HART sees big ridership growth in December

HART ridership continued to be strong in December with 1.27 million boardings, an increase of 5.7 percent from last year. Fiscal year to date ridership is 4.1 percent ahead of the same period last year with HART on track to exceed over 15 million boardings in FY2015. All this, while gas prices are the lowest in six years! The most recent ridership report shows total passenger trips for December reached 1,272,735. That's 69,006 more riders choosing HART to get around Hillsborough County in December 2014 compared to the same month last year. 2014 was a critical year for HART with record ridership, further recognition of its innovative transit system and new community partnerships. Ridership gains and system improvements continue to be fueled by efforts to position HART as a better way to travel around Hillsborough County.   "Just as our current passengers are using our service more, we continue to attract new passengers with service and amenities that are increasingly relevant and attractive," said HART Chief Executive Officer Katharine Eagan. "Public transit in Hillsborough County continues to improve, and I encourage people who haven't been on a bus lately to give it a try."     Fast facts:  December 3 saw the greatest daily ridership throughout the month with 58,662 riders picking HART!  14 days exceeded 50,000 riders. MetroRapid ridership was 49,584 up 8.3 percent from December 2013 and up 2.8 percent (149,506) for the year. Year-to-date (FY2014 vs. FY2015), bus ridership is up 4.1 percent; an increase of 155,170 trips compared to the same period last year.   The following routes are our highest percentage gainers so far in FY2015,* showing that added investment in public transit pays off with more riders:    Route 46 (Downtown Tampa/Brandon via Causeway Blvd.): +140.5 percent increase (Removed from Davis Islands and extended in Brandon to Dover Rd. + midday service added.)  Route 57 (UATC/Temple Terrace/Netp@rk Transfer Center via Temple Temple Terrace): +25.4 percent increase (Saturday service added) Route 37 (Brandon/Netp@rk Transfer Center via Grand Regency Plaza): +17.5 percent increase (Sunday service added) Route 6 (Downtown Tampa to University Area Transit Center via 56th St.): +14.6 percent increase (Frequency increased in the midday from 30 to 20 minutes) (*Each of these routes were enhanced in FY2014.) For all-things HART, including OneBusAway, Real-time Arrival Information via Text Message, trip planning, schedules, maps and fares, just visit www.goHART.org.

January HART Board Recap: Officers Confirmed, Streetcar Study

Councilman Mike Suarez remains Board Chair

The HART Board of Directors approved the 2015 slate of officers at its regular monthly meeting held on January 5, 2015.

The Nominating Committee met in December to select a slate of officers and committee appointments to be voted on by the full Board. On Monday, the Board confirmed most of the nominating committee's selections, naming Tampa City Councilman Mike Suarez for a second full term as Chair. During the interactive voting process of HART Officers, Director Karen Jaroch was nominated as HART Board Vice Chair and Commissioner Sandra Murman as HART Board Secretary. Both were approved and confirmed by the HART Board of Directors. 

Appointments to Other Boards and Committees:

Tampa Historic Streetcar, Inc. Board
Members: Bryan Crino, Mickey Jacob, Councilman Eddie Vance
Alternates: Wallace Bowers, Councilman Mike Suarez, Karen Jaroch

Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization Board

Member: Josh Burgin
Alternate: Wallace Bowers

Transportation Disadvantaged Coordinating Board

Member: Commissioner Stacy White   

Alternate: Kathleen Shanahan 

Claims and Litigation Committee

Chair: Bryan Crino
Alternate: Kathleen Shanahan   

ADA Committee

Member: Commissioner Sandra Murman
Alternate:  Commissioner Kevin Beckner 

Audit Committee 

Members: C. John Melendez, Karen Jaroch, Wallace Bowers, Councilman Eddie Vance    

Finance, Governance and Administration Committee
Members: Karen Jaroch, Bryan Crino, Commissioner Sandra Murman, Commissioner Kevin Beckner, Councilman Eddie Vance, Kathleen Shanahan, Wallace Bowers
               

Major Projects and Legislative Committee

Members: Commissioner Lesley "Les" Miller, Mickey Jacob, Wallace Bowers, Josh Burgin, Karen Jaroch, Kathleen Shanahan, Councilman Eddie Vance

 

In addition, Chairman Councilman Suarez created an Ad-Hoc HART Board bylaws committee that would meet to review HART Rule of Procedures and Committee structure and schedule.  

Also on the agenda, HART Board approved a motion updating the HART Environmental Policy to ensure full compliance with International Organization for Standardization (IOS) and to reaffirm the agency's commitment to pollution prevention.        

       

Possible alignment using Tampa St. and Florida Ave.

During the meeting, Steve Schukraft, AICP, of HDR Inc., offered a presentation of results from the analysis of an extension of the Streetcar system via various corridors including the Marion Transitway to the Marion Transit Center, as well as scenarios for fleet upgrades. The study explores the potential benefits of creating a modern streetcar extension through the heart of downtown Tampa to the Marion Transit Center. After the presentation several HART Board of Directors discussed HART taking a greater leadership role in the streetcar expansion.        

 

In other matters, the HART Board approved the final Chief Executive Officer's employment agreement. 

Next Regular Board of Directors Meetings 

The HART Regular Board of Directors will take place Monday, February 2, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. at the HART Ybor Office, 1201. E. 7th Ave., in Tampa.

 

Closed captioning from the monthly HART Board of Directors meetings will be posted within 5 - 8 business days on the Hillsborough Television (HTV) website.

Click here to view video recordings from recent HART Board/Committee meetings.