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Hillsborough Area Regional Transit

Slogan	Driven to Serve You
Founded	1980
Headquarters	1201 E. 7th Avenue
Locale	Tampa, Florida
Service area	Hillsborough County
Service type	bus service, paratransit
Routes	48 (27 local, 13 express, 4 connector, 2 trolley, 2 shuttle)
Hubs	Downtown Tampa, USF Area
Stations	South Tampa, West Tampa, Town-N-Country, University Mall, WestShore Plaza, Westfield Brandon, East Tampa, Sulfur Springs, Carrollwood, SouthShore
Fleet	198
Daily ridership	37,000 ((approx.) monthly ridership is around 1 million) [1]
Fuel type	Diesel, Diesel-electric hybrid
Chief executive	David Armijo
Web site	gohart.org

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (also known as the Hillsborough Transit Authority [2](HART)) provides public transportation for Hillsborough County, Florida. The agency provides fixed-route local and express bus service, door-to-door paratransit service (HARTplus), and manages the TECO Line Streetcar System.

Fares

Effective as of November 2, 2008

• One-Way Cash Fares
  • HART Local: $1.75 - Discount*: $0.85
  • Neighborhood Connector (Routes 87, 88, and 89): $0.50
  • In-Town Trolley: $0.25
  • Commuter Express: $2.75 - Discount*: $1.35

• HARTride Passes
  • 1-Day Unlimited Ride Local: $3.75 - Discount*: $1.85
  • 10-pack Local (replaces 20-Ride cards): $34.00 - Discount*: $17.00
  • 1-Day Unlimited Commuter Express: $5.50 - Discount*: $2.75
  • 10-pack Commuter Express (replaces 20-Ride cards): $50.00 - Discount*: $25.00
  • Adult Student 31-Day Unlimited Ride Local: $45.00 (from participating educational institutions)
  • 31-Day Unlimited Ride Local: $60.00 - Discount*: $30.00
  • 31-Day Unlimited Commuter Express: $90.00 - Discount*: $45.00
  • 3-Day Unlimited Ride Visitor Pass: $11.00 - Bulk Purchase (200 or more): $9.00

• • Intercounty PSTA/HART Monthly Passport: $85.00 - For use on all PSTA and HART Bus, Trolley, and Streetcar Routes.

(*)indicates that a HART Discount Permit is required.

HARTflex fares are yet to be announced...

Bus Routes

HART operates over 30 different local bus routes and 13 express bus routes, serving as far north as the USF area and Carrollwood to as far south as the SouthShore region.

Neighborhood Connector and Trolley

HART has three connector routes (87, 88, and 89) and two trolley routes. These routes are generally shorter than an average route. With the implementation of the HARTflex system beginning in March 2010, Route 87 will be converted into a flex-route. Route 88 may eventually see a similar conversion, and the future of Route 89 is unknown.

The two trolley routes are called the "In-Town Trolley" and are distinguished by route number and color. The "Purple Line" - Route 96, runs during weekday mornings and afternoons. And the "Green Line" - Route 97, runs during weekend evenings. Route 96 was originally called the "Uptown/Downtown Connector", along with defunct trolley Route 98 (Hyde Park). Route 97 is funded by the City of Tampa.

Commuter Express

In 2004, HART revised its express bus route system. The changes included new routes to Brandon and Pasco County, changes to existing routes (such as Route 28X), and the addition of 12 new Gillig BRT buses to HART's existing bus fleet (some of these new buses have Wi-Fi). In addition, the name "Commuter Express" was instilled on the system to attract new patrons. Almost all of the Commuter Express routes connect to Downtown Tampa.

List of Routes

Below is a complete listing of HART's bus routes, updated for the July 26, 2009 service change cycle.

Late-night Service

In 2006, HART introduced late-night bus service on nine local bus routes in order to meet the diverse needs of its patrons. Some of these routes now run as late as 1 am as a result in the increase of service. Several changes have been made to the original list since 2007.

• Route 1 - Florida Ave (runs until 1 am on weekdays, 11:30 pm on Saturdays, and 9:30 pm on Sundays)
• Route 2 - Nebraska Ave (runs until 1 am on weekdays, 12:20 am on Saturdays, and 10:50 pm on Sundays)
• Route 6 - 56th St (runs until 1:30 am on weekdays and 10 pm on weekends)
• Route 8 - Progress Village/Brandon (runs until 10:00 pm on weekdays, and 9:50 pm on weekends)
• Route 12 - 22nd St (runs until 1 am on weekdays and 10:30 pm on weekends)
• Route 19 - Port Tampa (runs until 1:20 am on weekends and 10:30 pm on weekends)
• Route 30 - Town n' Country Runs until 1:15 am on weekdays and 11:15 pm on weekends).
• Route 32 - MLK Blvd (runs until 1 am on weekdays and 11 pm on weekends)
• Route 34 - Hillsborough Ave (runs until 1 am on weekdays, 10:30 pm on Saturdays, and 9:50 pm on Sundays)

Holiday Service

Typically, HART operates on a limited schedule during some major holidays. Other holidays, service does not operate at all.

Normal Weekday Service President's Day, New Year's Eve

Saturday-Level Service Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving (though frequency on some routes is increased), Christmas Eve (December 24, since this falls on a Friday this year) and the day after Christmas (December 26).

Sunday-Level Service (NEW!) New Year's Day.

No Service Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

Note: The TECOLine Streetcar operates on a normal schedule on all major holidays EXCEPT Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Bus Terminals/Transit Centers

The Marion Transit Center in northern Downtown Tampa is HART's main hub.

HART operates its bus system similar to a hub and spoke model. The main hub for HART is the Marion Transit Center in Downtown Tampa, serving nearly 30 local and express routes (including PSTA's 100X and 300X). The center was constructed in 2001, replacing the obsolete Northern Terminal, which sat underneath the I-275 viaduct. The Marion Transit Center includes a customer service center, office space, bus driver lounge, restrooms, bus shelters, and an array of public art displays and flanks the northern end of the Marion Street Transitway, which was constructed in the 1980s as a "fare free" zone (though the designation was eliminated in 2008). This facility also serves as a future stop for HART's proposed BRT system. Serving Routes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 18, 19, 30, 31, 20X, 22X, 23X, 26X, 27X, 28X, 47LX, 50X, 51X, 59LX, 100X, 200X, 300X, and the In-Town Trolley Purple Line.

Other major bus terminals include:

The University Area Transit Center west of the USF Medical Center.

• University Area Transit Center: Constructed in the late 1990s and located in the USF area (within the quadrant of 131st Ave, Livingston Ave, N 27th St, and 132nd Ave), the UATC is the transfer point for 12 local bus routes. This facility includes bus shelters, restrooms, and a customer service center. This facility also serves as a future stop for HART's proposed BRT system. Prior to the UATC's construction, HART spent several years juggling around several different locations as a transfer point in the University area, including University Mall. However, the University Mall plan failed to materialize due to financial problems and community opposition. [3] [4] [5].. Serving Routes 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 12, 18, 33, 45, and 57.

• NetPark Transfer Center: Located in east Tampa (off 56th Street and Hillsborough Ave), this facility is a transfer point for 9 local routes and includes restrooms, phones, and vending machines and will serve as a stop for HART's proposed BRT system. Serving Routes 6, 15, 32, 34, 37, 39, 41, and 57.

The West Tampa Transfer Center on the northeast corner of Himes & Ohio Avenues across from Raymond James Stadium.

• West Tampa Transfer Center: Located right across the street from Raymond James Stadium, this facility is the transfer point for 5 local routes and a future station for HART's proposed BRT system. Amenities include restrooms, vending machines, and phones. Serving Routes 7, 32, 36, 41, and 45.

• Northwest Transfer Center: Located on the corner of Sheldon Road and Waters Ave, the Northwest Transfer Center replaced the makeshift bus depot at Hanley/Waters Plaza. Construction began in the spring of 2007 and was dedicated/opened to patrons July 29, 2008 [6]. The new facility is equipped with vending machines, restrooms for both patrons and employees, an adjacent park-n-ride lot for Route 59LX and local bus routes, and eight bus loading bays. Serving Routes 16, 30, 34, 39, 59LX, and 88.

Secondary Bus Terminals

• WestShore Plaza - WestShore Business District: Routes 15, 30, 45, and 89
• Britton Plaza - South Tampa/Interbay: Routes 4, 19, 36, 89, and 100X
• SouthShore Regional Service Center - SouthShore/Ruskin: Routes 47LX and 87
• University Mall - University Area: Routes 12, 33, and 45
• Westfield Brandon - Brandon: Routes 8, 31, 35LX, 37, and 46
• Yukon Transfer Center - Sulphur Springs: Routes 1, 9, 14, 16, and 39

The Marion Street Transitway

Constructed in the 1980s, the Marion Street Transitway provides a line of bus shelters along the street to allow patrons to easily board and deboard buses within Downtown Tampa. The transitway runs from the Marion Transit Center to Whiting Street and was originally a "fare-free" zone until 2008. All of the shelters along the transitway were equipped with departure time signage at one time, allowing patrons to view when the next bus would arrive. Such technology in the past have malfunctioned and were removed as a result. The remaining "shells" of this signage will eventually be removed as well, being replaced with new technology.

Awards

In 2009, the Florida Public Transit Association awarded HART with the "Outstanding System" award. The award was granted to HART based on numerous system improvements and growing ridership over the past three years. The FPTA also awarded HART in several other categories including marketing, safety, and Mechanic of the Year. [7]

Florida Property Tax Reform

Like many local agencies throughout Florida, HART was forced in 2007 to cut its budget by $1.7 million. As a result of this, HARTflex service was canceled and numerous routes saw drawbacks in service. Limited Express Route 52 and Trolley Route 98 were eliminated due to low ridership.

During the 2009/2010 fiscal year, HART will have to cut another $3 million from its budget in order to compensate for additional property tax revenue losses. This move will be achieved by trimming service in Town-N-Country and North Tampa, as well as cutting underutilized trips on numerous routes [8]. Further declines in property taxes could come during the 2010 legislative session.

To counteract plummeting property tax revenues, HART is proposing to switch to a sales tax-based system which many other transit agencies in Florida already use. However, this proposal requires voter approval and the chances of such a move passing during the nationwide recession is currently unknown. A preliminary vote on this and a proposed sales tax hike to fund a proposed rail system are slated for 2010.

Future plans

Despite drawbacks caused by state and county mandated budget cuts, HART is striving to improve transit service in the future. According to HART's 2008 Community Report, the following improvements and expansions are on the horizon.

Service Changes (2009/2010 FY)

Proposed for FY 2009/2010 are a series of system enhancements and reductions to improve efficiency throughout the HART system and cut under-performing routes. Many changes were made during the time of fall 2008 through the present and include frequency increases and route realignment on Routes 1, 2, and 33, enhancements on Routes 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 19, 30, 32, 34, 36, 39, 45, 57, and 88, and the elimination of Routes 26X, 44, 83, and 85. Changes to numerous express routes were also made to improve efficiency.^[1] [9].[10].

HARTflex

HARTflex was originally part of the HARTplus Paratransit System, in which paratransit vans and some fixed bus routes would deviate to service certain neighborhoods to provide service to the elderly and the disabled. During the late 1990s, HART began planning expansion and modification of this service to service specific neighborhoods, and all people within these neighborhoods, by utilizing a fleet of mini-buses to transport patrons from their home or business to points within their neighborhood or to a connecting local or express route. Patrons would need to call HART prior to their trip and place a reservation. The areas of focus originally included Temple Terrace, Carrollwood, Town-n-Country, Brandon, and Seffner, with SouthShore added in 2008. In October 2009, it was decided that Seffner, Brandon, and SouthShore would be the first areas to be served by HARTflex, beginning in March of 2010 [11]. Additional potential areas include Riverview, Drew Park, and South Tampa. HARTflex fares are proposed to be the same as a standard bus fare. The proposed routes are listed as follows. Under the new system, connector routes 87 and 88 would be eliminated due to low ridership on those existing fixed routes.

The HARTflex neighborhood connection service was supposed to begin around March/April 2007 but was delayed due to (bus driver) union issues. The launch was shelved in August 2007 due to budget cuts by the agency caused by Florida's property tax reform plan. However, due to low ridership in SouthShore, the first phase of the HARTflex system will go online in the summer of 2009, replacing Route 87. According to HART's 2008 Community Report (page 2), the second phase (501 through 507) will begin service sometime before 2010, though an exact date has not yet been specified. The rollout for the third phase (Riverview, Drew Park, & South Tampa) will be determined at a later date.

[12].

MetroRapid

In 2004, HART began preliminary planning for a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system called MetroRapid. The first route (the Green Line) is slated to connect Downtown Tampa to the USF area via Nebraska Ave, HART's busiest bus corridor [13], with a second route connecting East Tampa to Tampa International Airport via Hillsborough Ave and MLK Blvd. In August 2006, the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners voted to invest $40 million into the BRT project. Further funding has been obtained since then for the North-South route. However, the East-West route remains largely unfunded. [14]

HART is currently showcasing the project through a series of public meetings to be held during the month of June [15]. A fleet of Gillig BRT buses (an expansion of the current 12-bus fleet) will be purchased as the construction process begins.

Some information regarding proposed MetroRapid routes came from this link

Tampa International Airport Transfer Center

HART and the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority are currently discussing plans to build a transfer center at Tampa International Airport (on the corner of O'Brien St & Spruce St), according to HART's 2008 Community Report. The proposed facility will facilitate connections to the East/West BRT route, Local Bus Route 30, and other HART and PSTA WestShore-bound routes (which are currently being proposed). There is currently no word as to if funding has been allocated. Construction is slated to begin sometime in summer 2010 [16].

Streetcar Extension

Currently, the TECO Line Streetcar system terminates at Dick Greco Plaza just south of the downtown Tampa core. Plans have been in the works for years to extend the line up Franklin St. to Whiting St., reaching the doorstep of downtown. Groundbreaking for the extension took place on October 9, 2009, with operation expected to begin in late 2010.

Intelligent Transportation Systems

According to HART's 2008 Community Report, efforts are currently underway to construct an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). Elements of this project include installing surveillance cameras and audio monitoring equipment, GPS systems, automated annunciator systems, real-time information display signs and other elements to all HART buses and several transfer centers. Such systems will allow patrons in the future to see in real-time, upcoming departures, major intersections, landmarks, and connecting routes.

Bus fleet reorganization/improvements

Bus #2223 (Gillig Low Floor - 30ft) in the blue/white livery similar to that of the purple Commuter Express buses. The Gillig Phantom bus behind it was retired in September 2009.

Another improvement to HART's existing bus fleet is the repainting of buses to better match the livery that is already carried by Commuter Express buses. However, instead of the purple and white livery of the express buses, local buses are being repainted in a blue and white scheme (matching the colors of HART's logo). Bus #2015 was the first bus to be painted in the new colors, returning to service in August 2008, upon the receipt of federal stimulus funds in 2009, HART accelerated the repainting process, allowing more buses to sport the new livery.

In 2008, the agency acquired 12 25-foot Champion/Freightliner T-300 buses (from Dallas Area Rapid Transit) to be used on the fixed-route system while its existing fleet is repainted. these buses will be retired in the spring of 2010.

Beginning in August 2009, HART retired its fleet of Gillig Phantom buses, which the agency purchased in 1996 and 1997 to replace Flixible Metro buses purchased during the 1980s. These buses were replaced by 30 2009 model year 40-foot Gillig Low Floor buses that were purchased with the help of federal stimulus funds. Although seven of the 30-foot Phantoms were already taken out of service in 2007, HART kept three (#s 602, 608, and 609) in service beyond that time. By mid September, 2009, all of the 30 foot Gillig Phantom buses were retired, along with most of the 35-foot models. The final nine buses that were phased out during the week of September 30, 2009 included #s 703, 708, 711, 713, 717, 720, 723, 725, and 726, with #725 being featured at HART's 30th Anniversary Ceremony on September 30.

HART will transfer to its contingency fleet all but one of the 16-vehicle fleet of Gillig Low Floor 30-foot buses (the 20XX fleet). They were replaced in active servicewith another set of 29 40-foot Gillig Low Floor buses. Bus #2015 (which was repainted in HART's new livery) will remain active until 2011, due to extended downtime earlier on in 2008/2009. In 2009, bus #2006 was retired due to an accident/explosion that permanently put it out of service.

As the fleet repainting nears completion in late 2010, the 25xx and 26XX buses, currently painted in the purple/grey/white livery will be changed to the blue/white livery.

Light Rail System

For the past several years, HART (along with local governments) have been proposing a light rail system. The first leg of this system would connect Downtown Tampa to the WestShore Business District and Tampa International Airport. Another leg is proposed to connect downtown to the University area. Other segments are being proposed as well. Eventually, the proposed network will tie into a multi-county regional rail system. Though funding has been the mainline issue with the project thus far, HART is hoping to re-enter the Federal Transit Administration's New Starts Program to help push the project forward [17].

American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009

HART is slated to receive just over $15 million from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 that President Barack Obama signed into law in February 2009. Among the improvements that HART proposed to make; an expansion and upgrade to its operations facility in Ybor City, secure the purchase of 30 forty-foot Gillig Low Floor buses, streetcar extension, and the repainting of HART's existing fleet. ([18])

Active Fleet

Year	Builder/Model	Example	Numbers	Length (ft)	Active	Notes
1999	Gillig Low Floor 35FT		901-917	35	17	All buses in this fleet have been repainted.
2000	Gillig Low Floor 29FT		2001-2005,2007-2017	29	16	#2015 is in the new livery, and will remain in active service until 2011 (due to a period extended downtime). All remaining 20XX buses will be placed into HART's contingency fleet. #2006 was retired in early 2009 due to an accident/explosion.
2001	Gillig Low Floor 40FT		2101-2123	40	23	This fleet is mixed, with some buses painted in the new livery, and some retaining the old colors.
2002	Gillig Low Floor 40FT		2201-2210	40	10	This fleet is mixed, with some buses painted in the new livery, and some retaining the old colors.
2002	Gillig Low Floor 29FT		2215-2229	29	15	This fleet is mixed, with some buses painted in the new livery, and some retaining the old colors.
2003	Gillig Low Floor 29FT		2301-2310	29	10	This fleet is mixed, with some buses painted in the new livery, and some retaining the old colors.
2003	Gillig Low Floor 40FT		2315-2327	40	13	This fleet is mixed, with some buses painted in the new livery, and some retaining the old colors.
2004	Gillig Low Floor 40FT		2401-2419	40	19	This fleet is mixed, with some buses painted in the new livery, and some retaining the old colors.
2004	Gillig Low Floor Hybrid 40FT		2425-2427	40	3 [19]	All buses are in the new livery as of February 22, 2010
2005	Gillig Low Floor BRT 40FT		2501-2512	40	12	This fleet will be among the last to be repainted (2010), though it is unclear if they will be rebranded into the MetroRapid livery.
2006	Gillig Low Floor 40Ft		2601-2612	40	12	These buses will be among the last to be painted in the new livery (2010).
2007	Gillig Low Floor Replica Trolley 30FT		2701-2705	30	5
2009	Gillig Low Floor 40FT		2901-2930	40	30
2010	Gillig Low Floor 40FT		1001-1029	40	29	As of February 19, 2010, #s 1001 through 1007 have been delivered. They will go into service during the week of February 22, 2010. All 10XX buses should be in service by April 2010.
2001	Champion T300 27FT		50XX - 55XX	27	12	Contingency fleet, acquired from Dallas Area Rapid Transit in Dallas, Texas. New livery. These buses will be retired during the course of March 2010.

Future Fleet (Planned Purchases)

Retired Fleet

Year	Builder/Model	Example	Numbers (if available)	Length (ft)	Time in service	Number of buses in fleet	Notes
1971-1974	Flxible New Look		121-154,221-245	35	1981-1993	48	These buses were among HART's initial fleet, given by the City of Tampa, when the agency was formed in 1981. Numbers 130,140,150,160,222,230,233,240,244 not used.
1974	GMC New Look		246-248;097-099	35	1981-1993	6	These buses were among HART's initial fleet, given by the City of Tampa, when the agency was formed in 1981. Some of these buses were used for a Tampa-St Pete shuttle experiment by the state of Florida, the others were acquired second-hand by HART from the Florida Department of Transportation in the early 1980s..
1978	GMC RTS 35FT		249-269	35	1981-1993	17	These buses were among HART's initial fleet, given by the City of Tampa, when the agency was formed in 1981. Numbers 250,255,260,266 not used.
1982	Flxible Metro (870) 40FT		111,112,215-219,271-309	40	1982-1994	40	HART purchased these buses in 1981 to expand its initial fleet. Numbers 277,280,288,290,299,300 not used.
1983-1985	Flxible Metro 35FT		113-115,171-199,351-379	35	1983-1995/96/97	57	HART purchased these buses in 1981 to expand its initial fleet. These buses were replaced by Gillig Phantom buses, beginning in 1996. Numbers 180,190,360,370 not used.
1983-1985	Flxible Metro 40FT		311-319,321-326,341-346	40	1983-1995/96/97	21	HART purchased these buses in 1981 to expand its initial fleet. These buses were replaced by Gillig Phantom buses, beginning in 1996.
1986/1987	GMC RTS 40FT		221-235,401-420	40	1986-1999	35	HART purchased these buses between 1986 and 1987 to further expand its fleet. They were later replaced by Gillig Low Floor models. 200's model T80606, 400's model T80604.
1988/1989	Flxible Metro 40FT		121-140	40	1988-2001	20	Twenty of these buses were ordered in the late 1988-89 time frame and were later replaced by Gillig Low Floor models.
1998	Optima American Heritage Streetcar		801-802	28	1999-2007	2	HART used trolley type buses around downtown Tampa on more than one occasion. The most recent retired trolley fleet was acquired in 1999 from Optima Bus Corporation. These buses were retired after HART purchased a small fleet of replica trolleys from Gillig Corporation.
1996/1997	Gillig Phantom		601-610, 701-727	30/35	1996/97-2009	37	The Gillig Phantom bus fleet replaced the early 1980s models of Flxible Metro buses, as well as other older models. HART purchased 10 30-foot models in 1996, followed by 27 35-foot models in 1997. In 2007, the authority began phasing out all but three of the 30-foot models. The remaining models continued to run on lower frequency routes. HART began phasing out the remaining 30 and 35 foot models in August 2009, with the final nine (703, 708, 711, 713, 717, 720, 723, 725, and 726) being retired in late September.

HART has also used several sub-types which were retired, such as Blue Bird coaches 551-555 and Orion II's 451-453.

The City of Tampa operated the municipal bus system starting in 1973 until the formation of the Hillsborough County Transit system. The city took over the bus operation from National City Lines. Just prior to the city takeover, National City lines operated a rag-tag fleet of 1950s vintage coaches, plus 19 GM New Look TDH-4517 (A.C.) 35 foot buses purchased in 1960 (one bus from the original order of 20 burned down in the mid 1960s), and 10 GM Old Look TDH-3501 (A.C.) buses acquired new in 1967. The fleet also included 19 35 foot GM TDH4512 buses from 1958 and 1959 and 20 or more GM TDH-3612 30 foot buses acquired in the early 1950s. All buses except the 19 GM 1960-vintage New Look coaches were transferred to the City operation. Mayor Dick Greco decided to repaint the fleet in various colors including orange, pink, blue, yellow, and the original National City Lines pale green. The multi-color scheme was carried over to the Flxible new looks which were ordered in 1974 but the "jellybean" scheme was abandoned when the order for 17 GM RTS buses delivery in 1980. A White color scheme with a rainbow stripe under the windows was adopted in 1980 and used until the HART take-over and the adoption of a red and orange stripe on a white bus background.

References

• HART's 2006/2007 proposed fare and service changes A list of service and fare changes that will encompass FY 2006/2007.
• HARTflex HARTflex Information.
• HART To Take Riders From Door To Store Tampa Tribune - January 29, 2007.
• Hillsborough County to start door-to-door bus service Bay News 9 - 4/3/07.
• HART To Scale Back Service Tampa Tribune - June 24, 2007.
• Bus systems roll with cuts St. Petersburg Times - July 8, 2007.
• MetroRapid project information - www.goHART.org

External links

• GoHART Redesigned website introduced on December 31, 2008.
• TECO Line Streetcar System