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Hillsborough Area Regional Transit

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Hillsborough Area Regional Transit
ParentHillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority
Founded1980
Headquarters1201 E. 7th Avenue
LocaleTampa, Florida
Service areaHillsborough County
Service typelight rail, bus service, paratransit
Routes(26 local, 7 express, 1 Streetcar, 5 flex, MetroRapid)
HubsDowntown Tampa, USF Area
StationsBrittion Plaza
WestShore Plaza
Northwest
Marion
Tampa International Airport (TIA)
Netpark
U.A.T.C
Yukon
Brandon Mall Transfer Centers
Fleet169
Daily ridership38,100 (weekdays, Q2 2024)[1]
Annual ridership12,929,700 (2023)[2]
Fuel typeDiesel, CNG
Chief executiveScott Drainville (Interim) [1]
Websitegohart.org

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (also known as the Hillsborough Transit Authority [3](HART)) provides public transportation for Hillsborough County, Florida. The agency operates fixed-route local and express bus service, paratransit service, demand-response service, MetroRapid service, and the TECO Line Streetcar system. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 12,929,700.

History

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Budget cuts and system reorganization (2007 - 2011)

[edit]

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 slashed another $3 million from its budget in order to compensate for additional property tax revenue losses. This move was achieved by trimming service in Town-N-Country and North Tampa, as well as cutting underutilized trips on numerous routes [2].

To counteract plummeting property tax revenues, HART proposed to switch to a sales tax-based system which many other transit agencies in Florida already use. Hillsborough County attempted to pass such a measure during the 2010 election season, but it failed by a 58/42% margin [3].

Despite drawbacks caused by state and county mandated budget cuts and the global recession, HART is striving to improve transit service in the future by managing existing service while only cutting under-performing service and gradually raising fares. HART's 2008 Community Report[permanent dead link] outlined several key changes, such as the introduction of HARTflex service and the upcoming MetroRapid system.

Since 2010, a majority of HART's routes have been realigned to better serve patrons throughout the county. These changes included eliminating inefficient segments and trips, realigning travel times, and adding services that would better serve patrons in the long term. Several under-performing routes (such as Neighborhood Connector routes 87, 88, and 89) were eliminated in favor of neighboring transit routes, HARTflex service, or (in the case of Route 59LX) by improved services (Route 61LX). HART also began testing a limited stop route, Route 6LTD, to replace Route 23X.[4]

Mission MAX (2017-2020 System-wide Restructuring)

[edit]

With many fiscal impacts looming to negatively impact HART's future plans and budgeting - including, but no limited to: reducing the size of the agency's debts, preparing for possible reductions in property tax revenues and federal transit funding support, and the national trend of declining transit ridership - the agency announced in early 2017 that it would launch a Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) of the entire system as part of its next Transit Development Plan (TDP) update. This analysis allowed HART to essentially evaluate every route in the system to see which ones can be improved and which ones would have to be eliminated based on ridership levels and demand. Public outreach began during the spring of 2017 and continued through the summer - eventually leading up to the announcement of a system-wide restructuring effort called Mission MAX, which focuses on modernizing the system to operate with less reliance on traditional transfer hubs and more on a grid system, shorten travel times on key core routes, eliminate out-of-direction travel, and provide more direct service to key destinations. Mission MAX will also provide HART with the foundation that it needs to better analyze and execute future expansion endeavors [4].

Services

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HART currently operates 26 local bus and 7 express bus routes. In addition, the agency operates one heritage streetcar route (The TECO Streetcar), 5 HartFlex Van Routes, and the MetroRapid BRT line.

Local buses

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No. Name Terminus 1 Terminus 2 Operates Direction Notes
1 Florida Avenue Marion Transit Center - Tampa University Area Transit Center - Tampa Daily (Frequent Weekday Service) Bi-Directional Buses run every 15 minutes during the day on weekdays, every 30 minutes during the day on weekends, and every 30 to 60 minutes during evenings. On October 8, 2017, extended south to Whiting Street and rerouted along Fletcher, with the old route along Nebraska and Skipper transferred to new Route 42. Service on 22nd discontinued. Service to Yukon Transfer Center was also discontinued. However, it is still serving there as a streetway stop on Florida Ave @ Yukon St.[5]
5 40th Street Daily On October 8, 2017, rerouted on Fowler Avenue rather than through the University of South Florida. Rerouted back through the University of South Florida on January 20, 2021.[6]
6 56th Street Midway Terminus is Netpark Transfer Center. On October 8, 2017, the section on Puntan Road, 50th Street, and Sligh Avenue transferred to rerouted Route 39. It was rerouted on 56th Street and Fletcher Avenue, replacing part of Route 57. The old route along Fowler and 50th through the University of South Florida campus lost service. Service on Fowler and 50th was restored as part of Route 48 on July 1, 2018, which does not go through the University of South Florida campus.
7 West Tampa Tampa Bay Blvd @ Dale Mabry Hwy - West Tampa Bi-Directional (buses travel along Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa Bay Blvd, Lois Ave, and MLK Blvd in a one-way clockwise pattern). On January 16, 2005, rerouted over part of Route 11 to the Wal-Mart. On October 8, 2017, rerouted south of M L King Jr. Blvd so it ran on North Blvd (replacing part of Route 14). Old Route along Howard/Armenia became part of Route 14; service along Main Street discontinued. Select Trips to Wal-Mart discontinued. Terminus at West Tampa Transfer Center is discontinued. Service to Leto High School is proposed to be restored by 2020 as part of a restored Route 41.[7] Route was rerouted back to Main Street on January 24, 2021, with service on North Blvd discontinued.[8]
8 Progress Village/Brandon Westfield Brandon Mall - Brandon Bi-Directional On October 8, 2017, deviations at Progress Village (via Fir Dr and 83rd St, and west as a loop on Progress Blvd, 78th St, Flower Ave, and 82nd St). Rerouted directly via 78th and Progress Blvd. Rerouted on the same route in both directions south of downtown on July 1, 2018. Rerouted via 4th Avenue from 21st/24th Street to Channelside Drive on January 24, 2021. That same day, rerouted to serve Kennedy Blvd./Jackson St. between Meridian Ave. and Marion Transitway.
9 15th/30th Streets University Area Transit Center - Tampa On October 8, 2017, rerouted on Hillsborough and 30th Street (replacing part of Route 18), with sections transferred to Route 16 and new Route 42. Service on 15th Street and Sligh Avenue discontinued. On January 24, 2021, rerouted south of 7th Ave. to serve Nuccio Pkwy., Channelside Dr., Kennedy Blvd., Meridian Ave., Cumberland Ave., Jefferson St., Whiting St., and Marion Transitway; Route 12 covers the deleted portion.
10 Cypress Street Tampa International Airport CONRAC Facility On October 8, 2017, eliminated due to low ridership. Section west of MacDill Avenue served by extended HARTFLEX South Tampa. Service on Cypress Street from MacDill Avenue to North Street discontinued. Restored on January 24, 2021 (replacing HARTFLEX South Tampa), but follows Westshore Blvd to Tampa International Airport; Cypress Street west of Westshore Blvd and the Social Security Administration Building have been covered by Route 30 since July 24, 2019.[9]
12 22nd Street University Area Transit Center - Tampa
14 Armenia/Howard Avenues Yukon Transit Center - Tampa Swann Ave @ Howard Ave - Tampa Bi-Directional (buses turn northward at Howard Ave and Swann Ave) On October 8, 2017, routed south of M L King Jr. Blvd so it ran on Howard/Armenia (replacing part of Route 7 and part new) to Swann. Extended to Britton Plaza Transfer Center via S. Howard Ave.,

Bay to Bay Blvd., MacDill Ave. and Euclid Ave. on January 24, 2021, restoring service lost when Route 4 was discontinued.[10]

15 Columbus Drive WestShore Plaza - Tampa NetPark Transfer Center - East Tampa Daily (Frequent Weekday Service) Bi-Directional On October 8, 2017, service along 50th (south of Columbus Avenue), Broadway, and Orient (including the county jail) was discontinued, with the part north of M.L. King Jr. Boulevard north and west to netp@rk Transfer Center served by new Route 38. Rerouted via 50th to netp@rk Transfer Center.
16 Waters Avenue Northwest Transfer Center - Town-N-Country Yukon Transfer Center - Tampa Daily Bi-Directional (buses travel along Waters Ave, Rowlett Park Dr, Mullberry Dr Sitka Ave, and 17th St in a one-way clockwise pattern). On October 8, 2017, extended east from the Yukon Transit Center to Rowlett Park Dr, replacing part of Route 9. Was returned to serve Yukon Transfer Center On 7/14/2019. Rowlett Park loop rerouted to serve 22nd St. and Rowlett Park Dr. on January 24, 2021.
17 Port Tampa/Manhattan Avenue Britton Plaza - Tampa Idaho St and O'Brien St - Tampa Bi-Directional (buses travel along WestShore Blvd, Idaho St, Elliott St, Ingraham St, Kissimmee St, and Commerce St in a one-way clockwise pattern). Hourly service seven days a week. Created on October 8, 2017, replacing select trips on Route 19.
19 South Tampa Marion Transit Center - Tampa Britton Plaza - Tampa Bi-Directional Does not serve Davis Islands in the southbound direction. On October 8, 2017, service on Platt Street was discontinued, as the route was rerouted south replacing part of Route 4. Service south of Britton Plaza now served by new Route 17 (service on Westshore was discontinued). On February 25, 2018, serves Tampa General Hospital again with discontinuation on Route 19A.
30 Kennedy Boulevard/Airport Northwest Transfer Center - Town-N-Country Also serves Westshore Plaza as a Streetwide Stop on Westshore Blvd @ Grey St. On October 8, 2017, service of Tampa International Airport and Northwest Transfer Center was replaced by Route 60LX. On February 25, 2018, Route 35 took over this portion. Was extended to serve Social Security Administration On Frontage Rd via Cypress St restoring service previously on Route 10 (discontinued in October 2017) on 7/14/2019. Re-extended to Northwest Transfer Center on 1/24/2021 replacing Route 35 and HARTFlex South Tampa; service to the Social Security Administration on weekends was discontinued. Route 10 was restored that day, but serves Tampa International Airport instead of the Social Security Administration.[11]
31 South Hillsborough County Westfield Brandon Mall - Brandon SouthShore Regional Service Center Weekday Only Rerouted on Riverview Drive on July 1, 2018.
32 Dr. MLK Jr. Boulevard NetPark Transfer Center - East Tampa Tampa International Airport CONRAC Facility Daily On October 8, 2017, extended west from the West Tampa Transfer Center to Tampa International Airport. Select Service from netp@rk Transfer Center to Mango Wal-Mart replaced by Route 38.
33 Fletcher Avenue/Northdale Hidden River Corporate Park - Tampa Palms St. Joseph's Hospital North Buses travel between Dale Mabry Hwy and the University Area Transit Center only on weekends. On October 8, 2017, extended east from University Area Transit Center to Hidden River Corporate Park replacing part of the MetroRapid. Service along Florida, Bearss, Nebraska, 139th, 20th, and 140th discontinued as Route 33 was rerouted straight on Fletcher. Route was extended north to St. Joseph's Hospital on January 24, 2021, replacing HARTFlex Northdale.[12]
34 Hillsborough Avenue NetPark Transfer Center - East Tampa Northwest Transfer Center - Town-N-Country
36 Dale Mabry Highway/Himes Avenue Britton Plaza - Tampa Dale Mabry Hwy @ Fletcher Ave - Carrollwood On January 16, 2005, extended south from West Tampa Transfer Center to MacDill Air Force Base, replacing part of Route 4. On October 8, 2017, section south of Britton Plaza Transfer Center became part of Route 360LX. Rerouted on ML King Jr. Blvd., Lois Ave., Tampa Bay Blvd., and Dale Mabry Hwy. around HCC rather than Hines Avenue to Columbus Ave to make better connections with Route 7 (the old route lost service).
37 Brandon/NetPark NetPark Transfer Center - East Tampa Westfield Brandon Mall - Brandon On October 8, 2017, select service to Brandon Hospital discontinued and replaced by rerouted Route 46. On February 2, 2018, the Brandon Hospital service on Route 46 was replaced by extended HARTFLEX service. On January 24, 2021, this HARTFLEX service was replaced by extended Route 38.
38 Mango/Brandon Hourly service seven days a week. Created on October 8, 2017, replacing select trips on Route 32. Route extended east to Parsons Ave., and south to Westfield Brandon Mall via Parsons Ave., Oakfield Dr., and Lakewood Dr on January 24, 2021, replacing HARTFLEX Brandon, with direct service to Mango Walmart replaced by additional stops on M.L. King

Jr. Blvd.[13]

39 Busch Boulevard/Gunn Highway Northwest Transfer Center - Town-N-Country Netpark Transfer Center - East Tampa Bi-Directional (buses travel along 56th St, Sligh Ave, 50th St, and Puritan Rd in a one-way clockwise pattern). On October 8, 2017, service to Yukon Transit Center was discontinued. Rerouted to end at a loop on Puntan Rd, 50th St, and Sligh Ave, replacing part of Route 6. The old route south to Netp@rk Transfer Center was transferred to rerouted Route 6. However, it was extended back to Netpark on July 14, 2019.
42 University Area Connector University Area Transit Center - Tampa University Area Transit Center - Tampa (Circular) Bi-Directional (buses travel along 15th St, Fletcher Ave, Nebraska Ave, Skipper Rd, Bearss Ave, Bruce B. Downs Blvd, and 131st Ave in a one-way clockwise pattern, serving the University Area Transit Center via 131st Ave). Route interlines with Route 45. Began service on October 8, 2017, replacing parts of Routes 1, 9, and 57. Section south of University Area Transit Center replaced by Route 45 extension on January 24, 2021.[14]
44 Sinclair Hills Connector Bi-Directional (buses travel along North 22nd S., Bearss Ave, Livingston Ave, Sinclair Hills Rd, Nebraska Ave, Bearss Ave, Florida Ave, Fletcher Ave, Nebraska Ave, and 131st Ave in a one-way clockwise pattern, serving the University Area Transit Center via 131st Ave). New route started on January 24, 2021; it is a restoration of part of Route 1, part of Route 18, and part of Route 33 that had been cut on October 8, 2017.[15]
45 University Area/WestShore WestShore Plaza - Tampa Bi-Directional Route interlines with Route 42. On October 8, 2017, shortened to end at Yukon Transfer Center. Old route along North Blvd and Fowler Ave to University Area Transit Center discontinued. Extended north to University Area Transit Center via Florida Ave, Linebaugh Ave, 15th St, and 131st Ave on January 24, 2021, replacing part of Route 42; direct service to Yukon Transfer Center discontinued.[16]
46 Brandon Boulevard Westfield Brandon Mall - Brandon Dover Park-N-Ride Lot - Dover Hourly service seven days a week. On October 8, 2017, section west of Westfield - Brandon Transfer Center transferred to Route 60LX; name was changed from Downtown Tampa/Brandon to Brandon Boulevard. Rerouted to stop at Brandon Hospital, replacing select trips on Route 37. Shifted back to old route on February 2, 2018, when the Brandon Hospital stop was replaced by extended HARTFLEX service. Old Route section serving Westfield Brandon and Downtown Tampa serving Palmetto Beach is proposed to be restored in the future; when this happens, the name will be changed to Palmetto Beach & Causeway/Brandon.
48 Temple Terrace University Area Transit Center - Tampa NetPark Transfer Center - East Tampa Route started on July 1, 2018. Restoration of the deleted parts of Routes 6 and 57 that lost service on October 8, 2017; also replaced part of Route 51X. Rerouted through the University of South Florida on January 20, 2021.[17]
400 MetroRapid North-South Marion Transit Center - Downtown Tampa University Area Transit Center - Tampa Currently the only MetroRapid BRT Route in service. Due to the discontinuation of Route 2, additional stops were added between MetroRapid bus stations on Nebraska Avenue and Fletcher Avenue.

Former Routes

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No. Name Terminus 1 Terminus 2 Operates Direction Notes
2 Nebraska Avenue Marion Transit Center - Tampa University Area Transit Center - Tampa Daily Service Bi-Directional On October 8, 2017, the MetroRapid was rerouted to match this bus route.
3 Ybor City/Tampa General Hospital Connector Ybor City Tampa General Hospital Weekday Only Loop Combined with rerouted Route 17 (now Route 19 and 46) on September 25, 2002.
4 Palma Ceia/South Tampa Marion Transit Center - Tampa MacDill Air Force Base Bi-Directional On January 16, 2005, rerouted over Route 17 from the Britton Transit Center to MacDill Air Force Base. Route 36 extended over the old route. On October 8, 2017, eliminated due to low ridership. Service along Swann Avenue became part of eastbound Route 19. Service on Bay to Bay Boulevard now served by the new Route 360LX. Remainder of the route (east, northeast, and north from SR 618 to Swann Avenue and along Euclid and MacDill Avenue) lost service. Route is proposed to return to service in the future, but the new name is proposed to be South Tampa and MacDill.[7]
11 Northwest Tampa Waters/Hanley Plaza Weekdays and Saturdays only Combined with Route 7 on January 16, 2005; service to Waters/Hanley Plaza from the Wal-Mart was discontinued. The old route of Route 7 became Routes 44/45. Number is proposed to return to service with a different route direction on Main Street, Howard Street, and Spruce Street, restoring a deleted portion of Route 7. The proposed route is called Route 11 Main Street.[18]
17 MacDill Avenue MacDill Air Force Base Weekdays Only On September 25, 2002, rerouted away from Tampa Bay Center and replaced Route 3. Combined with Route 19 and Route 4 on January 16, 2005. Number reused on October 8, 2017, for unrelated route.
18 30th Street Livingston Daily On October 8, 2017, replaced by Route 9 from Hillsborough Avenue. Service on 30th from Hillsborough Avenue to 21st discontinued. Service on 30th and Skipper north of the University Area Transit Center transferred to Route 42. Service on Livingston discontinued.
19A Tampa General Hospital Shuttle Tampa General Hospital - Tampa Operated every 35 minutes between 6:00 am and 8:00 pm. Discontinued on February 25, 2018.
35 Town N Country Tampa International Airport CONRAC Facility Northwest Transfer Center - Town-N-Country Began service on February 25, 2018, replacing some of the early Route 60LX Airport/NWTC portion. Replaced by Route 30 extension on January 24, 2021.
38 Brandon/NetPark NetPark Transfer Center - East Tampa Westfield Brandon Mall - Brandon Discontinued on October 28, 2001.
41 Sligh Avenue West Tampa Transfer Center - West Tampa NetPark Transfer Center - East Tampa On October 8, 2017, eliminated due to low ridership. Went on Habana, Sligh, 30th, Hanna, 43rd, Sligh, and Harney Rd to netp@rk Transfer Center. Service on Harney Rd was restored on July 1, 2018, as part of the new Route 48. Proposed to return service in 2020, but will instead start at Leto High School and continue east on Sligh and meet up with the old route at Habana and continue east on Sligh and the streets mentioned above, also restoring service that was served by select trips on Route 7 before October 8, 2017.[7]
44 Habana Avenue WestShore Plaza - Tampa University Area Transit Center - Tampa Discontinued on March 30, 2008; section along Habana Avenue was already part of Route 41 (earlier Route 41 ended at Hanley & Waters). Number returned to service on January 24, 2021.[19][7]
57 UATC/Temple Terrace/netp@rk University Area Transit Center - USF Area NetPark Transfer Center - East Tampa Weekdays Only Was 57LX until January 16, 2005, when the route was truncated to end at UATC rather than the Oldsmar Transfer Center. Discontinued on October 8, 2017, with part replaced by Route 6 and new Route 42. Service on 42nd, Skipper, Fowler Ave, Davis Blvd, Bullard Pkwy, 78th, Harney Rd, Sligh Ave, and Orient Rd discontinued. Service on Fowler Ave, Davis Blvd, Bullard Pkwy 78th, and Harney Rd was restored on July 1, 2018, as part of the new Route 48.
70 Strawberry Connection McCall Park Weekdays and Saturdays Only Loop Discontinued on August 28, 2005.
71
72
73
81 Westshore / Britton Plaza Connector WestShore Plaza - Tampa Britton Plaza - South Tampa/Interbay Weekdays Only Bi-Directional Eliminated on January 16, 2005. Consolidated with Route 89.
83 University Area Connector University Area Transit Center - USF Area Florida Avenue & 131st Ave - North Tampa/Sulfur Springs Daily Became part of Route 33 (which no longer served the University Mall) on November 8, 2009.
84 South County Circulator Ruskin Neighborhood Service Center Wimauma Senior Center Split into routes 86 and 87 on November 19, 2006.
85 Sun City / Wimauma Bi-Directional
85 South Tampa Weekend Connector WestShore Plaza - Tampa MacDill Air Force Base Became part of Routes 89 and 36 on November 2, 2008.
86 Mission Shuttle Daily Bi-Directional
86 Ruskin SouthShore Connector Ruskin Neighborhood Service Center SouthShore Regional Service Center Combined with Route 87 Sun City Center SouthShore Connector on November 18, 2007.
87 Town 'N Country Connector East Hanley Waters Plaza Paula Dr. @ Ambassador Dr. Weekdays Only Combined with Route 88 in Fall 2003.
87 SouthShore Connector Sweetbay Supermarket @ US 41 - Ruskin RCMA Daycare - Wiamuama Bi-Directional Discontinued on July 10, 2011. No service to Ruskin Neighborhood Service Center or Sun Coast Health Center.
88 Town 'N Country Connector Northwest Transfer Center - Town-N-Country Northwest Transfer Center - Town-N-Country One-Way Loop (west, then south, then east, then north) Discontinued on July 10, 2011.
89 South Tampa Connector WestShore Plaza - WestShore Business District Britton Plaza - South Tampa/Interbay Bi-Directional
95 WestShore Lunchtime Shuttle International Plaza - WestShore Business District One Urban Centre - WestShore Business District Weekdays Only (Midday) Funded by WestShore area business partners. Discontinued in Summer 2013.
96 In-Town Trolley
Purple Line
Marion Transit Center - Downtown Tampa Dick Greco Plaza - Downtown Tampa Weekdays Only Peak Direction The Purple Line Trolley operated weekdays from 6:00 am to 8:30 am and 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm. Service was funded by the City of Tampa. Discontinued July 1, 2018.
97 Eastside Limited Connector Jefferson & Laurel Friday/Saturday Nights Bi-Directional Service was funded by the City of Tampa. Discontinued 2003.
In-Town Trolley
Green Line
Tampa Performing Arts Center - Downtown Tampa Dick Greco Plaza - Downtown Tampa Discontinued October 12, 2003.
98 In-town Trolley Hyde Park Southern Transportation Plaza Old Hyde Park Village Discontinued on November 18, 2007, due to low ridership.

Neighborhood Flex

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HART provides the HART Flex Service consisting of commuter vans that have routes in designated areas. Walk-up service is provided at regular HART stops along the Flex service route, or patrons can reserve a pick-up or drop-off at a location not a HART stop by calling to reserve between 2 and 72 hours in advance. Walk-up service may be limited by the number of reservations. Fare is $1 per way, and an all-day flex pass available for $2. There is no discount available for seniors, Medicare or disabled as there are on other HART routes; however, up to 3 kids under 6 are free with fare-paying rider. Regular HART 1-Day and 31-Day passes are accepted. The service areas are typically 2.5 miles from a preset route, although at least one Flex area does not have a specific route.

HartFlex Routes

  • 571 - South County Flex - Bi-Direction from HCC Southshore Campus to La Estancia Apartments Guadalupe via Sun City Center.

Former HartFlex Routes

  • 570 - Brandon Flex - Clockwise Loop from Westfield Brandon Mall to JC Handley PnR. Discontinued on January 24, 2021; partially replaced by extension of Route 38.[20]
  • 572 - Northdale Flex - Bi-Direction from Fletcher Ave/Dale Mabry Hwy to St. Joseph's Hospital North via Dale Mabry Hwy. Discontinued on January 24, 2021; replaced by extension of Route 33.[21]
  • 573 - Town ‘n Country Flex - Clockwise Loop From Northwest TC to Tampa Community Hospital. Discontinued on January 24, 2021.[22]
  • 574 - South Tampa Flex - Counter Clockwise Loop from Britton Plaza to SSA - Frontage Rd/Laural St. Discontinued on January 24, 2021; replaced by restored Route 10 on Cypress Street; alternative service from Britton Plaza and Social Security/MacDonald is available on Route 36 and transfer to Route 30.[23]

Commuter Express

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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 the existing HART bus fleet. Almost all of the Commuter Express routes connected to Downtown Tampa. You can identify express routes by looking at the suffix letters at the end of the number (X means Express and LX means Limited Express). Some express routes operate on a Peak Direction schedule early morning and late afternoon. Others operate on an All-Day schedule. Due to changing ridership patterns, these routes were modified as needed. With the 2016 Mission MAX restructuring, Routes 21LX, 22X, 27LX, 28X, 47LX, 61LX, and 200X were all eliminated. Routes 60LX and 360LX were into service on the day Mission MAX was established. They’re also the first All-Day Limited Express Routes HART has established providing stops to Brandon, Downtown Tampa, Tampa Int’l Airport and South Tampa seven days a week. Route 275LX became the third All-Day Express Route replacing Route 51X serving Wiregrass, UATC, Downtown Tampa and TIA. There’s also talk about a NEW All-Day Express Route serving the Tampa Airport, Westshore, Downtown Tampa and Plant City. Although the official date of operation is unknown.

No. Name Terminus 1 Terminus 2 Midway Stop(s) (if any) Operates Direction Notes
24LX Fishhawk/South Tampa Limited Express FishHawk Sports Complex Park-n-Ride - Brandon MacDill AFB - Tampa Kennedy Blvd @ Pierce St (AM Trip only), Jackson St @ Pierce St (PM Trip only) - Downtown Tampa Monday through Friday Only Peak Direction Was 24X before October 8, 2017, and downtown stops were added that day.
25LX Bloomingdale/South Tampa Limited Express Bloomingdale Park-n-Ride - Brandon Kennedy Blvd @ Pierce St (AM Trip only), Jackson St @ Pierce St (PM Trip only) - Downtown Tampa Reclassified as "LX" service on July 11, 2010. Like 24LX, buses stop midway at Downtown Tampa since October 8, 2017.
275LX New Tampa/Pasco Limited Express Marion Transit Center - Downtown Wiregrass Park-n-Ride - Westley Chapel University Area Transit Center - USF Area Daily Bi-Directional Hourly service seven days a week. Operates full route on weekdays, and only from Wiregrass Park-n-Ride to University Area Transit Center on weekends. Route is in service since July 1, 2018; replaced Route 51X. Northbound trips serve Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel before entering Wiregrass. Service from Downtown to Tampa International Airport CONRAC Facility was discontinued on January 20, 2021; alternative service for this section is available on Route 30 and restored Route 10. Weekend service from University Area Transit Center to Downtown was also discontinued that day.[24]
360LX Brandon/South Tampa Limited Express MacDill AFB - Tampa J.C Hanley Park - Brandon Britton Plaza - South Tampa, Marion Transit Center - Downtown Tampa Hourly service seven days a week. Operates full route on weekdays and Saturdays, and MacDill to Britton Plaza only on Sundays. Westfield Brandon Mall terminus was discontinued also on December 2, 2018, and route was extended to serve J.C Hanley Park Park-n-Ride. Route was rerouted via Marion Transitway (instead of Florida Ave./Tampa St. or Tyler St.) between Kennedy Blvd. and Marion Transit Center on January 24, 2021, r

Former Routes

[edit]
No. Name Terminus 1 Terminus 2 Operates Direction Notes
20X Pasco/Lutz Express Lutz Target - Lutz MacDill Air Force Base Monday through Friday Only Peak Direction This was the only express route to remain largely unaltered by Mission MAX and to have Express fare prior to boarding. Extended to serve MacDill AFB to/from Downtown Tampa/MTC in February 2018. Discontinued on January 24, 2021, due to low ridership; alternative service available on TBARTA commuter services and new Route 44 (on Florida Ave between Bearss Ave. and Fletcher Ave).[25]
21X Town N' Country Express Marion & Whiting Memorial Hwy. & George Rd. Discontinued.
21LX UATC to Downtown Tampa via 56th St. Limited Express Marion Transit Center - Tampa University Area Transit Center - USF Area Discontinued on October 8, 2017; replaced by new morning trips on the 51X and also redundant with Route 6.
22X Dover/Brandon Marion Transit Center - Downtown Tampa Dover Park-N-Ride - Dover Weekday Rush Hours Peak Direction Discontinued on October 8, 2017; replaced by Routes 60LX & 360LX and part replaced by Route 46.
23X Temple Terrace Temple Terrace City Hall Park-N-Ride - Temple Terrace replaced by route 6/6 LTD on July 10, 2011.
26X Carrollwood Express Marion Transit Center - Tampa North Lakeview Park-N-Ride Discontinued on March 30, 2008, due to low ridership. Now covered by Route 20X, Route 33, and Route 36.
27LX Riverview/Fish Hawk/South Brandon Limited Express FishHawk Sports Complex Park-N-Ride - Brandon Marion Transit Center - Downtown Tampa Weekday Rush Hours Peak Direction Discontinued on October 8, 2017, due to low ridership. Reclassified as "LX" service on July 11, 2010
28X East County Express Marion Transit Center - Downtown Tampa Mt. Zion Assembly of God Park-N-Ride - Plant City Weekday Rush Hours Discontinued on October 8, 2017, due to low ridership.
35LX Brandon/SouthShore Westfield Brandon Wimauma Senior Center - Wiamauma Weekdays Only (Limited Trips) Bi-Directional Renamed Route 53LX July 10, 2011. Service to SouthShore Regional Library, LA Estancia Apartments, and Wilauma Senior Center was discontinued.
47LX SouthShore Limited Express Marion Transit Center - Tampa South 301 Park-n-Ride (S.R. 674 @ Wal-Mart) - Ruskin Weekday Rush Hours Peak Direction Discontinued on October 8, 2017, due to low ridership. Alternative service served by Route 60LX/360LX and Route 31.
50LX Citrus Park/Carrollwood Carrollwood Baptist Church Park-n-Ride/Citrus Park Park-n-Ride Discontinued on November 11, 2012; merged with Route 61X; service to Orange Grope Park-n-Ride cancelled.
51LX New Tampa/Pasco Limited Express Wiregrass Park-n-Ride - Wesley Chapel Marion Transitway - Tampa Monday through Friday Only Peak Direction On October 8, 2017, added service from the new Florida Hospital/Wesley Chapel

Park-n-Ride to downtown. Morning trips on Route 51X started serving the Temple Terrace Terrace City Hall, replacing Route 21LX. Discontinued on July 1, 2018, replaced by Route 48 and Route 275LX.

52LX UATC/New Tampa/Pasco Limited Express Marion Transit Center - Tampa Victorious Life Church Park-N-Ride Discontinued on November 18, 2007, due to low ridership.
53LX South County/Brandon via US 301 Limited Express Westfield Brandon Kings Point - Wiamauma Weekdays Only (Limited Trips) Discontinued on October 8, 2017, due to low ridership. Alternative service served by Route 31.
54X South Hillsborough County Express Marion Transit Center - Tampa Ruskin K-Mart Peak Direction Discontinued on October 28, 2001.
56X North / Northwest Express Tampa General Hospital Citrus Park P&R Weekdays 1 trip north only Discontinued in 2000.
58LX Oldsmar Limited Express Marion Transit Center - Tampa Tri-County Business Park Discontinued on January 20, 2006, due to low ridership. Replaced by Route 59LX east of Tri-County Business Park; west of there eliminated.
59LX Town-N-Country/Westchase Limited Express Marion Transit Center - Downtown Tampa Tri-County Business Park - Northwest Town-N-Country Weekday Rush Hours Peak Direction Renamed Route 61X on July 10, 2011, and shortened to serve only the Northwest Transfer Center Park-n-Ride. Service to Tri-County Business Park and St. Matthew's Park-n-Ride discontinued.
60LX Cross-County Limited Express Tampa International Airport CONRAC Facility Bloomingdale Park-n-Ride - Brandon Daily Bi-Directional Hourly service seven days a week. Operated full route on weekdays and Saturdays, and served Downtown to Tampa International Airport CONRAC Facility only on Sundays. Route included service west of Tampa International Airport replacing part of Route 30 and west of Downtown replacing part of Route 61LX. On February 25, 2018, section west of Tampa International Airport was transferred to new Route 35. On December 2, 2018, Terminus to Westfield Brandon Mall was discontinued and route was extended to new terminus at Bloomingdale Park-n-Ride. Discontinued on January 24, 2021, due to low ridership; alternative service is available on Routes 25LX and 360LX (9between Brandon

and Downtown Tampa), and Route 30 and restored Route 10 (between Marion Transit Center and Tampa International Airport).[26]

61LX Northwest Limited Express Marion Transit Center - Tampa Carrollwood Baptist Church Park-n-Ride Discontinued on October 8, 2017, due to low ridership. Portion from downtown to Northwest Transfer Center Park-n-Ride served by new Route 60LX (which goes on a slightly different route). Service to Citrus Park Park-n-Ride and to Carrollwood Baptist Church Park-n-Ride discontinued.
75LX South County Shopper Limited Express Kings Point Shopping Center - Ruskin Westfield Brandon Mall - Brandon Limited Service - Tuesdays and Thursdays ONLY Bi-Directional Replaced part of 53LX on October 8, 2017. This route operated all day Tuesday and Thursday from 8 am-5 pm. Discontinued on January 24, 2021, due to low ridership; alternative service is available on TBARTA commuter services and Route 31 (between Ruskin and Westfield Brandon Mall).[27]
200X Clearwater Express Marion Transit Center - Tampa Eddie C Moore Park-n-Ride - Clearwater Discontinued on October 8, 2017, due to low ridership.

MetroRapid Service

[edit]

MetroRapid is HART's "light" Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, which launched on May 28, 2013. Between May 28 and June 7, HART provided customers a chance to use MetroRapid for free. This allowed customers to get a feel for the new service, while allowing HART staff to work out any last-minute problems before the start of revenue service. MetroRapid officially began revenue service on June 10, 2013, with a formal ribbon cutting held at the Hidden River Corporate Park grounds in Tampa Palms.

MetroRapid currently consists of one line, the north–south line (numbered as Route 400), which runs from Downtown Tampa (MTC) to the University Area Transit Center (UATC) via Nebraska and Fletcher Avenues every day, every 15 minutes. It replaced Route 2.

TECO Line Streetcar System

[edit]

This service is a 2.7-mile streetcar line that runs along Downtown Tampa, through the Channel District, and Ybor City. The system features historical replica streetcars of the original Tampa Streetcar Line. The TECO Line Streetcar is now FREE with extended morning and late night hours.

In its heyday, Tampa's streetcars whisked passengers to and from Ybor City, Ballast Point, Hyde Park, Sulphur Springs and points beyond. Operated by uniformed conductors, the Birney cars were a welcome sight, and the familiar clang of the streetcar bell was music to the ears. To ride the streetcar was to feel the pulse of the community.

Tampa's first electric streetcar lines built in 1892 quickly became an essential part of everyday life as workers took the streetcar downtown and to the cigar factories of west Tampa. And families climbed aboard for a picnic or ball game in DeSoto and Macfarlane parks. Reaching the peak of its popularity in the 1920s with almost 24 million passengers in 1926, Tampa's streetcar system rolled to a stop in August 1946 following World War II.

Today, electric streetcars are back in Tampa, supporting continued growth in Downtown, the Channel District and Ybor City. The TECO Line Streetcar System is a 2.7 mile section that connects these three areas, improving transportation capacity, supporting Tampa's thriving cruise industry and transporting workers to and from their jobs

Late-night service

[edit]

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 12 am as a result in the increase of service. Since 2007, the number of routes running weekday services beyond 8:00pm has increased to 16 routes.

Fares

[edit]
  • One-way fares on Local & Limited Express: $2.00
  • One-way fares on Express: $3.00
  • Unlimited one-day Local & Limited Express pass: $4.00
  • Unlimited one-day Express pass: $6.00
  • Unlimited 31 day Local & Limited Express pass: $65
  • Unlimited 31 day Express pass: $95

HART fares listed above will be given a 50% discount if a proper HART ID card is present prior to purchase.

HART has a partnership with the University of South Florida, where students can ride HART local, limited express, and flex routes for free if they show the bus operator their USF ID. USF Faculty & Staff can use the same services for only 50 cents[28]

Facilities

[edit]

Transit Centers

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

Like many transit agencies, HART has operated its bus system similar to a hub and spoke model. However, with system redesigns taking place in 2005 and 2017, the reliance on traditional hubs has lessened in favor of a grid-based system where transfers are done at key intersections and corridors.

The main hub for HART is the Marion Transit Center in Downtown Tampa, serving 16 local and express routes (including PSTA's 100X and 300X) from 17 Bus Platforms (Platform A-N surrounding the station and the East, North and West Platforms), and also serves as stops for FlixBus and Greyhound. The center was constructed in 2001, replacing the obsolete Northern Terminal, which sat underneath the I-275 viaduct. The Marion Transit Center is located at the northern end of the Marion Street Transitway and includes a customer service center, office space, bus driver lounge, restrooms, bus shelters, and an array of public art displays. Was under construction where the station is being resurfaced since November 4, 2019 and completed construction on June 1, 2020. Serving Routes 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 19, 30, 20X, 60LX, 275LX, 360LX, PSTA Routes 100X and 300X, and the MetroRapid North-South Line. HARTPlus also serves the station since June 8.

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 10 local bus routes. This facility includes bus shelters, restrooms, and a customer service center. 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. [5] [6] [7].. Serving Routes 1, 5, 6, 9, 12, 33, 42, 48, 275LX and the MetroRapid North-South Line.
  • NetPark Transfer Center: Located in east Tampa (off 56th Street and Hillsborough Ave), this facility is a transfer point for 8 local routes and includes restrooms, phones, and vending machines and will serve as a stop for HART's MetroRapid system. Serving Routes 6, 15, 32, 34, 37, 38, 39 and 48.
The West Tampa Transfer Center on the northeast corner of Himes & Ohio Avenues across from Raymond James Stadium.
  • West Tampa Transfer Center: Located right next to Raymond James Stadium. Permanently closed following the Mission MAX system redesign in 2017. HART currently has no immediate intention to reactivate the hub and could sell the land in the distant future for redevelopment if longer-term plans deem it necessary to do so. During the Tampa Bay Buccaneers home games, the station will be open for HART MVP Express which operate for $10 round trip. Northbound trips on Routes 32, 36 and 45 have closest bus stops to provide entrance to Raymond James while Route 7 has stops on MLK Blvd/Himes Ave when events are available (Effective 8/16/2019)
  • 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 [8]. The new facility is equipped with vending machines, restrooms for both patrons and employees, an adjacent park-n-ride lot and 4 local bus routes, and eight bus loading bays. Serving Routes 16, 34, 35, 39, Town-N-Country FLEX service, and the PSTA Tampa/Oldsmar Flex Connector.
  • Tampa International Airport Rental Car Facility Bus Hub: Located on the grounds of TPA Airport, adjacent to the new Rental Car Facility, five bus loading bays along a straightaway drive allows for loading and unloading of transit buses, with future expansion in mind. Customers can easily connect to and from the airport terminal via SkyConnect. Serving Routes 30, 32, 35, 60LX, 275LX, and PSTA Route 300X.

Secondary Bus Terminals

[edit]

The Marion Street Transitway

[edit]

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 but have been removed.

Plans

[edit]

HART has the following projects planned to begin service within the next five years.

West Shore Multi-Modal Center

[edit]

HART and the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority have been discussing plans to build a transfer center at Tampa International Airport since 2008. Originally, the facility was to be located at the corner of O'Brien and Spruce streets [9][permanent dead link] but was dropped in 2011 in favor of a site closer to the TIA terminal. [10] Plans for any type of transfer center on TIA property collapsed in 2012 following the impact of global economic downturn and the consolidation of the airline industry on TIA's broad terminal expansion plans. In March, 2013, plans were unveiled for a possible Multi-Modal center along Interstate 275 in the WestShore Business District that could cater to multiple bus connections, light rail or commuter rail lines, and a People Mover system connecting the airport. This plan is heavily dependent on whether public transit in both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties are able to further expand. This in-turn, would be dependent on future funding situations [11][12]. As of 2020, the multi-modal center remains a part of the Florida Department of Transportation's Tampa Bay NEXT interstate-based transportation plan.

Intelligent Transportation Systems

[edit]

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. Many of these elements, including GPS, security, and automated annunciator systems were installed during the course of 2008 through 2010.

American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009

[edit]

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. ([13])

TRANSitFORMATION

[edit]

In September 2019, HART has several plans for the future of transportation in Hillsborough County under the hashtag #TRANSitFORMATION. Some of these plans include improvements and added services on select routes, more detailed information and improvements in bus shelters, adding electric bus pilots to their fleet and replacing select gas/diesel fuel buses, adding more Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes along Florida Ave, Nebraska Ave and Fowler Ave. also, HART has planned future commuter passenger rail or high speed rail transport across Hillsborough and its neighboring counties among the CSX rail corridor and possible future extensions for the TECO Streetcar Line.

Fleet

[edit]
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.

As of October 2023, most local/express HART buses are in the blue and white livery. Trolley buses are in a similar pale blue/white livery, and MetroRapid buses are in a green/gray/white livery. (As Of May 2019 Only Some MetroRapid Units are in the MetroRapid Livery.) Since the May 2019 incident, most buses have protection driver doors to protect its operator from future offenses.

The repainting of buses was done to 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 were 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 was repainted. These buses were retired in March and April 2010, with the arrival of the 29 40-foot 2010 model (10XX) Gillig Low Floor buses.

Beginning in August 2009, HART retired its fleet of Gillig Phantom buses, which the agency purchased in 1996 and 1997 to replace Flxible Metro buses purchased during the 1980s. These buses were replaced by 30 2009 model (29XX) year 40-foot (12 m) Gillig Low Floor buses that were purchased with the help of federal stimulus funds. Although seven of the 30-foot (9.1 m) 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 (9.1 m) Gillig Phantom buses were retired, along with most of the 35-foot (11 m) 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.

In November 2011, HART was awarded a $2.3 million federal grant to build a CNG fueling station at its operations facility. It was completed in 2013.[14] In 2014, HART began purchasing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transit buses, along with a small fleet of CNG powered paratransit vans. In total as of 2020, there are 70 CNG powered buses in the fleet, though one (# 1708) was retired earlier in the year due to severe accident damage.

In 2020, the agency received a $2.7 million federal grant to purchase 4 electric buses [15]. These buses are expected to be on the road by 2022, though it is unclear which manufacturer will be selected to produce them.

Active fleet

[edit]
Year Builder/Model Example Numbers Length
(ft)
Active Notes
2006 Gillig

Low Floor

2601–2612 40 12 # 2604 has been retired as of 5/22/19.
2007 Gillig

Low Floor Replica Trolley

2701–2705 30 5 Contingency spares. Were originally used for the In-Towner trolley until the network was eliminated in 2017, then used for Route 33. It is likely that they will be moved to Routes 42 & 44 in 2021.
2009 Gillig

Low Floor

2901–2930 40 30
2010 Gillig

Low Floor

1001–1029 40 29 (28 active) # 1018 was retired in 2019 due to an incident that involved the death of bus operator Thomas Dunn.
2011 Gillig

Low Floor BRT Suburban

1101-1106 40 6 Acquired Sarasota County Area Transit - Former #'s 1101X-1106X. Delivery was delayed for several months due to paperwork issues. [16][17]. All buses have been delivered as of 5/22/19 and will enter service sometime by August, 2019. #1102, #1104, #1105 and #1106 are currently in active service and are used for either Routes 60LX or 275LX as of today.
2012 Gillig

Low Floor

1201-1212 40 12 Standard Low Floor units with rear roof fairing option, wrapped in special livery for MetroRapid. As of 7/20/16, #1212 was repainted in gold colors with a full ad wrap and is operating on local and express routes. As of 6/1/18, the bus has been re-wrapped back to MetroRapid livery and is once again operating there. As of today, all of these buses (except for 1202, 1208 and 1210) are in HART's standard colors. They are expected to be all in HART's blue/white livery in the near future
2012 Gillig

Low Floor BRT Suburban

1217-1218 40 2 Acquired from Sarasota County Area Transit - Former #'s 1201X-1202X. These buses have special baggage racks on their roofs. They are used for either Routes 60LX or 275LX since they serve Tamp Int’l Airport. [18][19]
2012 Gillig

Low Floor

1215–1216 40 2
2013 Gillig

Low Floor

1301-1312 40 12
2014 Gillig

Low Floor

1401-1406 40 6 Acquired from TransStar out of Orlando, FL when the company shut down. #'s 1402 through 1406 initially entered service during the course of mid 2019, with # 1401 entering service in October, 2020 due to extensive mechanical issues.

Original unit #'s with TransStar were 4026–4031.

2015 Gillig

Low Floor CNG

1501-1522 40 22
2016 Gillig

Low Floor CNG

1601-1613 40 13 All buses have been delivered to HART as of 9/5/16. All buses are in revenue service as of 10/29/16.
2017 Gillig

Low Floor CNG

1701-1715 40 15 (14 active) All buses have been delivered to HART as of 9/1/17. All buses are in revenue service as of 10/2/17. # 1708 was retired in 2020 due to severe accident damage.
2017 Gillig

Low Floor CNG (BRT Plus)

1716-1725 40 10 Funding obtained through a grant from the Federal Transit Administration. All buses are in revenue service as of 12/17/17. #1718 has a special “Jetbus” livery as a promotion of the Route 275LX.
2019 Gillig

Low Floor CNG

1960-1969 40 10 All buses are in revenue service as of 5/22/19.
2021 Gillig

Low Floor CNG

2125-2140 (provisional)

2nd Generation

40 96 (Planned) Planned order - exact number of buses will be contingent on All For Transportation referendum funding. If all is successful, these buses will replace all mainstay (excluding second-hand acquisition) diesel buses.
2021/2022 Proterra

ZX5 40FT Battery Electric

2141-2144 (provisional)

2nd Generation

40 4 Planned order due to federal funding received.

Retired fleet

[edit]
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

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)

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

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

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

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

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.
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 (9.1 m) models. The remaining models continued to run on lower frequency routes. HART retired the remaining 30 and 35-foot (11 m) models in August 2009 in favor of 40-foot (12 m) Gillig Low Floor models (29XX buses), with the final nine (703, 708, 711, 713, 717, 720, 723, 725, and 726) being retired in late September.
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.

1999 Gillig

Low Floor

901-917 35 1999–2012 17 These buses ran in the HART system from 1999 through 2012. Although some buses had an interior refurbishment, high maintenance costs forced HART to retire them as well. There are no immediate plans to replace this fleet due to a lack of funding.
2000 Gillig

Low Floor

2001–2017 29 2000–2012 17 These buses ran in the HART system from 2000 through 2011. HART originally had plans to keep these buses in a contingency fleet, but those plans were scrapped after a sales tax referendum failed in November 2010. #2015 was rebranded and placed back into service in August 2008 (due to a period extended downtime). #2005 was rebranded and placed back into service as of April, 2010. These two buses were retired in early 2012 due to high maintenance costs. There are no immediate plans to replace this fleet due to a lack of funding.
2001 Champion

T300

52XX - 55XX 27 2008–2010 12 HART acquired 12 of these buses from Dallas Area Rapid Transit in Dallas, Texas, in 2008 as part of their contingency fleet during fleet rebranding. These buses have since been retired in favor of 40-foot (12 m) Gillig Low Floor models (10XX buses).
2001 Gillig

Low Floor

2101–2123 40 2001-2016 23 All buses, except #2106, were retired as of October, 2015. #2106 was decommissioned from revenue service as of 7/5/16, replaced by #1601.
2002 Gillig

Low Floor

2201–2210 40 2002-2016 10 All buses, except #2210, were retired as of October, 2015. #2210 was decommissioned from revenue service as of 8/16/16, replaced by #1602.
2002 Gillig

Low Floor

2215–2229 29 2002-2015 15 All buses have been retired (replaced by the 1500s)
2003 Gillig

Low Floor

2315-2327 40 2003-2016 12 All buses, except #'s 2325 and 2327 were retired as of October 29, 2016. Replaced by #'s 1603 through 1613. The remaining units were replaced by #'s 1701 and 1702.
2003 Gillig

Low Floor

2301–2310 29 2003-2017 10 All buses have been retired (replaced by the 1600s & 1700s)
2003 Gillig

Low Floor

2315–2327 40 2003-2017 2 All buses have been retired (replaced by the 1600s & 1700s)
2004 Gillig

Low Floor

2401–2419 40 2004-2017 18 All buses have been retired (replaced by the 1700s)
2004 Gillig

Low Floor HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle)

2425–2427 40 2004-2017 3 [20] All buses have been retired (replaced by the 1700s)
2005 Gillig

Low Floor BRT

2501-2512 40 2005-2019 12 All buses were retired in 2019 (replaced by the 1900s). # 2508 was donated to Hillsborough Community College for first responder training.
2010 Gillig

Low Floor

1018 Retired in 2019.
2017 Gillig

Low Floor

1708 Retired in 2020.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Second Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  2. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  3. ^ http://www.gohart.org/departments/executive/packets/pdf_packets/archive/board_packet_09-08-2008A.pdf[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "HART" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2011-02-12.
  5. ^ "Error" (PDF).
  6. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  7. ^ a b c d "TRANSitFORMATION Info Session Walkthrough". YouTube.
  8. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  9. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  10. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  11. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  12. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  13. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  14. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  15. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  16. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  17. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  18. ^ "Error" (PDF).
  19. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  20. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  21. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  22. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  23. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  24. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  25. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  26. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  27. ^ "Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-02-01.
  28. ^ "HART - Hillsborough Area Regional Transit - Tampa, Florida. University of South Florida Bus Pass". Archived from the original on 2015-05-11. Retrieved 2015-07-27.
[edit]