10 things to know about the changes to HART fares and Route 1

Flamingo Fares Tampa Bay logo with image of a Plan Hillsborough employee working with a bus rider to obtain feedback.

Published
January 22, 2025

Contact
Planner – [email protected] – 813-272-5940

Last updated
January 22, 2025

Exciting updates are here for Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) riders! With a new year comes a fresh fare system and big improvements to the busiest bus route in the area. Whether you’re a regular rider or just thinking about giving public transit a try, here’s what’s happening. 

As of January 2025, HART has gone all-in on the Flamingo Fare system, which makes paying for your ride easier and more flexible. Here are the highlights: 

  1. No more paper passes: Cash is still accepted on board, but only for one-way trips ($2 exact change). 
  2. Flamingo Fare Cards: These cost $3 (one-time) and let you load money online, via the Flamingo app or at HART service centers.
  3. Daily and Monthly Fare Caps: No matter how often you ride, you pay no more than $4 per day or $65 per month. 
  4. Tap-to-Pay Convenience: You can board faster using your Flamingo Card, smartphone, debit/credit card or pre-paid card. 
  5. Money-Saving Discounts: Available for youth, seniors, veterans, Medicare users and more. 
  6. Cross-County Travel: Use the same card to ride between Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. 

The best part? Your money stays safe if you lose your card, and you’ll never pay for more rides than you use. 

HART’s busiest bus route, Route 1, also just got even better! Here’s what’s new: 

  1. Fare-Free Rides: Starting January 5, 2025, no fares on Route 1—just hop on and go! (Provided by the City of Tampa)
  2. Better Service: 15-minute wait times all day on weekdays (6 AM–6 PM). 
  3. Paratransit Perks: Paratransit trips within 1.5 miles of Route 1 are also fare-free, with ridership expected to increase by 20%. 
  4. Community Impact: Route 1 connects 70% of the bus network, the TECO Streetcar, 32,400 residents, and 56,100 jobs. With 18% of households along the route without cars, these changes will make a real difference. 

Get Started with Flamingo Fares 

Load your card online, in the app, or visit HART service centers at: 

  • Marion Transit Center: 1211 N. Marion St. 
  • University Area Transit Center: 13100 N. 27th St. 
    Hours: Mon–Fri 6 AM–6 PM, Sat 8 AM–5 PM. 

With faster boarding, fare caps and free rides on Route 1, HART is making public transit easier and more affordable. Give it a try! 

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Plan Hillsborough 2026