The Future of Tampa Transit and Route 1’s Surge

In episode 154, Garrett sits down with Tampa City Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak to unpack how the city is prioritizing streets, sidewalks, and stormwater after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, why council shifted millions from parking to paving, and how a one-year fare-free, higher-frequency Route 1 pilot is boosting ridership and setting the stage for bus rapid transit. We cover the rules behind city budgeting, the role of public comment, the case for public-private partnerships on EV charging, and the path to a HART millage ballot to expand service and fix the fleet. If you care about how Tampa actually gets things built and how to scale reliable transit, this one’s for you