Florida Bill Proposes Dissolving HART Transit, Creating Tampa-Only Agency

Proposed Dissolution of HART Transit

• 🏛️ A Florida lawmaker, State Representative Michael Owen, is sponsoring legislation to dissolve the HART transit system after 45 years of service.
• 🎯 The proposal aims to replace the countywide agency with a Tampa-only transit authority, funded by the city instead of the county.

Arguments for the Bill

• 📊 Representative Owen argues that the majority of HART riders are within Tampa city limits, yet property taxes are raised for the entire county.
• 🗺️ He states that Tampa has grown geographically and that city bus service is not needed in rural areas, leading to overreach and unjustified taxation.
• 📈 Owen believes the current system overreaches by trying to provide service to areas with no rider density, effectively taxing people in distant parts of the county for services they don't use.

Concerns and Opposition

• 😟 The chairman of HART's board expressed shock, calling the proposal to shift funding from a 1.6 million person county to a 400,000 person city unacceptable.
• 🚌 Lewis Vieira highlights concerns for individuals with disabilities or those who rely on HART for transportation to work or essential services in areas like Brandon, Temple Terrace, and Wimauma.
• ⚠️ County Commissioner Josh Wasl, also on HART's board, supports the bill, stating the system currently harms the many to save the few.

Transition and Official Response

• ⏳ Representative Owen expects the bill to be ready by October, with a two to four-year transition period.
• 🗣️ The City of Tampa has stated they will not comment on the plans until an official bill is put forward.