TAMPA — Beginning Jan. 5 of next year, the Hillsborough Transit Authority will launch its fare-free pilot program for one of Tampa's busiest bus routes.

What You Need To Know

  • Beginning Jan. 5, the Hillsborough Transit Authority will launch its fare-free pilot program for one of Tampa's busiest bus routes

  • HART says that Route One mainly serves workers commuting from North Tampa to Downtown. Yesterday, the City Council approved funding for the program, allocating $1.65 million

  • City Council approved funding for the program, allocating $1.65 million

  • During the pilot program, Hart’s paratransit service will also be fare-free for trips that start and end within 1.5 miles of Route One

HART says that Route One mainly serves workers commuting from North Tampa to Downtown. On Thursday, the City Council approved funding for the program, allocating $1.65 million.

HART reports that over 3,000 riders use this route daily, and it wants to encourage more people to take the bus.

Tampa City Councilwoman and bus rider Lynn Hurtak believes the new program will enhance affordability for local commuters, including workers and students. On average, riders currently spend $4 daily and $80 monthly on their commutes.

“$80 a month is a grocery visit. It is a child’s visit to a doctor. It can go many places, but the thing is that money will stay in our community,” said Hurtak.

Hurtak says this will also address the tie between affordable housing and transit.

“If you don’t have to pay for your car payment, you can pay for your bus and pay for more in housing,” said Hurtak.

The Tampa City Council members voted 4-3 in favor of providing free access for one year. According to HART, approximately 18% of households along Route One lack a vehicle, 26% of this demographic lives below the poverty line, and 14% of individuals in the area have a disability.

“This ranks among the top 5 critical needs for our veteran community,” said D.J. Reyes, Hillsborough County Veterans Advisory Board Appointee.

This initiative will assist veterans in accessing health care by providing a complimentary ride to James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. Councilman and Hart Board Chair Luis Viera notes that this is a positive advancement for mass transit in Tampa.

“We are, I believe, united in supporting the mission of supporting the hardworking men and women who make hard work, supporting hard, amazing work to getting veterans to their VA appointments, getting moms and dads back home, getting workers on to their jobs, said City Councilman Luis Viera.

Dayna Lazarus is part of ‘Transit Now Tampa Bay’, a group among many that supported the program.

“We fought really hard to get here. Yeah, it was absolutely not guaranteed. We really had to demonstrate the need. We had to demonstrate the desire,” said Lazarus.

She adds that the investment in Route One, which connects 70% of Hart’s bus network, is also an investment in linking local communities together.

During the pilot program, Hart’s paratransit service will also be fare-free for trips that start and end within 1.5 miles of Route One.