COVID-19 UPDATE: A HART Operator Tests Positive - 1.26.21

HART has received confirmation that a bus operator has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The last routes operated include: 

• January 21, 2021 – Route 32 (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.)
• January 22, 2021 – Route 32 (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.)

This brings the total number of cases of HART employees testing positive for the coronavirus to 86 – including 33 bus operators, 7 van operators, 2 streetcar motorpersons, and 45 other employees.

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

For the safety of everyone on board, following the City of Tampa Executive Order 2020-27 (effective Friday, June 19, 2020 at 5:00 PM) and Hillsborough County Executive Order (effective Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 5:00 PM), riders are required to wear a cloth face covering over their mouth and nose when in public and on transit, as recommended by the CDC. HART is providing face coverings to customers at transit centers, while supplies last. Face coverings can also 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 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. Safety shields on fixed-route vehicles provide a barrier to reduce contact.
• The bus destination signs on the outside of all HART buses display “Masks Required” 
• Audio announcements and on-board seat signage have been installed to encourage staggered seating among riders and that masks are required.
• 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 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.
• 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.

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.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Two HART Operators Tests Positive - 1.20.21

 

HART has received confirmation that two bus operators have tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The last routes operated include: 

• January 14, 2021 – Route 12 (22nd Street)
• January 15, 2021 – Route 19 (South Tampa) 
• January 15, 2021 – Route 400 (Nebraska/ Fletcher Avenues)

This brings the total number of cases of HART employees testing positive for the coronavirus to 84 – including 32 bus operators, 7 van operators, 2 streetcar motorpersons, and 43 other employees.

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

For the safety of everyone on board, following the City of Tampa Executive Order 2020-27 (effective Friday, June 19, 2020 at 5:00 PM) and Hillsborough County Executive Order (effective Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 5:00 PM), riders are required to wear a cloth face covering over their mouth and nose when in public and on transit, as recommended by the CDC. HART is providing face coverings to customers at transit centers, while supplies last. Face coverings can also 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 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. Safety shields on fixed-route vehicles provide a barrier to reduce contact.
• HART is running a modified COVID-19 service level with no Express or HARTFlex routes
• The bus destination signs on the outside of all HART buses display “Masks Required” 
• Audio announcements and on-board seat signage have been installed to encourage staggered seating among riders and that masks are required.
• 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 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.
• 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.

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 Recognized for Financial Reporting Excellence

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to HART.

The GFOA Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

"We are honored by the recognition because it showcases HART's commitment to transparency," said Interim Chief Financial Officer Cyndy Stiglich. "Our goal is to be a good financial steward of taxpayer money and the award highlights these efforts."

The award recognizes HART's comprehensive, annual financial report for the fiscal year ending September 30th, 2019.

An impartial panel judged the report concluding it meets the high standards of the program, which include demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.

The GFOA advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research for more than 21,000 members and the communities they serve.

HART SMART AV Expands to All-Day Service!

HART SMART AV operating along the Marion Transitway

HART SMART AV, Tampa Bay's first, fully electric automated vehicle pilot, is expanding service hours. The autonomous shuttle, operated by the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) and BEEP, an Orlando-based autonomous shuttle service provider, is now operating 6 AM - 7 PM; an additional five hours daily from the initial schedule of 6 AM -  10 AM; 3 PM - 7 PM.

The service expansion is possible due to the recent addition of a second shuttle operating along the route, which allows one of the vehicles to charge while the other is operating.

"The expansion of service hours positions HART SMART AV as a great lunchtime transportation option for downtown workers and residents, who don't want to move their car or search for parking," said Adelee Le Grand, HART Chief Executive Officer. "We are excited to be able to provide all-day service along the corridor".

Funded by the Florida Department of Transportation, and in partnership with BEEP, HART launched the one-year HART SMART AV autonomous vehicle pilot on October 12, 2020. The free shuttle offers first mile, last-mile connection between the TECO Line Streetcar and the Marion Transit Center, along North Marion Street in downtown Tampa.

The driverless shuttle is 100% electric and costs less than $30 per month to charge. HART SMART AV operates without a steering wheel and uses a pre-programmed, fixed route with a combination of localization techniques, involving state-of-the-art sensor technology. The shuttle uses eight sensors on the outside of the vehicle providing a 360-degree view of the environment. An on-board shuttle attendant serves as an ambassador for the riders to learn more about the technology and oversee the high-quality passenger experience. 

The route includes four stops at Marion Transit Center's Bay F, Kennedy Boulevard, Washington Street and Whiting Street, with the option for a future stop at Tampa City Hall. The autonomous shuttle will operate at a maximum speed of 15 mph as part of the one-year pilot.

For more information on HART SMART AV, visit goHART.org/AVpilot.

HART Service Changes Go Into Effect on January 24!

Summary of service changes effective Jan. 24, 2021

New HART service changes are going into effect on Sunday, January 24, 2021. 

HART makes regular service adjustments three times a year in response to public feedback and also to improve safety and efficiency. Routes are primarily selected for adjustment based upon demonstrated ridership and input via the customer service database.

The following HART service changes go into effect on Sunday, January 24, 2021:

• Service with Route Changes:
  
• Routes 5, 7, 8, 9, 14, 16, 30, 33, 38, 42, 45, 48, 275LX, 360LX
  
  

• Service with Reduced Frequencies:
  
• Routes 6, 24LX, 33, 34, 46
  
  
• New Service:
  
• Routes 10 (Cypress St.), 44 (Sinclair Hills Connector) 
  
  
• Removed Service:
  
• Routes 20X, 35 (merged with 30), 60LX, 75LX, HARTFlex Brandon/Northdale/South Tampa/Town 'N Country
  
  

• Service with Stop Changes: 
  
• Routes 14 and 34 stops will be reduced to improve on-time performance, travel time, and safety
  
  
• Service with Minor Schedule Changes:
  
• Routes 1, 17, 19, 25LX, 31, 36, 37, 400 (MetroRapid)
  
  
• Service with NO CHANGES:
  
• Routes 12, 15, 32, 39, HARTFlex South County, TECO Line Streetcar

JANUARY 24 SERVICE CHANGES RESOURCE CENTER:

English

• Patron notice 
• Summary packet - detailed description of individual route changes
• Route maps
• Schedules
• System map - Effective Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021

Spanish

• Aviso al cliente
  
• Resumen de Modificaciones al Servicio

Still have questions? Contact HART customer service at (813) 254-4278 for more information.