Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART)

What Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) does

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART), legally known as Hillsborough Transit Authority, is a government-designated public transit authority serving Hillsborough County, Florida, founded in 1979 and headquartered in Tampa. HART operates a multi-modal transit network spanning approximately 1,000 square miles with a fleet of nearly 200 CNG-powered buses, delivering fixed-route local bus service, limited express and commuter express routes, the MetroRapid bus rapid transit corridor, paratransit service (HARTPlus), demand-responsive van service (HARTFlex), and the free 2.7-mile heritage TECO Line Streetcar System connecting Downtown Tampa, the Channel District, and Ybor City. Additional services include Park-n-Ride facilities, regional Route 275LX inter-county service to Pasco County, a vanpool program with Enterprise, hurricane evacuation routes to four Red Cross shelters, and the HART For All accessibility initiative.

HART's technology stack centers on the Flamingo Fares regional electronic payment system (co-developed with PSTA at $10M+ investment) enabling tap-and-go payments via smart cards, mobile apps, and contactless methods including Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Cash App Card, and contactless debit/credit cards, with automated fare capping. Real-time tracking is provided through OneBusAway Tampa and the Transit App (Royale tier). The agency maintains ADA-compliant accessibility across all buses, with PA system stop announcements, wheelchair accommodation (up to two per bus), and a website pursuing WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance.

HART generates revenue through a hybrid model combining passenger fares (one-way $1-$4 with daily/monthly fare caps), federal Transit Administration grants, Florida Department of Transportation funding, and local government appropriations including a county surtax. The customer base is highly distributed across general commuters, students (notably the USF U-Pass Program), seniors, persons with disabilities, veterans, Medicare recipients, tourists, and institutional partners (City of Tampa corporate program, Tampa International Airport ground access). The authority is governed by a Board of Directors, is not privately owned, and operates under federal and state transportation regulations including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and 49 CFR Part 26 (DBE Program).

Name

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART)

Legal name

Hillsborough Transit Authority

Website

https://gohart.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

HART is a Florida government transit authority operating bus, paratransit, van, and streetcar services across 1,000 square miles of Hillsborough County. It serves commuters, students, seniors, and people with disabilities through a regional fare system and nearly 200 CNG buses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Transportation

NAICS

Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems (485113), Urban Transit Systems (48511), Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation (485210), Special Needs Transportation (485991)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Economy/Conventional Scheduled Intercity Bus Services (THAIADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Park-and-Ride Facilities & Transit Parking (THAIALAI), Park-and-Ride / Last-Mile Carpool Connector Services (THADAFAJ), Vanpooling & Commuter Shuttle Carpool Services (THADAFAE), Corporate Shuttle, Pool Car & Motor Pool Management (THADAOAF)

Keywords

• Public transit services
• Fixed route bus service
• Paratransit transportation
• Streetcar transit system
• Regional fare payment

Headquarters

HQ city

Tampa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Passenger Fares: Revenue generated from one-way fares, daily passes, monthly passes, and discounted fares for students, seniors, persons with disabilities, and veterans
2. Government Funding and Grants: Federal Transit Administration grants, Florida Department of Transportation funding, and local government appropriations including a $23.4 million federal grant for bus maintenance facility improvements

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

HART operates public bus, paratransit (HARTPlus), van (HARTFlex), and the heritage TECO Line Streetcar services across approximately 1,000 square miles of Hillsborough County, Florida. Its portfolio also includes MetroRapid bus rapid transit, the free In-Towner downtown circulator, the regional Route 275LX express, and the Flamingo Fares electronic payment system shared with PSTA. Supplementary offerings include emergency evacuation services, Park-n-Ride facilities, a vanpool program, and the HART For All accessibility initiative.

Product overview

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) operates a multi-modal public transit system serving Hillsborough County, Florida. The core offering consists of fixed-route bus services (local, limited express, and commuter express), paratransit services (HARTPlus), flexible van service (HARTFlex), and the heritage TECO Line Streetcar System. HART also provides supplementary services including MetroRapid bus rapid transit, the free downtown In-Towner circulator, and regional Route 275LX express service. The portfolio integrates Flamingo Fares, a regional electronic fare payment system enabling tap-and-go payments via smart card or mobile app across HART and partner agency PSTA. Additional services include emergency evacuation operations, Park-n-Ride facilities, vanpool programs, and accessibility initiatives under the HART For All program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TECO Line Streetcar System: A 2.7-mile streetcar line running along Downtown Tampa, through the Channel District, and Ybor City featuring historical replica streetcars. Now FREE with extended morning and late night hours.
• HARTPlus
• HARTFlex
• MetroRapid
• In-Towner (Route 96)

Products and services

• Fixed-Route Bus Service Local bus service operating throughout Hillsborough County covering approximately 1,000 sq. miles with a fleet of nearly 200 buses. Includes Local Routes, Limited Express, and Commuter Express options for general public riders.
• HARTPlus Paratransit Door-to-door paratransit van service for people with physical, cognitive, emotional, visual, or other disabilities who are unable to use fixed-route bus service.
• HARTFlex Van Service Curb-to-curb van service operating in the University area via fixed-route walk-up service (HARTFlex East Fletcher) and on-demand service within designated zones.
• TECO Line Streetcar System 2.7-mile heritage streetcar line connecting Downtown Tampa, Channel District, and Ybor City featuring historical replica streetcars. Free to riders with extended morning and late night hours.
• MetroRapid Bus Rapid Transit Bus rapid transit service providing faster, more frequent service along major corridors with limited stops and enhanced stations, connecting Hidden River Regional Park-n-Ride to Downtown Tampa through University Area Transit Center.
• In-Towner Downtown Circulator (Route 96) Free downtown circulator service connecting Marion Transit Center to Dick Greco Plaza/Harbour Island with 15-minute frequency, serving downtown Tampa hotels, attractions, and business districts.
• Route 275LX Intercounty Express Regional limited-stop express service connecting Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, University area, and Downtown Tampa to Tampa International Airport. Operates seven days a week with hourly service.
• Flamingo Fares Electronic Payment System Regional electronic fare payment system enabling tap-and-go payments via smart card, mobile app, or contactless payment. Features fare capping, balance protection, and cross-agency compatibility with PSTA.
• Vanpool Service Commuter vanpool program operated in partnership with PSTA and Enterprise. Groups of six or more employees share a van for daily commute, with backup driver and emergency rides provided.
• Severe Weather/Emergency Evacuation Service Special bus service activated during hurricanes and severe weather events. Provides transportation to four Red Cross shelter locations via nine designated evacuation routes when regular service is suspended.

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of Flamingo Fares regional fare payment system enabling customers to use a single payment method across both transit agencies. The smart card and e-fare system represents a $10+ million investment through grants.
• Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at USF (CARD USF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner collaboration for the HART For All accessibility initiative, developing ASD Inclusion Guides and resources for riders with autism spectrum disorder and hidden disabilities.
• Lighthouse for the Blind & Low VisionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for HART For All accessibility initiative, supporting enhanced services for riders with visual impairments and other disabilities.
• Tampa International AirportminorOthersTampa International Airport handles Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification for HART's DBE program compliance with 49 CFR Part 26.
• TECO (Tampa Electric Company)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTECO Line Streetcar System is sponsored by TECO Energy. The 2.7-mile heritage streetcar line connects Downtown Tampa, Channel District, and Ybor City with free service and extended hours.
• Transit AppcoreTechnology or IntegrationHART upgraded to Royale for all customers, providing access to all bus, van, and streetcar routes through the Transit App with real-time tracking, customizable themes, and personalized avatars.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA): PSTA is HART's direct regional partner and co-developer of Flamingo Fares. It operates bus and paratransit service across neighboring Pinellas County, serving overlapping Tampa Bay riders and using the same shared-fare technology stack.
• LYNX (Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority): LYNX provides fixed-route bus, paratransit (ACCESS LYNX), and flex service across Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties. Comparable in scale, fleet size, and service mix to HART, and is the closest in-state peer outside the Tampa Bay region.
• Broward County Transit (BCT): BCT operates fixed-route bus and paratransit (TOPS) in Broward County. Highly comparable in scope and service mix to HART, serving another large Florida urban county alongside MDT.
• Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA): JTA runs bus, First Coast Flyer BRT, and the Skyway in Jacksonville. Comparable as a Florida transit authority running fixed-route, BRT, and streetcar/light-rail style services, with a similar mix of urban and suburban riders.
• Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA): CDTA operates fixed-route bus, paratransit, and BRT-like services in the Albany NY region. Comparable mid-sized authority with similar service mix to HART and is roughly similar in fleet scale.

Broad incumbents

• Miami-Dade Transit (MDT): MDT operates Metrobus, Metrorail, and Metromover, the largest transit network in Florida. Comparable as a multi-modal Florida transit authority but materially larger in fleet, ridership, and rail footprint than HART.
• Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS): CATS operates bus, the LYNX light rail, and streetcar in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Comparable in multi-modal Florida-adjacent peer in mid-sized urban transit scope, but adds rail as a differentiating asset.
• Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART): DART operates the largest light rail system in the U.S. alongside bus and paratransit. Comparable as a multi-modal, multi-service transit authority, but materially larger than HART in fleet, rail, and ridership.
• Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA): MARTA runs bus, heavy rail, and paratransit in metro Atlanta. Comparable in offering bus plus paratransit at urban scale, with rail as an additional asset beyond HART's bus/streetcar scope.
• Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet): TriMet operates bus, WES commuter rail, MAX light rail, and paratransit (LIFT) in Portland. Comparable multi-modal transit authority with park-and-ride, BRT, and accessibility programs analogous to HART's portfolio, though substantially larger.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GoHART
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/harttransit
• Facebookfacebook.com/HillsboroughTransit
• Instagraminstagram.com/HARTTransit

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART)