December marked another month of more than 1 million in bus ridership, as well as an increase in bus ridership of 9.7 percent over December 2009.
December 2010 bus ridership tallied at 1,056,626 compared to December 2009 bus ridership of 962,879.
"HART continues to revitalize, restructure and reposition itself to preserve a high-level of service while constraining operating costs," said HART CEO David Armijo.
In addition, more University of South Florida faculty, staff and students are riding HART. U-Pass ridership increased by 21.9 percent in fiscal year 2010 compared to fiscal year 2009. Moreover, U-Pass ridership for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011 is up by 18.1 percent.
As part of their tuition, students who show valid USF identification can ride HART's local, connector and limited express bus routes free. USF faculty and staff pay only 25 cents with valid USF identification.
HART operates 10 bus routes in the USF area, including several routes that operate until midnight. In addition, the Bull Runner (USF's campus shuttle service) connects to the University Area Transit Center, HART's main bus hub for all routes operating in North Tampa. Map of bus routes in USF area: http://www.gohart.org/ride_guide/usf/USF_late_night.pdf
The University Area Transit Center is located at 13110 N. 27th St. in Tampa, and open Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturdays, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
For more information, visit www.goHART.org or 813-254-4278.
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