THE Bus (Hernando County, Florida)

Hernando County Transit (The Bus) is a cooperative effort of the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners, Metropolitan Planning Organization, City of Brooksville, Florida Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration and RATP Dev in serving the people of Hernando County with affordable public transportation.[1]

Hernando County Transit (The Bus)
The Brooksville Shuttle, and Blue Route join Hernando ParaTransit at the Mariner Square shopping center on SR 50 in Spring Hill, Florida.
FoundedOctober 28, 2002
Headquarters20 N. Main St. Brooksville, FL 34601
LocaleBrooksville, Florida
Service areaHernando County
Service typebus service, paratransit
Routes4
DestinationsBrooksville, Spring Hill, Pasco County
HubsBrooksville, Spring Hill, Pasco County
Fuel typeDiesel
OperatorRATP Dev
WebsiteTHE Bus

History

Prior to the establishment of The Bus, the only resemblance to public transportation available in Hernando County was a tourist bus company in Brooksville, and a local ParaTransit company, both which were privately owned.

On October 28, 2002, service commenced on the Spring Hill Routes (Red and Blue) serving the greater Spring Hill area. One week later on November 4, 2002, the Brooksville Purple Route commenced service, serving the Brooksville area with a connection to the Spring Hill Routes on SR 50. The system began with 4 buses in Spring Hill and 1 bus in Brooksville. By the 7th day of operation, ridership surpassed the 3rd year projection of 200 trips per day, with ridership of 219 trips. After 22 months of operation, THE Bus was averaging 425 to 434 trips per day. The service was only available on weekdays.

Throughout the 2010s, service was further expanded with the additions of the Green Route, extensions of the Purple Route including the systems first connection in Pasco County, and extensive realignments of the Blue and Purple Routes. Service was increased to provide hourly service on all routes.[2] In October 2019, Saturday service was introduced in addition to increases in service hours on weekdays.

Currently the system operates Monday–Friday from approximately 5:30AM until 8:30PM and on Saturdays from 5:30AM until 7:30PM.

There is no Sunday service.

Current Scope of Service

Hernando County Transit (The Bus) operates 4 fixed bus routes throughout Hernando County, including a connection to Pasco County's Public Transit Route 21 via the Purple Route.

Service operates six days a week:

  • Monday–Friday 5:30 AM – 8:30 PM
  • Saturday 5:30 AM – 7:30 PM

There is no Sunday service, nor service on certain holidays.[3]

Current Routes

as of October 1st, 2019
Route Color From To Via

(Major Roads Traveled)

Hours of Operation Notes
Blue Walmart - SR 50

Brooksville

Bayfront Health - Spring Hill (Hospital)

Spring Hill

Mariner Blvd. Weekdays: 6:00 AM – 7:54 PM

Saturdays: 6:00 AM – 6:54 PM

Red Mariner & Northcliffe Blvd

Spring Hill

Walmart - US 19

& Spring Hill Drive

Spring Hill

Northcliffe Blvd, Deltona Blvd,

Forest Oaks Blvd, US 19

Weekdays: 5:47 AM – 7:43 PM

Saturdays: 5:37 AM – 6:43 PM

Purple Pasco Hernando State College

Brooksville Campus

Scheer Commerce Center

Emerald Beach Blvd & US 19,

Hudson, Pasco County

US 98, US 41, SR 50, US 19 Weekdays: 5:30 AM – 8:20 PM

Saturdays: 5:37 AM – 7:20 PM

Connection to

Pasco County Public Transit Route 21

Serves Weeki Wachee Springs

Green Walmart - US 41

& Wiscon Road

Brooksville

Pasco Hernando State College

Spring Hill Campus

Spring Hill

Wiscon Rd, California St,

Spring Hill Drive, US 19

Weekdays: 6:10 AM – 8:03 PM

Saturdays: 5:37 AM – 7:03 PM

Serves

Brooksville-Tampa Regional Airport

Fare Structure

The cash fare to board the bus is $1.25. A reduced fare of 60 cents is available to Medicare card holders, persons with disabilities, and students (with a valid ID). Transfers to other buses (for as many 1-way trips within a 2-hour period, round-trips & stopovers prohibited; no transfer use charge thereafter) are $0.50 and children under 7 with fare-paying rider are free; limit 3. Fare must be paid with exact change.

Additionally, discounted 12- and 18-trip ticket book and monthly passes are available at various branches of the Hernando County Library System, the bookstores of both the Spring Hill and Brooksville locations of Pasco-Hernando State College (Cash, Money Order & Debit/Credit), and Brooksville City Hall (Cash/Money Order Only).

References

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