Friday, May 29, 2020

HART AT WORK: Marion Transit Center Construction


HART customers will soon notice construction taking place on the roads surrounding our main hub, Marion Transit Center, in downtown Tampa.

The need to fix the roads surrounding Marion Transit Center has existed almost since the transportation hub was opened in 2003.

The project will take place in phases with road construction expected to start the first week of November, pending processing of right-of-way permits.
During the construction, HART customers may notice select bus platforms closed with buses changing boarding platforms. Stay tuned to the HART Alerts & Detours page and HART social channels for updates on construction and the most current boarding platform layout.

UPDATE 5.29.20: Construction at Marion Transit Center is now complete. Boarding platforms are returning to their pre-construction configuration. We thank you for your patience as we improve the HART system. 



New MTC platform layout

A Fourth HART Employee has Tested Positive for the Coronavirus


HART has received confirmation that one of our teammates, a paratransit van operator, has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). This is the fourth confirmation case of a HART employee testing positive for the coronavirus. The Authority has a workforce of more than 800, and will continue to track positive test results among its employees.

The van operator last worked Sunday, May 24, 2020. In an abundance of caution and in consultation with the Hillsborough County Department of Heath customers who came in contact with the Operator will be contacted. 

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.

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. 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.
  • 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.

Friday, May 22, 2020

A Third HART Employee has Tested Positive for COVID-19



HART has received confirmation that one of our teammates has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). This is the third confirmed 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 employee is NOT a bus operator.  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.

Customers who need to travel throughout the community should continue taking HART for essential purposes only. 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.

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. 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.
  • 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.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

HART Joins Transit Peers Across the Country to "Sound the Horn" for Transit Workers!



HART is once again joining transit systems across the county in conjunction with the American Public Transit Association (APTA) to “Sound the Horn” on May 21, 2020 at 3 p.m. in recognition of the heroic actions of public transportation employees who continue performing critically essential work during COVID-19.

At 3 p.m. on Thursday, all HART buses, streetcars, and vans in service will simultaneously sound two one-second horn blasts in solidarity with trains, buses and boats from around the country.

Public transit remains a vital lifeline for thousands of riders, including essential workers in health care, public safety, food production and distribution, utilities and government operations.

The community is invited to show their support for public transportation workers on social media using the #HeroesMovingHeroes and #SoundTheHorn.

Monday, May 11, 2020

HART's Response to Slow the Spread of COVID-19

HART has implemented an enhanced disinfection regime to help slow the spread of COVID-19
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 with aerostatic foggers - daily.
  • HART provided onsite COVID-19 testing for all employees. 
  • 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. Safety shields on fixed-route vehicles provide a barrier to reduce contact.
  • Customers are REQUIRED to wear face coverings onboard HART vehicles. HART is providing FREE face coverings to customers at the Marion Transit Center, University Area Transit Center and via Transit Supervisors.
  • HART is running a temporary reduction of hours for transit service. HART is operating at 95% of normal service level.
  • Audio announcements and on-board seat signage have been installed to encourage staggered seating among riders. The bus destination signs on the outside of all HART buses display “Masks Required” 
  • 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.