HART Awarded $4.3 Million FTA Grant For New Buses

HART has been awarded a $4.3 million Bus and Bus Facilities Program Grant by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to replace diesel buses with new Compressed Natural Gas buses!

"HART is very excited to be the recipient of this grant," said Cyndy Stiglich, Interim HART Chief Financial Officer. "It will allow us to replace diesel-fueled buses with Compressed Natural Gas buses to improve our services to major employment centers in the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County."

Demand for FTA's Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program far exceeded available funds, as FTA received applications for 318 eligible projects totaling approximately $1.9 billion in funding requests, from a total of 270 applicants in 43 states and territories. Only 94 projects received grant funding. Project proposals were evaluated based on criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

"Public bus systems throughout the country provide millions of Americans access to jobs, healthcare, grocery stores, and other vital services," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

HART would like to thank the Hillsborough County congressional delegation for their support with special thanks to Rep. Kathy Castor, Sen. Marco Rubio, Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Ross Spano.

HART service carries roughly 35,000 daily trips with a service area of 1,266 square miles and a bus fleet of 180 buses.

HART's FY2020 Program of Projects Certified by Independent Oversight Committee

The Independent Oversight Committee (IOC) that oversees the spending of the All for Transportation sales tax unanimously voted on November 21 to certify that HART's FY2020 Program of Projects list complies with the existing charter.

In our inaugural year, HART staff has developed a comprehensive program of projects that accounts for two full years of funding. The projects include a number of service and capital expenditures primarily aimed at preparing the agency for expansion and improved customer services. 

Included in the strategy moving forward is a goal of resetting the baseline of the system through an operational assessment and establishing a 30-year vision via a new major Transit Development Plan update. 

HART FY2020 Program of Projects Highlights:

HART FY2020 Highlights

• Restoring service:
• Routes: 4 (South Tampa), 41 (Sligh Ave.), 44 (University area), 46 (Palmetto Beach)

• Improve Weekend Frequency:
• Routes: 9 (30th St.), 15 (Columbus), 31 (So. County), 32 (MLK), 42/45 - University

• Improve Weekday Frequency:
• Routes: 12 (22nd St.), 30 (Kennedy), 32 (MLK Blvd.), 42/45 (University)

• Expanding Transit Options (Fixed-guideway):
• Corridor assessments, future streetcar extensions, CSX corridor evaluation, InVision Tampa Streetcar: Project partner, project development, Marion Transitway Corridor Assessment
• Customer Amenities, HART Facilities, etc.:

• Bus shelter and transit center upgrades, replacement and renovation of HART maintenance facilities, rolling stock purchases (electric and Compressed Natural Gas buses)

All for Transportation Background:

In November 2018, the residents of Hillsborough County voted for a 1% surtax to fund Transportation projects. Of the 1% surtax, 45% of the new surtax funded was designated for transit specific projects and that funding was designated to go directly to HART. 

In addition, as part of the referendum, an Independent Oversight Committee (IOC) was required to be created and an annual program of projects from each recipient of the 1% surtax funding must be submitted by September 30th each year for the IOC to review.

HART Offers Free Rides to Cross-Bay Ferry Riders!

HART is providing free bus, van, and streetcar rides to passengers of the newly relaunched Cross-Bay Ferry! Riders simply need to show their ferry ticket to the operator and enjoy the ride.

In Hillsborough County, passengers can board any HART fixed-route bus or van service (HARTPLUS excluded), or the TECO Line Streetcar System for free. Ferry riders can pick up the TECO Line Streetcar at Dick Greco Plaza Station, just across the street from the Ferry Terminal.

Catch free streetcar service to Ybor across from Ferry Terminal

Streetcar service operates every 15 minutes, with weekday service (Monday through Thursday) from 7 AM - 11 PM, with extended hours on Friday until 2 AM. In addition, Saturday service operates every 15 minutes, from 8:30 AM – 2 AM and Sunday 8:30 AM – 11 PM.

Ferry riders can also connect to HART’s robust transit network to enjoy the sights and sounds of Busch Gardens, the shopping of International Plaza, and more. The HART Route(s) 8 and 19 are just a short walk from the Cross-Bay Ferry dock.

HART's central transit hub, Marion Transit Center, is located in downtown and provides a connection to roughly 15 HART routes. Riders can use the HART Trip Planner to map out their trip!

To enjoy the free ride, passengers are required to present a same-day Ferry ticket to the bus, trolley or streetcar operator upon boarding. The Cross-Bay Ferry runs from November 1, 2019, through April 22, 2020. The Ferry will operate seven days a week, except for holidays. Please check the schedule on the Cross-Bay Ferry’s website for the latest information.

All Aboard the Winter Village Express!

Winter Village Express operates Sundays through Dec. 22!

The holiday season is so close, we can almost feel Jack Frost nipping at our nose - 65° at night. Brr! ❄

The Tampa Downtown Partnership is once again holding their Winter Village, featuring an ice rink, a cafe with warm beverages, and a holiday marketplace with local boutiques! The winter wonderland is located in Curtis Hixon Park and will take place from November 22 - January 5.

Along with the Winter Village, comes the transformation of the TECO Line Streetcar System into the Winter Village Express! Launching November 24, the Winter Village Express offers a festive experience aboard a holiday-themed Streetcar. Enjoy treats, music, and fun, while on board!

The Winter Village Express will operate every Sunday through December 22. You can pick up the Winter Village Express at either Whiting Station in Downtown Tampa (Station #11) or Centro Ybor Station (#2) in historic Ybor City.

The Winter Village is open 11/22-1/5

Winter Village Express Operating Schedule:

Whiting Station in Downtown Tampa:

• 3:25 p.m.
• 4:25 p.m.
• 5:25 p.m.
• 6:25 p.m.
• 7:25 p.m.

The cost of the Winter Village Express is $10.00 for a roundtrip ticket. Tickets are ONLY available online. All trips are first-come, first-serve, due to limited availability. Arrive early!

For more information on Winter Village, or the Winter Village Express, visit http://www.wintervillagetampa.com/.

Happy Holidays!