Tampa Bay's HART Bus System will Lose 20 Percent of its Routes

Cuts mean an already meager transit service will cover less of the sprawling Hillsburough County Community.

1 minute read

August 12, 2017, 7:00 AM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority

Ben Ostrowsky / Flickr

The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit board of directors voted 12-1 to cut service on 20 percent of the system's bus routes. The move is a response to declining ridership, and a tight budget. "HART receives less tax support than similar agencies in most major cities, meaning it's hit harder by the decrease in fare box revenue." Caitlin Johnson reports in the Tampa Bay Times. Attempts to boost that budget including a 2010 referendum were voted down.

Changes to the system should benefit some riders with new routes being shorter and more direct. Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority say these changes should benefit 80 percent of riders.

Tuesday, August 8, 2017 in Tampa Bay Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 7, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Mobile home park at dusk.

Poor Conditions in Mobile Home Parks Put Residents at Risk

Failing infrastructure, poor water and air quality, and predatory owners endanger the health of manufactured home residents, many of whom are elderly and low-income.

7 hours ago - Next City

Complete Streets

How Complete Streets Stands to Lose in the FY26 ‘Skinny Budget’

The President’s proposed budget could cut key resources for active transportation, public transit, and road safety programs.

May 11 - Transportation for America

Historic Dairy Queen restaurant building with neon signs at night.

Dairy Queen and Rural Third Places

Dozens of Dairy Queen restaurants across Texas are closing, taking a critical community space with them.

May 11 - The Daily Yonder

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.