HART to Hold Community Meeting Tonight on Proposed Fare Increases, Route Changes

The cost of riding the bus may be increasing.

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit has proposed a number of fare changes to become effective in November.

Residents can learn more about the proposed increases at a community meeting tonight, June 12 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Brandon Regional Service Center, 311 Pauls Dr., Brandon.

Under the HART proposal, local and limited express rides would increase from $1.75 to $2, express rides would increase from $2.75 to $3.

A one-day unlimited ride pass for local and limited express service would increase from $3.75 to $4 while a one-day express fare pass would increase from $5.50 to $6.

A three-day unlimited ride visitor pass would increase 75 cents.

HART also is proposing raising the 31-day unlimited ride fare from $60 to $65 for local and limited express and from $90 to $95 for 31-day express passes.

To find out about other rate increases, visit the HART website.

In addition, HART is proposing some route changes including eliminating the a portion of the 37 route running from Westfield Brandon along State Road 60 to Brandon Regional Hospital and then back along Oakfield Drive. HART also is considering eliminating the 28X route along Interstate 4, which runs from downtown Tampa, up Interstate 75 to Interstate 4, ending in Plant City.

HART also is proposing eliminating Saturday service for the Brandon flex routes.

A final public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, July 10 from noon to 2 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. at the HART Administrative Office, 1201 E. 7th Ave., Tampa. Final recommendations will be on the agenda of the HART Board of Directors at its July 16 meeting, for implementation in November 2012.

For more information, call 813-254-HART.