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Local unemployment blamed for HART ridership drop

Staff file photo by JULIE BUSCH (2008)

Nearly half of HART's bus patrons take trips to and from work, an April onboard survey showed.

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By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 3, 2009

Updated: 11/03/2009 03:17 pm

TAMPA - Hillsborough Area Regional Transit ridership fell during the fiscal year ended Sept. 30 for the first time since 2002, a 3.1 percent decline compared with a year ago to 12.3 million passengers.

"High local unemployment, currently approaching 12 percent, accounts for a majority of the lost ridership," HART's latest ridership report states.

Nearly half of HART's bus patrons take trips to and from work, an April onboard survey showed.

However, the year-over-year comparison does not reflect longer range trends in steady ridership growth, HART officials pointed out. That's because gas prices soaring beyond $4 a gallon in 2008 contributed to a record 12.7 million passengers that year.

By comparison, HART's 2009 regular and express bus ridership was 4.4 percent higher than 2007, a more normal year, HART spokeswoman Kathy Karalekas said.

"Growth has been steady from about 2003 onward, with ridership going from about 8 million a year between 200 and 2004 to 10 million in 2005 and 2006 and 11 million in 2007 before the 12 million spike in 2008," Karalekas said.

Vanpool traffic declined 9.6 percent from 2009 over 2008, local bus service fell 3.5 percent and Paratransit dropped 2.4 percent. Paratransit service provides transportation for people with disabilities who need rides beyond HART's fixed routes.

The downtown streetcar gained 5 percent, and express bus service gained 2.3 percent compared with 2008.

HART officials say there is reason to be cautiously optimistic next year. Officials say the ridership erosion seems to have bottomed out and fuel prices for motorists are on the rise.

In addition, service enhancements on a half-dozen routes, including Florida Avenue, Nebraska Avenue, 22nd Street, University Area Transit Center via 56th Street, Progress Village-Brandon and Town N' Country via Kennedy Boulevard are expected to provide growth.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817.

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