HART would be unable to run special bus service from Hillsborough County to Tampa Bay Rays' games without getting permission from or creating a partnership with local charter bus companies, a HART official said Wednesday.
Federal guidelines preclude public transit companies that receive federal funding from operating services that compete with private sector bus companies, said Katharine Eagan, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority's chief of service development.
"That is why many transit companies don't do school bus service," Eagan said.
However, HART will prepare information for its board members to consider in May or June in response to a request by HART commissioner and Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner to look into prospects for Rays' bus service.
Beckner also suggested planners look at how the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority might be able to serve Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Lightning games during a joint session Monday of Pinellas and Hillsborough transit officials.
Eagan said HART probably did not have enough buses to support weekday night service to Rays games, since HART assigns 162 of its 199 buses to rush hour service. The remainder must be kept in reserve or are undergoing maintenance.
However she said HART would consider how it could help or partner with private companies if any were interested in providing direct runs to Rays games.
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