Transit Advocate Tyler Hudson Appointed to the HART Board of Directors

Tyler Hudson

Local transit advocate Tyler Hudson has been appointed to the HART Board of Directors by City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. Mr. Hudson will replace the previous City of Tampa Appointee Kathleen Shanahan who resigned earlier this summer.

"We welcome Tyler Hudson to the HART Board of Directors and I look forward to working with him," said HART Interim CEO Carolyn House Stewart. "With his background as Chairman of All for Transportation which voters overwhelmingly supported, I’m certain Hudson will be a strong transportation advocate and a voice for the City of Tampa’s interests. 

“We could not be more thrilled to have Tyler Hudson join the HART board. His unwavering commitment to transform Tampa’s transportation future will serve both the board and our community well,” said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. 

Tyler is a partner with the Tampa law firm Gardner Brewer Martinez-Monfort, P.A. and practices in the areas of real estate, land use and zoning, and general business counseling.

Prior to joining Gardner Brewer Martinez-Monfort Law, Tyler was an associate at Holland & Knight LLP from 2013 to 2018, where he practiced in both the corporate and real estate transactional groups of the firm’s Tampa office. 

For three years prior to starting law school, Tyler was a principal with Hilltop Public Solutions, a public affairs firm in Washington, D.C. At Hilltop, he managed integrated government relations campaigns for multinational corporations and trade associations in the aviation, pharmaceutical and reinsurance industries. Additionally, Tyler advised and on worked on several political campaigns in the areas of speechwriting, message development, debate preparation and field organizing.

“I am pleased to welcome Tyler Hudson to the HART Board of Directors. Mayor Castor and Tampa City Council have made a strong choice," said Mariella Smith, Chair of the HART Board. "Mr. Hudson is an advocate for better transit in Hillsborough County. His work with the All for Transportation effort brings a perspective on the transportation needs of our citizens throughout the county. He also brings his experience in land use and business to the Board. I know this experience and advocacy will make him a strong asset to HART."

In 2018, Mr. Hudson co-founded All for Transportation, the historic citizen-led campaign to fund county transportation improvements. The successful campaign collected over 77,000 citizen petitions, raised over $4 million, and passed with 57% of the vote.

Mr. Hudson obtained his B.A. in Philosophy from the George Washington University and his law degree from the University of Florida.

Outside the office, Mr. Hudson devotes time to a range of civic and philanthropic activities. Mr. Hudson and his wife Grace live in historic Tampa Heights with their two children and one yellow lab.

Mr. Hudson will attend the next scheduled HART Board of Directors meeting on September 14, 2020.

It's ELECTRIC ⚡: HART Awarded $2.7 Million for Electric Buses

Proterra, Inc. held an electric bus demonstration in downtown Tampa in 2018

HART has been awarded a $2.7 million Bus and Bus Facilities grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). This federal funding will allow HART to purchase up to four electric buses and supporting infrastructure to help further reduce the organization's carbon footprint.

As part of the grant award, TECO is has committed to working with HART to provide 50% of HART’s match for infrastructure to ensure the project is successful as a participant in this funding opportunity.

“HART will continue to seek opportunities to enhance our ability to improve access, mobility, and reliable, safe transportation for the patrons who depend upon our service. In these unprecedented times, it is even more important to deliver innovative transportation options, reduce the carbon footprint and make improvements to our fleet,” said ICEO Carolyn House Stewart. “Again, we offer our sincerest thanks to you, Congresswoman Kathy Castor, the entire Congressional Delegation, and TECO Energy for your leadership, support and partnership.”

HART has been working to replace its diesel engine buses as part of a mission to reduce air pollution in the greater Tampa Bay region.

Battery Electric Buses are known for zero-emission, quiet operation and better acceleration for a more comfortable ride.

Since 2016, HART has reduced its carbon footprint over 22% primarily by shifting from diesel to Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles. Hart will continue to reduce its inventory of diesel-fueled vehicles over the next few years by transitioning to electric buses as funding such as this becomes available.

“I am very grateful to Congresswoman Kathy Castor, and to HART staff, for all their hard work to secure this funding for HART. This grant couldn’t have come at a more advantageous time. Switching to a new technology will create more skilled jobs — right here in our community. Reducing our carbon footprint is very important to the future of the Tampa Bay area. And these new zero-emission electric buses will make our air cleaner — and that makes a big difference in the quality of life for so many in our community — whether they ride the bus or not. When we roll out these buses, I know our riders will be proud to say that they have one of the cleanest commutes in Hillsborough County,” said HART Board Chair Mariella Smith.

“I am pleased that the Federal Transit Administration has awarded funds to the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART),” said U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (FL). “The services provided by HART are essential to the everyday lives of many in the Hillsborough community, and this grant will greatly improve those services and lessen their impact on the local environment.”

HART is fortunate to have strong partners within its Congressional Delegation and is grateful for their unwavering support.

Watch media announcement

HART Announces Frequency Restoration on Select Routes

Effective Sunday, August 9, 2020, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) will restore frequency on select higher-ridership routes to the current COVID-19 Modified Sunday Service level the agency has been operating since April 2020.

Local Bus Service:

• Regular weekday schedule restored for Routes 1, 6, 12, 34 and 400
• Represents a restoration to 68% of service overall from pre-COVID levels.
• Route 31: Regular schedule (Monday through Friday only)
• All other Local Routes: Sunday schedule, 7 days a week

Express and Limited Express Bus Service:

• Routes 20X, 24LX, 60LX and 75LX: No service
• Routes 275LX: Regular schedule, operating ONLY between Wiregrass Park-n-Ride and University Area Transit Center
• Route 360LX: Operating normal schedule, Monday thru Saturday. Only operating between Britton Plaza and South Tampa on Sunday

HARTFlex:

• No service

TECO Line Streetcar Service:

• Monday through Friday 7 AM - 11 PM
• Saturday and Sunday 8:30 AM - 11 PM
• Service operates every 15 minutes

 

HARTPlus Paratransit Service:

• Continued operation based on local route level of operation and span of service

Through June 2020, fiscal year 2021 monthly ridership for all modes has decreased from fiscal year 2020 by around 60% due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

HART's approach to route schedules remains fluid and responsive.

HART continues to disinfect daily, require face coverings onboard and staggered seating. Public transportation is an essential service - our Operators, Customer Service Representatives, and all HART employees are the heroes moving heroes. We thank everyone in Hillsborough County for helping keep our bus, van, and streetcar operators safe by continuing to limit travel to essential trips only.

Visit www.gohart.org for the latest service information or call Customer Service at 813-254-4278.