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Hillsborough County bus riders could see stop improvements this year.Officials announced new technology plans for transit riders Thursday.
City leaders gathered in East Tampa to cut the ribbon on a newly installed bus shelter.
They also announced passenger improvements, funded by a $5 million community investment grant.
A new feature is a digital display showing bus arrival times.
The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority will also install 60 shelters – small structures at bus stops to protect people from the elements.
Councilman Luis Viera said improvements are needed.
“They protect people. A lot of times when you see bus shelters that are not protected, they inadvertently send a message to the community that while you’re waiting on a bus that’s going to help you get to work, etc., we’re not going to be there with you,” Viera said.
Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Meyers said the improvements are important because of increased ridership.
“It’s important that people continue to take the HART bus. For some, it’s their only means of transportation,” Meyers said.
HART says they plan to install most of the shelters in the coming months, and digital displays at stops will likely be deployed next year.