TPA and HART celebrate official launch of the region’s first daily intercounty bus route

(July 18, 2018) Tampa International Airport, local lawmakers and transit enthusiasts gathered on July 13 to celebrate another milestone in regional connectivity: the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority’s first seven-day-a-week intercounty service to downtown Tampa and TPA. 

HART launch

HART's Route 275 Limited Express, which started in early July, takes customers from the Wiregrass Park-n-Ride in Wesley Chapel to the TPA Rental Car Center’s SkyConnect station curbside, with stops in New Tampa, the university area and downtown. Customers can travel from the University Area Transit Center near the University of South Florida to downtown in only 20 minutes and from downtown’s Marion Transit Center to TPA in 22 minutes. 

"This additional service is a perfect example of making sure we put the needs of residents first," said HART Interim CEO Jeff Seward.

The 275LX service is one of two major mass transit announcements celebrated at TPA in the past month. In June, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority launched the area’s first bus service from Pinellas County to the Airport. PSTA’s 300X Airport Express takes riders from a free Park-n-Ride lot in Largo to the Rental Car Center’s SkyConnect station at TPA.

"The airport continues to grow, with a record number of passengers expected this year and more than 10,000 people working on the airport campus," TPA CEO Joe Lopano said at the July 13 ribbon cutting for HART. "Easy access for employees and travelers from throughout the entire region is essential for us to accomplish our mission as an economic engine for the Tampa Bay area.”

Florida State Senator Dana D. Young, Florida Department of Transportation District Seven Secretary David Gwynn, Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners and HART Board of Directors member Sandra Murman, !p Chief Potential Officer Mark Sharpe and Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore and SSP Director of Operations David Janacek were among the speakers who helped commemorate the milestone.

“If I lived in Wesley Chapel, Tampa Palms or Hunter's Green and had a park-n-ride where I can park my car, get on a bus with free Wi-Fi for $4 or $5 bucks, come to the airport and check my bags – who wouldn't do that?" said Sen. Young.

The Route 275LX is funded by the FDOT as a part of the Urban Corridor Project. For more information about the new service, go to: www.gohart.org/Pages/275lx.aspx.