Move over Uber.
The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority announced it is working with electric car maker Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) to create a ride hailing service for transit users.
HART CEO Katharine Eagan made the announcement Wednesday night at a Tampa Innovation Alliance event at University Mall.
The new feature called HyperLINK is the first of its kind worldwide, according to HART. It uses rideshare technology including demand response dispatch, a smartphone app and credit card payments, all with the guarantee of transit. By law, publicly funded transit agencies must comply with Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
The service will be available almost all day. The Tesla partnership is part of a first/last mile solutions project within the innovation district.
“HART has a demonstrated history of implementing new transit technologies and initiatives to meet unique community transit needs,” Eagan said.
The partnership also includes TECO and the Tampa Innovation Alliance. Eagan praised local leaders including Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Sen. Jeff Brandes for fostering a community that promotes technology innovation.
Few other details are known about HART’s relationship with Tesla, but Eagan said to “stay tuned” for more updates on “moving beyond the bus.”
Janelle Irwin is a reporter for the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
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