Complimentary cart rides to popular UT party destinations were recently suspended.

According to TBT Tampa’s Public Transportation Commission stopped the service on Aug. 12 due to concerns raised by competing cab companies.

The suspension is reported to be temporary until accommodations are reached by all involved parties.

Proposed amendments to these services such as Hop Tampa include limiting the range of their transportation to Hyde Park, Channel District and Ybor City, as well as charging minimal fees for services and performing more stringent background checks on cart drivers.

Such changes may help to level the playing field for Tampa transportation services and neutralize the concerns over unfair competition.

Despite these looming hurtles, Hop Tampa remains optimistic that their services will soon reopen and be made available to the public.

In the absence of cart operation, Yellow Cab has instituted its own complimentary Green Fleet service composed of hybrid vehicles.

Green Fleet offers free student transportation to Ybor City, Channelside, and South Howard Avenue destinations and can be contacted at (813) 888-5008.

Yellow Cab’s Green Fleet – Free, but tips suggested

Yellow Cab

Ride                       Price
First 1/5 mile                 $ 2.00
Each additional 1/5 mile             $ 0.45
Each 80 seconds of waiting time)         $ 0.40

253-0121

Call a TAXI! Yellow cab has a pre-paid card students can purchase so having money for a Yellow Cab won’t be a problem.

Call: 813-253-0121 Purchase a HOME SAFE prepaid card through Discover Cards, which is a card specifically for transportation that takes credit cards. http://www.homesafecard.com/

Green Fleet offers free services from UT to downtown Tampa, Channelside, Soho and Ybor City only. Call 813-888-5008.