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Bus Route Changes In Works

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By KATHY STEELE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 22, 2007

TAMPA - In a climate of budget tightening, the county's public bus service plans to retool some routes next spring.

Some, including those serving Sulphur Springs and Seminole Heights, could get increased weekend service. Others could see cutbacks, including an end to midday service on a route that ferries riders from Tampa to Westfield Brandon mall.

During the past weeks, HART has been gathering comments on the changes before making recommendations Jan. 7 to its executive board. Employees have visited 15 of the major bus terminals and transfer centers to talk with riders and complete surveys.

About 30,000 brochures detailing the changes have been distributed on buses and at libraries and malls.

On Tuesday, agency employees were at the Marion Transit Center in downtown to hear from riders.

"We're really sincere in bringing the comments back," HART spokeswoman Jill Cappadoro said. "They have made an impact either supporting what we need or at other times causing us to pause and to alter it to better fit the community."

Riders heading north from Ybor City to Sulphur Springs and the University Area via 15th Street could see Sunday buses with hourly service. Waits between buses on Nebraska Avenue on Sundays and on Hillsborough Avenue on Saturdays would drop from 60 minutes to 30 minutes.

A route serving Port Tampa and the West Shore area, as well as Tampa General Hospital, could have additional late-night service daily.

That would help Amy Hill, 18, work more hours at a clothing store at WestShore Plaza.

"I have to request that I don't work after 9 p.m.," she said.

Tanya Hill, 38, said she travels from downtown to Valrico and recently has had to wait longer or been unable to get late-night service.

"Why cut services you need the most because there are no riders," said Hill, who is not related to Amy Hill. "What about those who have to ride?"

Cappadoro said HART looks to make improvements based on ridership but "within the constraints of the existing budget. Some things have to be taken away or trimmed down."

About 60 percent of HART's funding is from property taxes and could be affected by a statewide tax referendum in January, she said.

Rider comments and a "serious" increase in weekend ridership prompted HART to look at adding weekend service on 15th, Hillsborough, Nebraska and Busch Boulevard.

Also slated to end is a Habana Avenue route between Sligh Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Cappadoro said all but a short segment duplicates a Rome Avenue/West Shore Boulevard route.

Comments on the route changes can be sent to: HART, Attention: Spring 2008 Service Changes, 201 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 900, Tampa FL 33602; by fax to (813) 223-7976; or by e-mail to planning@hartline .org. Enter "Spring 08 Service Changes" in the subject line.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 835-2103 or ksteele@tampatrib.com.

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