April 6, 2009 - Tampa, Florida - In March, bus service to Tampa International Airport got faster and more convenient with improved frequencies on Route 30. Now, service is slated to improve even more with an agreement to build a new multi-modal transfer center on airport property approved by the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Board of Directors at today's regular monthly meeting.
TIA Transfer Center
The multi-agency agreement between HART, the Hillsborough Aviation Authority and Florida Department of Transportation allows construction of a transfer center at TIA that will operate as an intermodal hub in the Westshore area. The facility will connect existing and future transit services, including HART local and limited express routes, cross-bay express service operated by Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), and future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and circulator services. Design would be undertaken this fall, with construction underway next summer. The transfer center would be operational in summer 2011.
Streetcar Extension Contract Awarded, Ridership Strong
HART also took the next step toward bringing the TECO Line Streetcar System to downtown Tampa with the selection of Kimmins Contracting Corp. as the contractor for design-build services for the system's extension to Whiting Street.
This action builds on the growing success of the streetcar system, which has experienced 17% ridership growth to date in FY 2009, along with a 22% growth in revenue for the month of March 2009. In fact, streetcar system ridership for the week of March 30th was particularly high, with 12,815 rides taken thanks in part to the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance holding its annual meeting at the Tampa Convention Center last week.
Federal Funding for Projects
The Board approved HART staff's plans for funding provided to HART under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, including the purchase of new vehicles, accessibility improvements, upgrades to the 21st Avenue operations and maintenance facility, the streetcar extension, fleet overhaul and other improvements. Input at a public hearing held in March was supportive of projects to be funded with the federal stimulus dollars.
HART Mission Statement
Our Team is dedicated to providing excellent customer service while building solutions to support Hillsborough County's needs...now and into the future.
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