4305 East 21 St. Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33605-2300
Phone: (813) 623-5835 Fax - (813) 664-1119

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 31, 2000 - TAMPA, FLORIDA - The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) will hold a public hearing to take comments on proposed changes to five bus routes, the discontinuance of one express bus route and the introduction of a new bus route. The hearing will be held Monday, February 7, 2000 at 8:30 a.m. in the County Center Planning Commission Board Room at 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard, 18th Floor, in downtown Tampa. The regular monthly meeting of the HART Board of Directors will be held immediately following the public hearing.

The service changes are recommended to provide improved access to major travel destinations, to establish better connections between bus routes and to more effectively service current and future patrons. The modifications and new areas of service would be implemented on April 23, 2000.

The introduction of the new Route 37 is proposed to improve transportation service to areas of Brandon currently not served. Route 37 would serve businesses and residential areas along Regency Drive, Woodberry Road, and Faulkenberg Avenue and provide access to Regency Square, Hillsborough Community College and Hillsborough County Jail. The bus service is proposed to operate seven days a week.

Other significant improvements include the expansion of the current Route 33 from the University Area Transit Center to 56th Street North via Fletcher Avenue on all trips. The proposal also includes the introduction of bus service to Hidden River Business Park. New development and the demand for work trips to area hotels and other employers have driven this proposal. Other areas proposed for improved levels of bus service include southern Hillsborough County, Netpark business center in eastern Hillsborough County and express bus service into downtown Tampa.

Public participation at this hearing is encouraged. Written comments also are welcomed and will be entered into the record if received by 5:00 P.M. on October 29, 1999. Send comments to: HART, Attn: Public Hearing, 201 E. Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 1600, Tampa, Florida 33602.

For more information on bus routes, transit fares and other customer services, call the HARTinfo Line at (813) 254-4278 and at 626-9158 for TDD/hearing impaired.

-HART-