HART's New, Expanded Services to Launch Week of Nov. 19th
November 8, 2006, Tampa, FL – In a survey conducted in 2005, 66% of Hillsborough County residents said public transit is a service that should appeal to all citizens. With that in mind, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) announces several new initiatives designed to make its public transportation services work better for the citizens of Hillsborough County.
HART is introducing significant service enhancements starting November 19, 2006 throughout the agency’s service area. All new route maps and schedules are posted to HART’s newly redesigned website, www.gohart.org. Click the link in the middle of the homepage for current schedules; new schedules are accessible via drop down menus located beneath the current schedules link, and at the top of each page.
New and extended services include:
Later Hours on Nine Key Routes
Route 1 - Florida Ave.
Route 2 - Nebraska Ave.
Route 6 - 56th St.
Route 8 - Progress Village/Brandon
Route 12 - 22nd St
Route 30 - Town N' Country
Route 32 - M.L. King Jr. Blvd.
Route 34 - Hillsborough Ave.
Route 83 - University Area Connector
Weekday extensions: All above routes will be extended to midnight or later, with one-hour frequency. For example, Route 6 northbound currently has a last trip leaving Marion Transit Center at 7:50 PM. With the weekday evening extension, there will be trips at 8:50 p.m., 9:50 p.m., 10:50 p.m.. and 11:50 p.m.
Weekend extensions: All above routes will be extended by two hours beyond current weekend schedules. For example, Route 6 northbound currently has a Saturday last trip leaving Marion Transit Center at 6:35 PM. With the weekend evening extension, there will be trips at 7:35 PM and 8:35 PM.
New Connector and Limited Express service in SouthShore
Route 31 - South Hillsborough County – Extension of service to the Ruskin [1] Park-n-Ride located near the Ruskin Post Office.
New Route 35LX - Brandon/SouthShore Limited Express – Monday through Saturday limited express service between the South Shore Regional Service Center (SouthShore Regional Library on Saturdays) and the Westfield Brandon Mall via US 301.
New Route 47LX - SouthShore Limited Express – Monday through Friday limited express service between SouthShore and downtown Tampa. Service begins at US 301 & SR 674 and travels along US 41 and I-75 to downtown Tampa.
Route 84 - South County Circulator – Eliminated and replaced with Routes 86 and 87.
Route 86 - Ruskin SouthShore Connector – Monday through Friday service in the Ruskin area including a connection with Route 87 at the SouthShore Regional Service Center.
Route 87 - Sun City SouthShore Connector – Monday through Friday service along the SR 674 corridor in Wimauma and Sun City Center including a connection with Route 86 at the SouthShore Regional Service Center.
Service Additions and Route Extensions
Route 26X - Carrollwood Express – Addition of daily round trips at 6:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. serving downtown Tampa.
Route 50X - Citrus Park Express – Addition of daily round trips at 6:45 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. serving downtown Tampa.
Route 51X - New Tampa Express – Extension of service to new park and ride lot at Victorious Life Church (I-75 & SR 54) serving downtown Tampa.
Route 52LX - New Tampa/University North Limited Express – Extension of service to new park-and-ride lot at Victorious Life Church (I-75 & SR 54) serving the University North/USF area and downtown Tampa.
Runtime Adjustments
An additional bus will operate on Route 6 - 56th Street to improve on-time performance.
Minor Service Adjustments
Route 10 - Cypress Street – Route extended west to Cypress Point Park and weekday frequency reduced from 30 minutes to 40 minutes.
Route 32 - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. – Service extended along Lakewood Dr., Broadway Ave., and Williams Rd.
Route 46 - Davis Islands/West Brandon – To improve service to Tampa General Hospital and Hillsborough Community College, service along west Davis Blvd. and South Davis Blvd. eliminated.
New Discount Fare on Commuter Express Service
All HART Commuter Express routes now have a discount fare option for seniors age 65 and older, youths 17 and younger, people with disabilities or on Medicare.
31-Day Express Discount Farecard - $40.00
20-Ride Express Discount Farecard - $25.00
One-Way Discount Cash Fare for Express – $1.25
A HART discount ID is required as proof of eligibility. You can obtain a HART discount ID at any HART facility. Visit www.gohart.org or call the HARTinfo line at (813) 254-4278 for more details.
New 31-Day Unlimited Ride Fare Card for Connector Routes
HART’s new 31-Day Neighborhood Connector Farecard is $10.00, and provides a deep discount on the regular 50-cent cash fare when used more than 20 times. A discount 31-Day Connector Farecard is available for $5.00.
The 31-Day Neighborhood Connector Farecards are valid on all HART Neighborhood Connector Routes:
Route 83 – University Area Connector
Route 85 – South Tampa Weekend Connector
Route 86 – Ruskin SouthShore Connector
Route 87 – Sun City SouthShore Connector
Route 88 – Town ‘N Country Connector
Route 89 – South Tampa Connector
Route 96 – In-Town Trolley – Downtown
Route 98 – In-Town Trolley – Hyde Park
The mission of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) is to provide public transportation services which are safe, dependable, and cost effective, thereby enhancing the quality of life in our community.
For additional information contact the HARTinfo Line (813) 254-4278 or visit our website at www.gohart.org
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