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HART Broke Million-Ride Mark In August

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By RICH SHOPES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 16, 2007

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit, the county's bus agency, reported more than a million rides in August, a record for monthly ridership. But whether the agency keeps growing is anyone's guess.

The agency gave 1,017,516 rides, the first time it has surpassed the million-ride mark.

The previous monthly mark was set in March at 967,739 rides. If the pace continues for September, the agency will end the fiscal year with a record 11 million rides.

Interim Executive Director Steven Roberts attributed the gains to extended service on some routes and additions to its express service to the suburbs. The changes came in November. High gas prices during the year helped, too.

"During that peak, a lot of people tried the bus and have stuck with it," he said.

But continued growth next year and beyond is a big question mark. Budget cuts have forced the agency to consider cutting its lowest-performing routes and to implement service cuts on 14 others. If approved Sept. 24 by HART's board, which is likely, the cuts will take effect Oct. 1.

Roberts said this year's gains are welcome but pale compared with the cuts that lie ahead, and at a time when lawmakers are talking about increased public transit.

"It's really difficult to ask taxpayers to fund a product when they're not seeing examples of it … because it's getting cut back," he said.

Parking Rate Change

Fans of low-priced, on-street parking spaces could find they're harder to come by in downtown Tampa. The city's parking division is considering plans to move parking meters that charge 25 cents for two hours to the downtown's outskirts.

Low-cost meters scattered around the downtown core would be replaced with ones that charge $1.50 for two hours, keeping in line with most of the meters in downtown. The move would generate an estimated $200,000 a year for the division, but division manager Jim Corbett said it's not all about the money.

The idea, he said, is to create consistency in rates and open up more on-street parking for visitors. At 25 cents for two hours, many spaces end up being occupied all day by a single car. The city says it wants higher turnover to accommodate visitors.

The cheap meters that exist between Zack and Tyler streets would be moved to the opposite side of Tyler, close to Interstate 275. Some 25-centers would be installed south of Whiting Street and east of Jefferson.

Corbett said users would have to walk farther from their car to downtown offices, or catch a trolley. The city operates about 1,600 metered spaces downtown. Of those, about 300 charge 25 cents for two hours.

Corbett wants the new rates in place by the end of the year or early next year. The idea needs Mayor Pam Iorio's approval.

Lane Closures Ahead

For weeks, drivers have been bracing for slow going at MacDill Avenue and Azeele Street because the intersection is being widened. Turns out, the worst delays won't come until the end of the month.

Crews have been moving utility lines since early August, ahead of the demolition and construction still to come. The utility work should be finished in a week or two. The entire project is set for completion in December.

Got a gripe about your commute? Contact reporter Rich Shopes at rshopes@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7633.

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