Hillsborough County’s bus system could soon face a major shake-up. State Rep. Michael Owen is drafting legislation to dissolve the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) and create a new Tampa-focused agency.

The proposed Tampa Transit Authority would operate only within city limits and could be funded by a city sales tax rather than higher countywide property taxes.

But critics warn the plan would strip reliable transit from more than a million residents who live outside Tampa. HART board chairman and Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera said seniors and people with disabilities who depend on paratransit services could be left stranded.

“You don’t take away mass transit funding for the rest of the county,” Viera said.

Owen argues that since most of HART’s riders are in Tampa, city taxpayers should carry the cost. He also blasted HART’s recent consideration of raising property taxes.

Hillsborough Commissioner Josh Wostal backs Owen’s approach, saying county residents shouldn’t pay for services they rarely use. “We can’t keep saving the few to hurt the many,” Wostal said.

By the numbers:

• 12.6 million riders used HART last year
• Hillsborough County population: ~1.6 million
• Tampa population: ~400,000

Owen expects to file the bill by October. If approved, the transition could take two to four years, allowing Tampa voters to decide whether to fund new projects, such as light rail.

For now, HART says it has not received any formal proposal and remains focused on serving the entire county. Tampa officials declined to comment until legislation is formally introduced.

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(Image credit: HART)

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