Tampa takes step in making public transportation more accessible
Hart’s popular route one will be fare-free starting January 2025.
Councilwoman Lynn Hurt aims to make the route available regardless of income and reduce wait times from 30 minutes to 15 minutes. Supporter Tatiana Morales expressed the need for accessible public transportation during the HART board meeting on September 23, sharing her father’s struggle to drive after suffering a stroke.
“When you help uplift those most vulnerable people you help provide them a more equitable role in our society,” Morales said. “A lot of these people are in this room and they really do want a better system and believe in you for providing that better system.”
The fare-free bus is only one of the strategies the City of Tampa has for improving public transportation.
Hart received $1.5 million from the City of Tampa budget to improve public transportation in Hillsborough County and added $150,000 for transit for people with disabilities. The board made the final decision to pass the motion on September 23. Chairman of the HART board Luis Viera said public transportation is one of the best investments the city can make.
“I do believe that’s what the people of Hillsborough county want,” Viera said. “Which is more transportation options, better roads, better streets, more sidewalks, more protections for bicyclists and our pedestrians, etc. That’s, I think, what people want long term.”
The U.S. Postal Service helps bring the holiday cheer
Kids everywhere are writing letters to the North Pole to prepare for the upcoming Christmas season. The United States Postal Service is helping spread holiday cheer with the help of some special elves.
Operation Santa is a program where people can “adopt” letters that kids write to Santa Claus through USPS. Once someone chooses a letter, they can buy a gift and ship it with USPS through “Santa’s gift shoppe.” The post office says the program is safe for kids since personal information is redacted so that those viewing the letters can’t see names, addresses or other identifiers.
Kids have until December 9 to write and send their letters to Santa. There is no age limit. The USPS said you are never too old to believe in the magic of the season. If you are interested in helping Santa, the last day to ship your gifts is December 16. As part of the program, the adopters cover the cost of shipping.
To send letters, address the envelope to Santa at 123 Elf Road North Pole, 88888 and drop it off at any post office. Make sure to include your full name, return address and apartment number on the upper left corner and a First-Class stamp on the upper right corner.
For more information visit the Operation Santa website.
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