Hillsborough
Hillsborough County
2035 Long Range Plan
Potential Rail/BRT - HART Alternatives Analysis
Potential Rail/BRT - USF to Wesley Chapel
Tampa Streetcar
Bus Rapid Transit
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Moving Hillsborough Forward Campaign Archive
2035 Long Range Plan
The map below, developed by the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization, outlines the public transportation needs for Hillsborough County by 2035. Click on the map to view a larger image. You can visit their website at MPO2035.org.
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Potential Rail/BRT - HART Alternatives Analysis
For the past two years, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) has been working on an Alternatives Analysis (AA) for two corridors: one connecting downtown Tampa to New Tampa and a second connecting downtown Tampa to Tampa International Airport. An AA is an important step in the process of applying for federal funding. During an AA, a list of many possible alignments within a given study area is slowly narrowed down to a single alignment, referred to as the "Locally Preferred Alternative." Click here to learn more about the HART AA (www.gohartaa.org).
Once the AA is complete, the county must be able to provide a local funding source, usually enough to cover 50% of the project, before the federal government will consider funding the other half. In November of 2010, Hillsborough County held a referendum asking residents to add a 1% sales surtax to the existing sales tax rate to pay for all of the above improvements, along with improvement to roads, intersections, pedestrian facilities, new bus shelters, increased bus frequency, and other transportation improvements. Although this measure was defeated, post-election polling indicated that the residents of Hillsborough are in favor of investing in public transportation and believe something needs to be done, they just weren't willing to raise taxes in this economy.
In May 2011, the HART board voted to end the AA study, but not take further action on it.
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Potential Rail/BRT - USF to Wesley Chapel
TBARTA began a preliminary study in 2010 to determine how to best connect the growing Wesley Chapel area with the system that is planned in Hillsborough County. The study will help identify options for the alignment and the type of transit that are worth studying in more detail as part of a formal federal funding application. The major work efforts will include development of a Purpose and Need statement, operation plans, public outreach, preliminary cost and ridership estimates, and identification of potential economic, social and environmental impacts. Click here to learn more. The study will be completed in late 2012.
Source: Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority
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Tampa Streetcar
The new Whiting Street station. Source: GoHART Blog
On December 19th, 2010, the TECO Line Streetcar System was extended into the heart of downtown Tampa at Whiing and Franklin Street, connecting to 35,000 people working downtown. The extension also provides walkable access to the Tampa Theater, Tampa Museum of Art, the Florida Museum of Photography, Lykes Gaslight Park and several downtown hotels.
In August 2011, the Tampa Port Authority ended their $150,000 annual contribution to the Streetcar for the 2012 budget year. The St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune criticized the move, especially ahead of the 2012 Republican National Convention, when record ridership is expected on the line. The Tribune said the decision by the Port was "shortsighted" and the Times concluded that after the Port collected $14 million in Hillsborough property tax revenue, the Port, "can afford to give something back to the larger public good in return."
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Bus Rapid Transit
HART is currently in the final design phase of the first line for a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system known as MetroRapid. While this will not be a true BRT system (it would not have dedicated lanes), it will employ the other features of BRT providing a premium service for Hillsborough County residents. Construction of the line is due to begin in early 2012 to connect downtown Tampa to the University of South Florida area and beyond. It is scheduled to be operational in early 2013. Click here to learn more about MetroRapid.
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Learn More
The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) serves the people of Hillsborough County with affordable public transportation for today’s on-the-go lifestyles. HART services are designed with today’s commuter in mind, from convenient bus services, to In-Town Trolleys, money-saving vanpools, park-and-ride services and more. Website: http://www.gohart.org/
The Hillsborough County Transportation Taskforce was a group of citizens who worked for 32 months to identify solutions to the County's transportation challanges. Website: http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/transtaskforce/
Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a resource agency for transportation planning. Mandated by federal and state law, the MPO is responsible for establishing priorities to meet short-term (next 5 years) and long-term multi-modal transportation needs for Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City and unincorporated Hillsborough County. Website: http://www.hillsboroughmpo.org/
Learn how you can provide your input into the AA by visiting http://www.gohartaa.org.
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