Tampa Boosts Transit Ridership with Fare-Free Pilot and Frequency Improvements

City Council's pragmatic approach on HART Route 1 produces results, with plans to further enhance service levels.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 5:23pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Tampa City Council funded a one-year fare-free pilot on HART's busiest Route 1, which saw a 45% increase in ridership. While the free fares have ended, the city continues to fund 15-minute weekday service and is adding more frequency improvements in the evenings and on weekends. The goal is to steadily improve service on Route 1 to eventually reach the threshold for bus rapid transit.

Why it matters

Tampa's transit conversation has historically been long and frustrating, with studies and ideas that rarely led to sustained commitment. The Route 1 pilot, with its clear start/end dates, funding, and metrics, represents a more pragmatic approach to improving transit that is meeting people where they are. As Tampa's urban core grows rapidly, viable transit alternatives are crucial to address congestion and mobility challenges.

The details

The one-year fare-free pilot on HART Route 1 from January 2025 to January 2026 led to a 45% increase in ridership. Improved frequency, from 20 minutes to 15 minutes during weekdays, played a significant role. While the free fares have ended, the City of Tampa continues to fund the 15-minute weekday service and is adding more frequency enhancements, improving service from 30 minutes to 20 minutes on weekday evenings and weekends.

  • The one-year fare-free pilot on HART Route 1 ran from January 5, 2025 through January 4, 2026.
  • The City of Tampa continues to fund the 15-minute weekday service on Route 1 beyond the pilot period.
  • Additional frequency improvements, from 30 minutes to 20 minutes, are being added on weekday evenings and weekends starting in 2026 and running through January 2027.

The players

Lynn Hurtak

A Tampa City Council member who says the city has reached the point where developing better transit service is not optional.

Heather Sobush

HART Director of Planning and Scheduling, who says improved frequency played a significant role in the ridership spike during the fare-free pilot.

Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART)

The regional transit agency that operates Route 1, which connects downtown Tampa to the University of South Florida and other key destinations.

Dayna Lazarus

A transit advocate who says the conversation today is fundamentally different than 10 years ago, with a focus on practical improvements like increased frequency and bus rapid transit corridors.

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)

The transit agency that launched the SunRunner bus rapid transit system in Pinellas County in 2022, which has surpassed 2.5 million passengers in its first three years.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're at an inflection point for public transit.”

— Lynn Hurtak, Tampa City Council member (83degreesmedia.com)

“Public appetite for hybrid solutions is growing. No one is asking for transit absolutism.”

— Lynn Hurtak, Tampa City Council member (83degreesmedia.com)

“The time for transit is now.”

— Lynn Hurtak, Tampa City Council member (83degreesmedia.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This pragmatic approach to improving transit service on HART Route 1, with clear metrics, funding, and a focus on practical enhancements like increased frequency, demonstrates how modest, targeted investments can reshape how a city moves. As Tampa's urban core grows rapidly, this model could be replicated to address the region's mounting mobility challenges.