART fare cards to their students for a 25% discount. Students can purchase a 31-Day Local Adult Student Fare Card for only $48.75 (normally $65) at their respective schools by showing their valid student ID. Please note, the adult student discount is not applicable if the pass is purchased at traditional HART sales outlets.

Click here for a listing of participating schools.

What's a fare card worth, if you can't connect to your school?

Luckily, HART has you covered with multiple routes connecting to over 20 colleges in Hillsborough County. Below, you'll find a listing of some of the schools that HART serves with bus, van, and streetcar services.

University of South Florida (USF)

USF Students ride HART FREE!

The following HART routes serve the USF area:

• MetroRapid (Route 400) - UATC/Fletcher Ave.
• Route 1 - Florida Ave.
• Route 5 - 40th St.
• Route 6 - 56th St.
• Route 9 - 15th St.
• Route 12 - 22nd St.
• Route 33 - Fletcher Ave.
• Route 42 - UATC
• Route 44 - UATC
• Route 45- UATC
• Route 48 - Fowler Ave./56th St./Morris Bridge
• Route 275LX - Bruce B. Downs Blvd./UATC

Students ride FREE on MetroRapid, HART Local, Limited Express and Flex routes with valid student ID. Faculty and staff ride for just 50¢.

For information on the U-Pass program, click here.

Hillsborough Community College (HCC)

We have a number of routes serving the HCC campuses throughout the county:

• Dale Mabry campus - Route(s) 7, 36
• Brandon campus - Route 37
• SouthShore campus - Route 31, HARTFlex South County
• Ybor City campus - Route(s) 5, 9, 12, the FREE TECO Line Streetcar

HCC Semester Pass: HCC students can purchase the HCC Semester Pass, providing over 4 months of unlimited rides on HART for just $110 - roughly 50% off! The Semester Pass can be purchased at all HCC Bookstores or by bringing your HCC Student ID to the Marion Transit Center or University Area Transit Center. The HCC Semester Pass is now a part of Flamingo Fares.

Students can also purchase a 31-Day Local Adult Student Fare Card for $48.75 at the bookstores of HCC's Dale Mabry, Brandon and Ybor City campuses.

 

UT students receive a 25% discount on 31-day passes

University of Tampa (UT)

HART serves UT via the following routes:

• Route 7 - West Tampa/Citrus Park
• Route 10 - Cypress St.
• Route 30 - Town 'N Country/Airport

Plan your school commute with HART

Your best bet is the HART Trip Planner. Simply type in your starting and endpoints, arrival time/date, hit "get directions," and let the planner do the rest.

Real-time HART arrival information and trip planning are also available with the OneBusAway Tampa app!

HART Travel Training 

The first Travel Training ride is FREE!

Need some assistance in getting started? HART Travel Training is a GREAT way to learn the ropes of riding public transportation. The service is FREE with trainers providing step-by-step instructions on how to understand the HART system (reading a map, signage, etc.) and figure out the best route that will take you to your destination.

You can call the HARTinfo line at 813-254-4278 to get started!

Have a GREAT semester!

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 to Hold Public Hearing for Amended FY22 Budget

HART is holding Public Hearings on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in relation to an amendment to the FY22 Proposed Operating Budget.

The FY22 Budget Amendment details can be found here.

The public has until Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at 7 PM to provide comments.

Ways to provide public comment: 

• Public Hearing - Wednesday, July 13, 2022; 11:30 AM - 1 PM (virtual option available) & 5:30 PM - 7 PM (virtual option available)
• Marion Transit Center, 1211 N. Marion St., 2nd Floor, Tampa, FL 33602
• SeeClickFix - Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) | SeeClickFix | Add a photo
• Customer Service Phoneline - (813) 254-4278

TECO Line Streetcar Service Hours Extended for Boom by the Bay

HART is extending TECO Line Streetcar service hours until MIDNIGHT for Boom by the Bay attendees and the general public.

Boom by the Bay officials encourage residents to utilize FREE streetcar service or FREE rubber-wheeled shuttle service to the fireworks celebration to avoid the cost of parking and the stress of congestion.

The TECO Line Streetcar is free and operates every 15 minutes between historic Ybor City and Downtown Tampa. 

The free Boom by the Bay Shuttle will operate from 7 PM - 11 PM. Attendees can catch the Shuttle from the East Platform at the Marion Transit Center.

HART bus and van service will operate on a Sunday schedule on Monday in observance of Independence Day. Route 19 will be on detour from 4 PM - Midnight on Monday for Boom by the Bay. Routes operating in Downtown Tampa may see delays due to event traffic.

Have a safe and fun Fourth of July!

Be Prepared this Hurricane Season!

HART provides Emergency Evacuation Service

With the Atlantic hurricane season officially beginning on June 1st, it's a great reminder of the importance of having a severe weather plan BEFORE a storm hits. Unlike earthquakes or tornadoes, which can happen in an instant, hurricanes tend to provide a lot of warning.

HART buses run special evacuation routes for people who need transportation to shelters. HART and the Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) urge you to make arrangements now for the safety of your family, should a storm force you from your home.

HART Emergency Evacuation service is not limited to hurricane evacuation, however. The EOC can call on HART as an official evacuation partner of Hillsborough County to implement service in an emergency evacuation situation, providing it is safe to do so.

Know your plan

Map of Hillsborough County Evacuation Routes

For the safety of our riders and employees, regular HART service will cease if sustained winds reach 39 mph. HART was forced to cease service prior to Tropical Storm Elsa last year.

HART service will also cease if the EOC instructs HART to begin operation of Emergency Evacuation service after shelters have opened.

Our emergency routes are designed to transport people from low-lying areas to higher ground.

Because of this, if a major storm threatens our area, you should plan for the possibility of service interruptions.

To minimize inconvenience to our customers, we will announce the need to interrupt service as early in the day as possible and will work to restore service just as soon as it is safe to do so.

The primary goal is to be prepared and have a plan. Don't wait until the last minute to make arrangements or you may find yourself stranded.

For more detailed information on the service and service plans in case of emergency, please click here.

For information on Hillsborough County shelters, weather alerts, etc. please visit Hillsborough County Emergency Management page.

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!

HART to Implement Service Changes on May 29, 2022

HART is implementing service changes for several HART routes on Sunday, May 29, 2022. HART is enacting the changes to improve the customer experience.

Summary of Service Changes

Service with Schedule Changes:

• Route 7
• Route 8
• Route 9
• Route 10
• Route 14
• Route 17
• Route 30
• Route 32
• Route 36
• Route 37
• Route 38

Customers can visit www.goHART.org to view updated schedules, a summary of the service changes and more information on HART service.

Customers with questions can contact HART Customer Service at 813-254-4278.