HART is updating its Transit Development Plan (TDP). This plan will address the mobility needs of Hillsborough County residents, employees and visitors over the next 10 years. It serves as a guide to allocate funding for public transportation services and projects where they are most needed.  The State of Florida requires all public transit providers to develop and adopt a TDP annually.

Now here's the important part:  Community input is critical towards updating the TDP.

HART planners want to hear from you about your travel needs, as well as your ideas and suggestions for improving and expanding our transit services.

To learn more about the TDP and to provide your input, visit www.gohart.org/tdp

HART Gains New Customers,

Old Ones Keep Coming Back

You may have heard ridership is up at HART.

Yes, as gas prices near $4/gallon, bus ridership will also rise, right? Not exactly.

Sure, public transit is highlighted when there's pain at the pump. But ridership at HART has been steadily climbing for the past couple of years. April 2011 not only marked an 11 percent increase over the same time last year, it also marked the 14th consecutive month of more than 1 million in ridership. Moreover, annual ridership has increased more than 20 percent since 2006.

That's because over the past couple of years, HART has invested in improving its product. From major service and capital improvements to more subtle changes that have improved HART fleet and the farecard structure, HART knows accessibility, safety and convenience are a must to not only gain new customers but also keep old ones coming back.

There is now one shelter for every seven bus stops, compared to one in 15 just a few years ago. HART has repainted many of its buses and brought new buses into service to provide a more pleasant passenger experience. In addition, HART went from selling monthly bus passes to selling 31-day bus passes, giving them more shelf life so customers can make full use of them.

In 2010, HART introduced ride-free programs to attract new riders, including Ride Free with a Friend on Earth Day, Dog Days of Summer and Ride Free on Election Day.

The residents of this community have taken notice of the good things happening at HART, and this agency appreciates the trust they've demonstrated by getting onboard in such record numbers!

I've been coming to the Hillsborough County Phyllis Busansky Senior Center for about two or three years. I maintain an active lifestyle by walking a lot, and here at the Senior Center I help water the plants, play table tennis and use the computers. HARTPlus drops me off at the Senior Center. If HARTPlus wasn't available, I wouldn't be able to get here because I don't have a car. HARTPlus is a big help. They take me here to the Senior Center and any other place I want to go, whether it's shopping or anything like that. HARTPlus drivers are excellent and considerate of senior citizens.

Dudley Whitehill, as well as Constance Braxton, are being recognized by HART throughout Older Americans Month, nationally celebrated in May. These Older Americans submitted entries describing how public transit helps them stay active and young at HART. Read more.

HART is offering free rides to an Older American and their friend throughout this entire month. Read more The Older American must be age 65 or older, passengers must board together, and the ride free program is not for use on HARTPlus, Express or the TECO Line Streetcar System.