TAMPA, Fla. – Starting January 5, 2025, riders of Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) Route 1 will be able to ride for free for a year.
The Tampa City Council approved a $1.6 million budget allocation to fund the initiative. The money, originally intended for electric vehicle charging stations, will now be used to provide free rides on one of Tampa’s busiest bus routes.
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The free rides are expected to benefit a significant number of riders, including students, veterans, and working families. The route connects downtown Tampa to the University of South Florida campus and the Veterans Affairs hospital.
By making the route free, city officials hope to encourage more people to use public transportation and reduce traffic congestion. The initiative is also seen as a way to support affordable transportation options for low-income residents.
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While the decision to fund the free rides was met with support from some council members, others expressed concerns about the city’s limited budget and the role of the city in funding HART initiatives.
Despite these concerns, the free ride initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the community and promote the use of public transportation in Tampa.
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