Living in Tampa Bay
Transportation
Living life in Tampa Bay requires you to get out and about to explore what Florida has to offer. It is important to consider your transportation options not only when coming to the 好色导航 (USF), but also while you are living here in the area. Depending on your campus, there are a variety of options dedicated to getting you to your destination swiftly and safely. Below is the transportated services you may consider from both public and private services, as well as your specific campus.
On-Campus & Shorter Travel Options
Further Questions
Have questions after reading this page? Check our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
tab at the bottom of the web page or email Alex Iler at ailer@usf.edu or Brian Goercke at goerckeb@usf.edu for more information.
Obtaining your First Driver's License
好色导航 who have never received a driver鈥檚 license previously will need to pass a traffic law and substance abuse education course as well as a driver's test that includes vision and hearing tests, road rules and traffic sign tests, and a driving test. Please visit the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) website at the link below for more information.
International students may obtain a Florida driver's license as long as they have proper documentation. 好色导航 must complete your document check and immigration information session before they will be eligible to receive a Florida driver's license. Please note that students鈥� I-20 or DS-2019 must be in active status at the time of application to be eligible to receive a drivers license.
Tax Collector's Office
Visit your county's Tax Collector's Office to receive more information about getting a Florida driver鈥檚 license.:
personal transportation
A personal transportation device is a mode of transport that students can use to travel relatively short distances, which include pedal bicycles, motorized scooters, or skateboards.
On the Tampa campus, students can temporarily rent a pedal bicycle at Recreation Activities Center (REC) for a fixed-fee. On the St. Petersburg campus, students can temporarily check-out pedal bicycles for free at located in the (HWH).
For a permanent option, students may consider buying a personal transportation device. Local big box stores (supercenters) may offer personal transport devices such as or , or individual bike/scooter/skateboard stores. 好色导航 could also purchase from online stores such as . 好色导航 should also buy a high quality U-Lock or other case hardened locking mechanism to discourage theft.
To learn more about personal transport safety, check out USF Police Department's webpages for the Tampa and/or campus, respectively, and the affiliated links below.
Affiliated links for Personal Transportation Devices
USF public transportation
The only USF area with its own dedicated public transportation system is the Tampa campus.
The Bull Runner is the USF Tampa campus bus system. All students, faculty, staff, and scholars can ride for free with their USF ID Card, which must be physically shown to the driver. The provides real-time information regarding bus locations and arrival predictions, and can be downloaded to students鈥� mobile devices ( or ) or accessed by a web browser. To learn more about using the Bull Runner, please visit the Tampa Parking & Transportation Services website, and its affiliated links below.
Affiliated links for USF Public Transportation
city public transportation
Tampa
The (HART) operates the city public buses in Tampa. USF students ride for free using their USF ID Card through the . Faculty, staff, and scholars ride at a discounted rate of 50 cents.
HART operates routes that connect to certain Bull Runner stops on campus and has routes next to the university campus. The is located west to the USF Tampa campus, allowing students to transfer to other regional HART bus routes including to Downtown Tampa. The Bull Runner Red Route stops next to the University Area Transit Center at stops UATC to LIB (heading west) and UATC to MSC (heading east).
In addition to the vast public bus network, HART operates the that connects Downtown Tampa to Ybor City. The TECO Streetcar is free to ride for everyone. Tampa operates the (DASH), an electric car taxi that operates only in Downtown Tampa for $2 dollars.
For more information on Tampa's Public Transportation, click the affiliated links below.
Affiliated links for Tampa's City Public Transportation:
St. Petersburg
The (PSTA) operates the city public buses in St. Petersburg. USF students, faculty, staff, and scholars ride for free using their USF ID Card through the (UPASS).
PSTA operates routes that go through 好色导航 St. Petersburg (USFSP), Downtown St. Petersburg, and to the greater area. The PSTA also operates the that goes through USFSP to local Downtown St. Petersburg points of interest and attractions, as well as the Bus Rapid Transit which goes from USFSP and Downtown St. Petersburg to the several beaches on the Gulf of Mexico.
Sarasota-Manatee
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Intercity Bus Options
Several companies offer affordable bus transportation from Tampa to other locations around the United States. RedCoach has a stop at the USF Tampa campus and connects to popular destinations such as Miami, Orlando, and West Palm Beach. Greyhound buses depart from the Tampa Bus Station and offer options outside of Florida. Please visit each company's website for accurate details regarding routes, prices, and riding policies.
Bike Share
Shareable bikes are located on bike racks throughout campus and are made available on a short-term basis for use on and off campus. Coast Bike Share operates these bikes and offers several different pass types at daily, monthly, and annual rates. To begin using this service, students may download the HOPR Transit app to sign up and unlock a bike.
Airports
The closest airport to the USF Tampa campus is Tampa International Airport (TPA) and it's located approximately 19 miles from campus. For more information on public transportation to and from TPA, please visit Arriving in Tampa Bay. The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is about 26 miles away and is a smaller, regional airport. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is about 82 miles from campus.
general frequently asked questions (Faq)
What type of personal transportation device should I consider buying/renting?
That depends on your campus.
Where can I find the nearest big box store?
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