HART Express Line Feedback (MacDill) (Tampa, Brandon: houses, transfer, schools)

[rgbuckl]

I'm moving to Tampa this coming year and until now, have been primarily looking in the East Lake, Westchase, Odessa areas for the better schools and newer, more modern houses. I'll be working at MacDill, so a few people on here have suggested the Bloomingdale area since they have the Express Bus Line that delivers to MacDill.

Can anyone share some firsthand experience riding those buses? How crowded are they? How well do they stick to schedules? How well do the park and rides work? Do Navy folks get to ride in their new NWU uniforms? I've heard there may be wireless involved for the commute. Etc, etc...

I plan on retiring there and getting on as a civilian after the military life, so I definitely want to be in the right situation in the right place that I'll be happy for years to come.

Thanks!

[ferret111]

I've taken the old 49LX from Downtown Tampa out to Westchase and it was pretty full. Same thing with the 100X over to St. Pete. There are, I believe, two express buses that run from MacDill out to Brandon/Riverview. The only stop between MacDill and the eastern suburbs is Downtown Tampa. The express buses certainly aren't lacking in riders, as they do fill up. I've never used a park and ride, but I can vouch for the buses sticking to schedules. If for some reason a bus is late to a transfer point and you can see your connecting bus leave, tell the driver and most of them will signal the other bus and let you off so you can connect. I think some of the buses have wi-fi, but I've never used it.

[rgbuckl]

I think I saw in another string you'd said that. (You were one of the people tipping me off about Bloomingdale and the Express). I wonder if that's on the actual bus or just getting a signal while driving through town? Either way, sounds way cool to relax on the bus, sipping your coffee while surfing the net on your iPhone, iPad, laptop, etc.!