Information about commuting and parking in the Tampa bay area.

Commuting in Tampa Bay

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Commute Cost Calculator

To calculate just how much driving to work is costing you, check out this Commute Cost Calculator: Click here. It will likely add up to much more than you think. According to AAA, the 2005 national average cost to drive 15,000 miles in a four-door sedan was $8,580 per year. Costs increase significantly for sport utility vehicles and vans.

Traffic Alerts: TRANSPORTATION AMBASSADOR NETWORK

It’s important to stay informed during this time of ever-present construction. Join the Partnership’s Transportation Ambassador program to receive periodic email alerts relating to transportation concerns and opportunities that may affect your employees, tenants, customers, etc. Click here to subscribe.

Parking

With more than 22,000 parking spaces, there is always somewhere to park in Downtown Tampa.

Monthly Parking: Use the interactive map to search for parking options, cost and availability.
Hourly Parking: All parking garages have hourly parking available; rates vary.
Parking Meters: North of Kennedy Blvd. is free on weekends and weeknights after 6pm. Between Whiting and Kennedy is enforced Mon. – Sat. 8am – 8pm and Sun. 1pm – 8pm. Between Garrison Channel and Whiting is enforced Mon. – Sat. 8am – midnight. Rates vary. Change is available from Parking Enforcement Officers.

New technology is making the search for change to feed the parking meter a thing of the past. Tampa's new "I Park Personal Parking Card" is portable digital tool allows commuters to prepay parking meters, eliminating the need for exact change. Simply purchase the I Park Card at the City of Tampa Parking Division for $20, prepay in either $50 or $100 increments, and keep the digital tag hanger in their car. For more information call Jim Arnold at 813-274-8524 or visit the parking division at its North Franklin Street office.

Transit

Downtown serves as the transit hub for 30 local and express routes. Free trip planning assistance and an emergency ride home program are available. All buses and trolleys are equipped with bike racks.

New Routes. New Buses. More Service!This is HART’s mantra for their new Commuter Express routes. New service from New Tampa and Fish Hawk have helped cover all of Hillsborough County with convenient express routes to downtown Tampa.

Google recently selected the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) as one of a few agencies for the new Google Map transit trip planner. It works basically the same way as getting driving directions, except it tells site users which bus routes and transfers to take. Or call the HART info line at (813) 254-4278.

The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) and Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) have teamed up to save Bay Area commuters thousands of dollars with a new fare card called The Passport. This new inter-county transit pass allows riders unlimited travel on all HART and PSTA buses, trolleys, and the TECO Line Streetcar System for an entire month. The Passport costs just $85.00. Visit HART (Hillsborough County) or PSTA (Pinellas County) website for more information.

In-Town Trolley Network (Tampa)

Hop aboard HART’s Purple Line (Route 96), the yellow rubber-wheeled trolleys next time you need to get around downtown during peak commute times. Easy access to Tampa Convention Center, library, Harbour Island, Marion Transit Center, hotels and more. Service every 10 minutes Monday – Friday 6am – 9am and 3pm - 6pm.

HART's Green Line (Route 97), funded by the City of Tampa, benefits the evening crowds on Friday and Saturdays from 6pm - 2am. It runs every 10 minutes serving the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, St. Pete Times Forum, Channelside Bay Plaza and all of the major hotels downtown.

Both routes provide seamless connection to the TECOline Streetcar System and can be used as park-n-ride shuttles in the downtown core.\

Rides cost $.25 each or $3.25/day (valid on all bus routes and streetcar). Visit http://www.gohart.org/ or call 254-4278.

TECOline Streetcar (Tampa)

Let a nostalgic air-conditioned streetcar whisk you between historic Ybor City and downtown, stopping at Tampa Convention Center, Florida Aquarium, Garrison Seaport, St. Pete Times Forum and Channelside. Service every 15-20 minutes, hours vary. Rides cost $2 or $4/day. Residents, business owners and employees of the Streetcar Special Assessment District can purchase a 50% off 20 ride farecard for only $20. Visit http://www.tecolinestreetcar.org/ or 254-4278.

The Looper Downtown Trolley (St. Pete)

The Looper downtown trolley is the most convenient way to discover downtown St. Petersburg. It's great for visitors, residents and employees. The Looper links shopping, restaurants, museums, art galleries, The Pier, Baywalk and downtown hotels in one convenient loop. Park your car once and leave the driving to the Looper. The fare is onlu $0.25 each time you board. For seniors, those who are disabled, and Medicare card holders, the fare is only $0.10. Children 5 and under ride free. Exact chage is needed. Click here for more information on the Looper.

Best Workplace for Commuters District

In 2005, Tampa's Downtown received national recognition from the United States Environmental Protection Agency for becoming a "Best Workplaces for Commuters District." Our urban core was the first in Florida and only one of 16 in the country to gain this status. Downtown employees are now eligible for a comprehensive commuter benefits program including subsidized vehicles, free emergency taxi rides home, reduced fare on trolleys, etc. Benefits tend to improve a company's bottom line while bettering quality of life issues for employees and the communities in which they live. Many companies may already qualify. The application process only takes a few minutes and can be done online by clicking here.

Bay Area Commuter Services

Save yourself money and stress while doing your part to combat poor air quality by not always driving alone to work. We can help you choose which commute option(s) work best for you – carpool, vanpool, bus, walk, bike or telework. Take advantage of the many free services available such as carpool partner searches, individual trip planning assistance, tax-savings tips, bike pool groups and more.

Ez-Ride is a new quick and easy online service allowing commuters to find their carpool match. After providing home and work information, an e-mail listing commuters matching your commute profile is emailed to you for follow up.

Emergency Ride Home Program

Anyone using a commute option other than driving alone at least 2 days per week is eligible to receive a free taxi ride home from work in case of an emergency, illness or unscheduled overtime. Sign up by calling 800-998-RIDE or visiting the Bay Area Commuter Services (BACS) website.

Telework Tampa Bay

TeleworkTampa Bay offers telework consulting services, at no charge, to employers for implementing telework programs. Teleworking can be utilized as an emergency management and disaster recovery tool, as well as a viable work option that includes benefits such as improved productivity; improved employee retention and recruitment; reduced absenteeism; and reduced overhead. Visit the Telework Tampa Bay website for more information.

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Tampa Bay Traffic:

Veteran's Exwy NORTHBOUND: JAMFACTOR 0

Veteran's Exwy SOUTHBOUND: JAMFACTOR 0

County Road 611 NORTHBOUND: JAMFACTOR 0

49th St N NORTHBOUND: JAMFACTOR 0

McMullen Booth Rd NORTHBOUND: JAMFACTOR 0

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