A Second HART Operator Tests Positive for COVID-19

HART has received confirmation that one of our teammates, a bus operator, has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). This is the second confirmation case of a HART employee testing positive for the coronavirus. The Authority has a workforce of more than 823, and will continue to track positive test results among its employees.

The bus operator last worked Wednesday, April 22, 2020. The 7 days prior to that time, the operator drove the following routes:

• Route 35 (Town N Country) / Route 60 (Cross County) - April 13
• Route 6 (56th St) - April 14
• Route 19 (South Tampa) / Route 33 (Fletcher Ave.) - April 15
• Route 1 (Florida Ave) - April 18
• Route 16 (Waters Ave) / Route 39 (Busch Blvd.) - April 19
• Route 1 (Florida Ave)- April 22

Customers who need to travel throughout the community and ride HART for essential purposes should review the listing above. As the CDC recommends, all individuals should monitor themselves for possible symptoms, and contact their health care provider as soon as you develop any symptoms, and self-isolate to avoid possibly exposing others, including refraining from using public transportation.

All individuals are entitled to medical and health privacies and HART maintains the security of employees’ confidentiality. We respectfully ask media to honor all HART employees’ privacy.

How to properly use a mask

For the safety of everyone on board, riders are highly encouraged to wear a cloth face covering over their mouth and nose when in public and on transit, as recommended by the CDC. Face masks can be made from household items, including handkerchiefs, bandanas, or scarves. This is to protect people around you if you are infected but do not have symptoms, and is not a substitute for social distancing. 

HART is committed to the safety of all our employees and riders. In accordance with CDC guidelines as well as local and state health departments, HART has taken the following steps to help reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• HART continues to disinfect the fleet, transit centers, amenities and work areas - daily.
• HART is communicating with all employees and customers to practice CDC recommended good hygiene and social distancing.
• HART is providing gloves, hand sanitizer, and face masks to frontline employees on a daily basis based on availability. Because supplies are limited, HART is allowing Operators to use cloth coverings in lieu of face masks. Safety shields on fixed route vehicles provide a barrier to reduce contact.
• HART is running a temporary reduction of hours for transit service for essential trips. HART is following a modified-Sunday schedule. HART is asking customers to limit travel to essential trips only; consistent with the State and County ‘Safer-at-Home’ orders.
• Buses have been added on certain high-ridership routes daily to prevent overcrowding while staggered seating is recommended. Additional plug buses hold at certain key locations for immediate action to supplement other routes, so that riders are not left stranded.
• Audio announcements and on-board seat signage have been installed to encourage staggered seating among riders. The first row of seats nearest to the front door is closed off to maintain additional distance between riders and the operator (but is still available for customer with disabilities that have mobility devices). HART has seen reduced ridership which provides the benefit of creating more space.
  
• HART is offering alternative work schedules if the job function allows the employee to do the following: flexible/staggered work schedules, reduced work schedules and remote working.
• HART operators are continually notified to contact the HART Operations Control Center (OCC) immediately to report if their transit vehicle is too crowded or other potential COVID-19 safety concerns. Responses may involve dispatching appropriate personnel, contacting emergency services, sending a swap vehicle, or sending a plug bus along the route.

While we remain committed to serving those who serve us, HART asks customers and employees to exercise personal responsibility and follow the CDC recommended guidelines.

Thank you for your cooperation.  

HART Announces Additional Reduction of Transit Service Temporarily

UPDATE: 6.08.2020 - TECO Line Streetcar service is being extended until 11 PM, seven days a week, beginning Friday, June 12, 2020. Streetcar service currently ends at 9 PM due to conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

HART is announcing an additional reduction in bus service levels beginning Wednesday, April 22, 2020. The additional bus service alterations follow a reduction in HART bus, van, and streetcar levels enacted on April 1, 2020 and is an effort to maintain service reliability during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Modified Sunday Service flyer in English / Spanish

HART Operating Service for Essential Trips:

HART is currently operating all modes of transit on a Sunday service schedule with regular fares. Beginning April 22, 2020, HART will be further adjusting the following routes in order to provide additional buses on higher-ridership routes to maintain safe rider capacity, while staggered seating/social distancing is in place.

Express Bus Services that WILL NOT OPERATE:

• Routes 20X, 24LX, 25LX
• Routes 60LX
• Route 75LX (not operating as of April 1, 2020)

Express Bus Services that WILL OPERATE:

• Route 360LX
• Route 275LX: Service operating ONLY between the Wiregrass Park-and-Ride and the University Area Transit Center

HART Customer Service Centers will remain open. It is recommended riders travel for essential purposes only. HART is NOT an emergency transportation provider.

Any adjustments will be made as needed based on changing conditions.

HARTPlus Operating Regular Service for Essential Trips:

All HARTPlus subscriptions are continuing to be placed on hold until further notice. HARTPlus Customers must book their trips on demand.

It is recommended that HARTPlus customers cancel any rides that are not necessary, and prioritize reservations for essential or emergency purposes only. Trips can be canceled by calling Customer Service (813) 254-4278 at least two hours in advance. Please call your destination to confirm they are open before boarding, as many community facilities and events have been canceled or closed.

Streetcar Reduced Hours:

The TECO Line Streetcar System service will continue to operate the regular Weekday and Weekend schedule, however, service will continue to temporarily end at 9:00 PM nightly.

HART Bus Operator Tests Positive for COVID-19

HART has received confirmation that one of our teammates, a bus operator, has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). This is the first confirmation case of a HART employee testing positive for the coronavirus. The Authority has a workforce of more than 823, and will continue to track positive test results among its employees.

The bus operator last worked Wednesday, April 8, 2020. The 14 days prior to that time, the operator drove the following routes:

• Route 1 (Florida Ave.) - April 7
• Route 6 (56th St.) - April 8
• Route 30 (Kennedy Blvd.) - April 1
• Route 31 (South County) - April 2
• Route 48 (Temple Terrace) - April 6

Customers who need to travel throughout the community and ride HART for essential purposes should review the listing above. As the CDC recommends, all individuals should monitor themselves for possible symptoms, and contact their health care provider as soon as you develop any symptoms, and self-isolate to avoid possibly exposing others, including refraining from using public transportation.

All individuals are entitled to medical and health privacies and HART maintains the security of employees’ confidentiality. We respectfully ask media to honor all HART employees’ privacy.

How to properly use a mask

For the safety of everyone on board, riders are highly encouraged to wear a cloth face covering over their mouth and nose when in public and on transit, as recommended by the CDC. Face masks can be made from household items, including handkerchiefs, bandanas, or scarves. This is to protect people around you if you are infected but do not have symptoms, and is not a substitute for social distancing. 

HART is committed to the safety of all our employees and riders. In accordance with CDC guidelines as well as local and state health departments, HART has taken the following steps to help reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• HART continues to disinfect the fleet, transit centers, amenities and work areas - daily.
• HART is communicating with all employees and customers to practice CDC recommended good hygiene and social distancing.
• HART is providing gloves, hand sanitizer, and face masks to frontline employees on a daily basis based on availability. Because supplies are limited, HART is allowing Operators to use cloth coverings in lieu of face masks. Safety shields on fixed route vehicles provide a barrier to reduce contact.
• HART is running a temporary reduction of hours for transit service for essential trips. HART is following a modified-Sunday schedule. HART is asking customers to limit travel to essential trips only; consistent with the State and County ‘Safer-at-Home’ orders.
• Buses have been added on certain high-ridership routes daily to prevent overcrowding while staggered seating is recommended. Additional plug buses hold at certain key locations for immediate action to supplement other routes, so that riders are not left stranded.
• Audio announcements and on-board seat signage have been installed to encourage staggered seating among riders. The first row of seats nearest to the front door is closed off to maintain additional distance between riders and the operator (but is still available for customer with disabilities that have mobility devices). HART has seen reduced ridership which provides the benefit of creating more space.
  
• HART is offering alternative work schedules if the job function allows the employee to do the following: flexible/staggered work schedules, reduced work schedules and remote working.
• HART operators are continually notified to contact the HART Operations Control Center (OCC) immediately to report if their transit vehicle is too crowded or other potential COVID-19 safety concerns. Responses may involve dispatching appropriate personnel, contacting emergency services, sending a swap vehicle, or sending a plug bus along the route.

While we remain committed to serving those who serve us, HART asks customers and employees to exercise personal responsibility and follow the CDC recommended guidelines.

Thank you for your cooperation.