Page Updated on 08/27/2018.
The Tampa Bay Area comprises of several transit agencies, with each covering the counties by which they were created in. The agencies that I cover in this area comprise of Hillsborough (HART), Pinellas (PSTA), Manatee (MCAT), Sarasota (SCAT), Pasco (PCPT), Hernando (THEbus), and Citrus (Citrus County Transit) Counties. There is also a seasonal ferry service (the Cross-Bay Ferry) that operates seven-days-a-week between Downtown Tampa and Downtown St. Petersburg.
A section on Polk County’s public transit system (Polk Citrus Connection) will be created later on.
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART)
GTG Information Section
Includes system overview, fares, routes, and projects
External Links
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Blog (Google Blogger)
OneBusAway (Real-Time Bus Arrivals)
Laicos Bus Finder (3rd-Party Bus Tracker App)*
Bus Arrival Info is also available through the Transit App* by going to your smart phone’s app store.
Service Alerts (Everbridge Email/Text/Automated Call Service)
GTFS Data for Google Maps is available, including Real-Time scheduling information
* Not officially endorsed by the transit agency.
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)
GTG Information Section
Includes system overview, fares, routes, and projects
External Links
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Blog (WordPress)
PSTA RealTime (Real-Time Bus Arrivals and Bus Tracker – Clever Devices)
Bus Arrival Info is also available through the Transit App* by going to your smart phone’s app store.
GTFS Data for Google Maps is available, including Real-Time scheduling information
Cross-Bay Ferry
This ferry service links Downtown Tampa with Downtown St. Pete with a daily limited schedule during the winter and spring months. Service is slated to resume in November, 2018.
System Overview
(Includes fare, schedule, fleet, and parking information, as well as transit connections and future expansions)
External Links
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Website was taken offline amid uncertainty as to whether the service would be able to return in 2017 or 2018. As preparation for 2018/2019 service begins, the website will be re-launched (exact date is TBD).
Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT)
GTG Information Section
Includes system overview, fares, routes, and projects
External Links
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GTFS Data for Google Maps is available
Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT)
GTG Information Section
Includes system overview, fares, routes, and projects
External Links
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Twitter (Debuted April, 2015)
GTFS Data for Google Maps is available
Polk Citrus Connection
A section on the Polk County bus system will be created at a later date. In the meantime, please visit the Citrus Connection website for system information.
Northern Tampa Bay
Since Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus Counties are much smaller, their transit agencies are also smaller than the counties I’ve mentioned so far. Thus, these three counties are all listed on the Northern Tampa Bay Page.
Agency Websites
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Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) – Pasco County
Hernando THEbus – Hernando County
Citrus County Transportation – Citrus County
Social Media
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Pasco County Public Transportation currently has a presence on Facebook and Twitter.
Tampa Bay Regional Transit Authority (TBARTA)
Originally known as the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority, the agency is a multi-county agency created in 2008 to facilitate regional transportation planning and discussion. The agency was reconfigured in 2017 to focus more specifically on regional transit projects and alternative commuting services (such as Vanpools). The agency also oversees operation of the region’s Commuter Services, which comprise of Carpooling and Vanpooling services, as well as ride-matching services and Emergency Ride Home.
Please visit the TBARTA website to learn more about its focus and services.
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