HART is Transitioning to Flamingo Fares! Paper Fare Cards are Gone January 5

HART is announcing the official full transition to Flamingo Fares, a faster, more convenient, and more secure way for riders to pay fares across the HART network. Starting January 5, 2025, HART will no longer accept Paper Fare Cards, making way for modern, contactless fare options that simplify the transit experience. New Fare Payment Options Starting January 5, 2025: Flamingo Fares: Tap-and-go payments with a Flamingo smart card or mobile app Contactless debit/credit/pre-paid cards E-wallet options: Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay Cash: Exact change will still be accepted for a one-way fare onboard Benefits of Flamingo Fares Convenience: No more paper cards to carry! Simply tap your Flamingo card, mobile phone, or contactless payment card to board. Savings: With daily and monthly fare capping, riders are guaranteed the best value. Easy Refill: Load money onto your Flamingo card or app anytime, either online or at HART Transit Centers. Getting Started with Flamingo Fares: Download the Flamingo Fares App from the App Store or Google Play. Purchase a Flamingo Smart Card at any HART Transit Center or online at FlamingoFares.com. Transfer Any Remaining Balance from your Paper Fare Card to Flamingo Fares before January 5, 2025. “Flamingo Fares brings greater ease, affordability, and flexibility to our riders,” said Sean McCarthy, Chief Operations Officer, HART. “With Flamingo, we’re reducing the need for paper and the cost associated with collecting a paper fare, improving payment security, and enhancing the overall rider experience.” Why wait until January? Join the Flock! Make the switch today and experience a seamless ride with Flamingo Fares. For more information on HART, visit www.goHART.org or contact HART Customer Service at (813) 254-4278.

Honoring Service and Dedication: A Veteran’s Journey from Military to HART

Nicholas with his grandmother

In honor of Veterans Day, HART proudly recognizes the incredible journey of one of our employees, Nicholas Goulbourne, Director of Maintenance, who served six years in the military, including three years of active duty. 

Originally from Jamaica, he was drawn to military service after 9/11, inspired by a deep sense of duty. As a major in Architectural drafting at St. Petersburg College, he felt compelled to serve after watching the events unfold on 9/11 while practicing his landscaping freehand drawing at his drafting table. His patriotic spirit compelled him to serve, enlisting in the Army, initially without telling his family. He dreamed of joining the infantry and ultimately aspired to special forces. However, his non-US citizen status prevented him from a top-secret security clearance at the time, dashing those dreams. Nicholas joined the US Army Reserve in late 2001, shipping off to basic training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina in 2002.

Excelling in his aptitude tests, he qualified as an 88-Lima Watercraft Engineer, a demanding military occupation position. Watercraft Engineers are responsible for maintaining, diagnosing, and repairing US Army vessels’ propulsion engines, auxiliary systems, and various mechanical components. The mechanical training was rigorous, particularly managing the intricate mechanics of amphibious landings—skills with an 80% failure rate that demanded discipline and dedication. In December 2002, during a Christmas party at Fort Langley, he received deployment orders, and by January 2003, he was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, serving on the US Army vessel Runnymede. His dedication spanned from 2002 to 2008.

Nicholas as a Mechanic

When his military chapter closed, he sought civilian work that would build on his mechanical skills. The transition to union life and civilian mechanics had challenges, yet his military discipline and resilience carried him forward.

After joining HART, he began as an apprentice since his previous experience was in watercraft engineering, and he needed additional training to work on vehicles with wheels and suspension. His hard work and skill quickly paid off, and he advanced to Mechanic B in less than eight months. He continued to excel, eventually becoming a lead mechanic and then a supervisor in 2015. After five years in that role, he took on increasingly challenging positions, becoming Manager of Technical Services in 2021 and Director of Fleet Maintenance in May 2023. “Discipline, loyalty, integrity, and selfless service,” he says, “are values you never let go of. In the military, you’re used to getting the job done without delay. Civilian work requires a different pace, and adjusting was a big change.”

Reflecting on his time at HART, he feels that transit work is in his DNA. "There’s always something new to learn," he explains. "When you understand the day-to-day operations, you get a deeper respect for the work." The camaraderie he experienced in the military is something he values deeply. "In the military, your battle buddy becomes more valuable to you than yourself. That sense of unity and focus is unmatched."

For him, being a veteran encapsulates all the values he carried from the Army. While he sometimes regrets not finishing his full-time in the military, he’s grateful for the skills and mindset it gave him, which shaped his journey at HART. "The Army gave me a skill set and a foundation that has guided my whole life. 9/11 changed everything for me—I was on track to be an architect, but I chose service. And I wouldn’t change that."

Nicholas Goulbourne, Director of Maintenance

Fee or Free? HART Invites Public Feedback on TECO Line Streetcar Fare Reinstatement

With the funding grant for fare-free service coming to an end, HART - as operator of the TECO Line Streetcar - may need to reinstate fares by January 5, 2025. This discussion comes after the expiration of several Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) grants and partnerships, like the City of Tampa, Tampa Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs), and the Tampa Downtown Partnership, that previously covered customer fares.

The five-year FDOT streetcar service agreement of $2.3 million annually expired in 2023. FDOT had agreed to provide an additional 12 months of funding through 2024, totaling $700,000, with a matching contribution from the City of Tampa. This funding is critical to maintaining and improving the streetcar service, a vital component of our public transportation network.

Take our quick survey to submit your feedback.

¿Tarifa o Gratis? Complete nuestra encuesta para enviar sus comentarios sobre un posible cambio de tarifa del tranvía

HART will hold a Public Hearing on the Streetcar Fare Changes: 

• Date: Thursday, November 7, 2024 
• Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 
• Location: HART Ybor Administrative Offices (1201 E. 7th Avenue, 3rd Floor, Tampa, FL 33605) 
• Virtual Option: The public can listen to and view the meeting live via HART’s official YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/harttransit 
• All public comments and survey responses will be afforded equal consideration regardless of the format they are provided.

HART staff will also be at various TECO Line Streetcar Stations to answer questions from Thursday, October 31 to Thursday, November 7. 

Take the survey and view the upcoming outreach schedule at www.tecolinestreetcar.org/fares.

Ride HART Fare-Free on Election Day with Voter Information Card!

Ride HART fare-free on Election Day with your Voter Information Card!

HART is announcing free rides to Hillsborough County polling locations on Election Day. Voters can ride fare-free on all HART services by showing their valid Voter Information Card on November 5, 2024.

Customers are encouraged to prepare for their trip by identifying their polling location, and the specific routes necessary for travel before starting their trip. Customers can use the HART trip planner to map out their route in advance. 

Please check your voting status by visiting the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections website. 

Exercise your right to vote with a free ride on HART. Your voice is important!

HART Service is Temporarily Fare Free to Support Milton Recovery - EXTENDED Through Oct. 28!

UPDATE (10.21.2024) - Fare-free service has been EXTENDED through Monday, October 28, 2024.

HART is pleased to announce that effective immediately, HART Bus, HARTPlus, and HARTFlex will operate fare-free until October 21st, 2024.

This initiative aims to provide transportation services to our community during the ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Milton.

The decision to implement fare-free service is driven by three critical factors:

1. Emergency Transportation: Residents traveling to Emergency Comfort Stations established by the County will also benefit from free transit, enabling access to vital services during this challenging time.
2. Aid for Displaced Residents: Fare-free transit will help displaced residents, ensuring they have the means to move around safely.
3. Support for Students: All school students will have access to fare-free bus trips, ensuring they can attend school without the burden of transportation costs.

With ongoing detours and route adjustments due to hurricane damage, our bus operators are facing increased challenges. Implementing a fare-free policy will simplify operations and allow our drivers to focus on safely transporting all customers, whether they are traveling for education or in need of emergency assistance.

Offering free transit during this extended Hillsborough County State of Emergency is a crucial step in supporting our community. By eliminating transportation costs, HART’s goal is to relieve financial pressure on families and ensure that students can continue their education while providing residents with access to emergency services without additional burden.

HART is committed to serving our community and encourages all residents to take advantage of this fare-free service during these critical recovery efforts.

For more information about routes and schedules, please visit www.goHART.org or contact HART Customer Service at (813) 254-4278.

HART Tropical Storm Debby Update

LATEST HART WEATHER UPDATE (as of 8.5.24; 8:35 a.m.)

8.5.24 @ 8:37 a.m.: HART is running regular service. Due to the inclement weather, please leave to essential trips only. Expect detours and look at OneBusAway Tampa or call Customer Service (813-254-4278) for updated detour information. 

8.4.24 @ 7:51 p.m.: We expect to roll out normal weekday service on Monday. Please visit Bus-Map-Schedules (gohart.org) to see the latest service schedule, following service changes on Sunday, August 4, 2024. The HART team will evaluate roadway conditions before normal service begins. Some routes may be delayed due to localized flooding. If you need to ride HART on Monday, please provide yourself with additional travel time.

8.4.24 @ 1:13 p.m.: HART is currently operating fare-free service to the Emergency Storm Shelter at Erwin Technical College, 2010 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa.

8.2.24: HART is still monitoring the tropics for any impacts to service. The Tampa Bay area is now under a Tropical Storm Warning, which means the area will see impacts from a possible Tropical Storm within the next 48 hours. HART will cease service if sustained winds reach 35 mph. 

Click here to learn more about HART service during a storm.

Now is the time to prepare for the storm. Hillsborough County has a great hurricane storm prep resource. 

Riders should continue to monitor HART's In-Transit Blog, Facebook , and Twitter or contact the HART InfoLine at 813-254-4278 for the latest service information.

Customers can visit www.goHART.org for maps, schedules, and more.

HART to Implement Service Changes on Sunday, August 4, 2024

 

HART is implementing service changes to several HART routes on Sunday, August 4, 2024, to improve efficiency and the customer experience.

• Service with Schedule Changes / Cambios en el horario: 
• Routes 1, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 15, 24LX, 25LX, 30, 34, 37, 38, 45, 46, 275LX, and 360LX

• Earlier service / Servicio temprano: Routes 37 and 38

HART customers can visit goHART.org to view the service changes or contact Customer Service at (813) 254-4278 for more information.

Swim with HART: Free City of Tampa Pool Access with HART Pass!

HART and the City of Tampa’s Parks and Recreation Department have launched Swim with HART – a program that lets HART riders gain free admission into City of Tampa pools.

The pilot program will run through the end of the summer pool season, Saturday, August 10. Showing your bus pass at City pools will get you in for free during open swim and lap swim hours at Parks and Recreation’s 11 open pools.

“This partnership between Parks and Recreation and HART will enable more residents to enjoy our City of Tampa pools,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said. “It’s great that we can count on HART to help Tampa’s residents become more active and have more fun.”

Although you do not need to take a bus to the pool, HART created a custom map showing the best routes to get to four pools and three splash pads.

"We are excited to partner with the City of Tampa’s Parks and Recreation Department to provide free pool access to HART riders this summer,” HART Manager of Marketing Frank Wyszynski said. “This initiative lets riders beat the heat and also encourages residents to utilize public transportation for fun and recreational activities.”

You can find the map, and the hours for open swim and lap swim, at tampa.gov/swim-with-HART.

Impact of Friday Evening Storm on HART Facility

Following a severe weather event that recently went through our area Friday evening, HART faced significant challenges in ensuring the continuity of transit services for several hours. The HART Transit Operations Facility lost all power, which included vital infrastructure such as the generator, radio tower communications and data-center information systems.

Emergency work on HART's main generator

The effects of these high-impact, pop-up weather events underscore the urgent need for support to harden our transit operations infrastructure. To address these challenges effectively, HART is actively pursuing a US Department of Transportation (US DOT) RAISE Grant, requesting $23.4 million. This grant is crucial for HART to begin addressing our facility needs and improve the resilience of infrastructure for current and future weather and climate risks.

"We are at a critical juncture in maintaining the operational readiness of our transit services when strong-impact storms affect our Operations & Heavy Maintenance Facility," said Kemly Jimenez Green, HART Director of Communications. The support from a US DOT RAISE Grant will play a pivotal role addressing infrastructure and bolstering our resilience against future disruptions."

HART’s RAISE grant application (The Project) seeks funding specifically for the first phase of the site remediation and modernization, which will be followed by the demolition and rebuilding of the 45-year-old heavy maintenance facility. The Project will improve the safety of the traveling public through improved routine maintenance of the buses as well as safer facilities for HART staff. The Project will address environmental sustainability through the provision of nature-based solutions for stormwater remediation and improving resilience of infrastructure for current and future weather and climate risks.

HART has remained committed to providing reliable transit services to our community despite these challenges. Thanks to highly skilled Controllers, Transit Supervisors, Bus Operators, and Paratransit Drivers – HART continued to deliver service out on the roads –avoiding any systemic customer disruptions Friday evening.

HART values the ongoing support and collaboration of our community partners and stakeholders, especially Tampa Electric for restoring power to HART as quickly as possible. This allowed HART to service and maintain vehicles overnight and resume transit operations this morning for all our customers.

Flooding in the inventory room

HART April 14 Service Changes are Postponed to May 12, 2024

UPDATE: The HART Service Changes previously scheduled for April 14, 2024, are postponed to May 12, 2024, due to unforeseen technology issues.

HART staff have encountered issues with our Computer-Aided Dispatch / Automatic Vehicle Location (CAD/AVL) system that have led to the need to delay the implementation of adjustments to our service routes and schedules. The CAD/AVL software has reached the end of its useful life and HART is currently in the procurement process for a new system.

The issue primarily impacts our Google Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) data, which involves real-time travel information.

To ensure a smooth transition and to provide you with the high-quality service you expect from HART, we have rescheduled the service changes to take effect on May 12, 2024.

Please be assured that we are working diligently to resolve the technology issues and minimize any further delays.

Customers can contact Customer Service at 813-254-4278 with any questions.

HART Youth Pass Returns April 1, 2024

Starting April 1, HART riders ages 18 and under are required to pay the Youth Fare to ride. The Youth Fare is 50% off the regular fare ($2 for a day pass and $32.50 for an entire month) on all HART services. 

Youth ages five and under remain free on HART with a parent.

Eligible riders must register for the HART Youth Pass by visiting the Customer Service windows at: 

Marion Transit Center

1211 N. Marion Street | M-F 6AM - 6PM | Sat 8AM - 5PM

University Area Transit Center

13110 N. 27th Street | M-F 6AM - 5PM | Sat 8AM - 5PM

The Youth Fare is exclusively available on Flamingo Fares, HART’s mobile app and smart card payment system.

HART and Commissioner Gwen Myers to Host Women's Health and Wellness Fair

HART in partnership with Hillsborough County Commissioner and HART Board Member Gwen Myers is hosting a Women's Health & Wellness Fair as part of the transit agency’s celebration of National Women's Month.

The Health & Wellness Fair is being held on Saturday, March 9 from 9 AM - 12 PM, at the Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 1207 N. Jefferson Street, Downtown Tampa.

The event will feature a variety of community women's health and wellness resources.

“HART is happy to partner with Commissioner Myers on this very important Health and Wellness Fair providing women with the tools to be champions for their own health,” said Carla Williams, HART Director of Community & Business Engagement. "Ensuring the well-being of women is not only about promoting equality but is a fundamental investment in the overall health and prosperity of our communities. 

HART Finance Department Receives High Honor for Financial Reporting!

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 Loretta Kirk. "This accolade serves as a testament to our ongoing efforts to foster trust and be good financial stewards, and it fuels our determination to maintain the highest standards of transparency in all that we do."

The award recognizes HART's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022.

An impartial panel reviewed 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.

Set Sail to Gasparilla 2024 with the TECO Line Streetcar and HART!

Take the Streetcar to the pirate festivities!

Arrgh you ready?! Have your sights set on Gasparilla? Travel safely to the festivities... set sail with HART and the TECO Line Streetcar!

HART will operate additional streetcar and bus services to accommodate the large numbers of anticipated riders on Saturday, January 27th for Gasparilla! Please note: Routes are subject to change due to road closures.

HART is by far the most convenient and affordable way to travel to the Gasparilla parade. An all-day HART bus pass is $4.00 and the TECO Line Streetcar is FREE!

Below are important details to make the trip to the Gasparilla parade easier:

Catch the Streetcar at Centro Ybor!

TECO Line Streetcar System

• Streetcar service is FREE.
• Continuous streetcar service from 8:30 a.m.- 2:00 a.m.
• For parking in Ybor City, Station #2 (Centro Ybor) is your best bet to the event with Stations #3 and #4 CLOSED until 3 p.m. A FREE bus shuttle will be provided (details below).
• Streetcar stations #5 through #9 will also be closed until 3 p.m.
• Stations #1 and #11 will be closed all day.

HART Bus Service

• For parking in Ybor City, HART will provide FREE bus shuttle service between Station #3 (Streetcar Society Station) and Station #4 (Cadrecha Station) and downtown Tampa (Station #10 - Dick Greco Plaza) continuously from 9:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• For parking at the Port Authority Parking Garage, HART will be providing FREE bus shuttle service to/from Station #10 (Dick Greco Plaza) continuously from 9:30 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.
• Traveling from outside Ybor City and Downtown? An all-day bus pass is $4, which may be purchased in advance at HART retail outlets or onboard buses on Gasparilla Day with contactless debit, credit card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, cash (no change provided) or via the Flamingo Fares app. Passengers may also use their monthly bus pass. This fare does not cover City of Tampa parking fees.

Click here to view a map of HART bus and streetcar service for Gasparilla.

Getting to Downtown Tampa on HART

• From University Area: Routes 1*, 5, 6, 9, 12, 275LX, MetroRapid
• From Temple Terrace: Route 6
• From New Tampa/Wiregrass: Route 275LX
• From Brandon: Routes 8*, 360LX*
• From West Tampa/Citrus Park: Route 7*
• From South Tampa: Routes 19*, 360LX*
• From Tampa International: Routes 30*
  
  
  View HART bus maps and schedules
  HART Trip Planner

Ride with Respect!

Ride with Respect

Make sure to party like a responsible pirate and Ride with Respect! No coolers or alcohol are allowed on HART buses and the TECO Line Streetcar System.

Have a fun and safe Gasparilla!

Councilman Luis Viera Re-elected HART Chair by Board of Directors

Councilman Luis Viera

At its January 8 meeting, the Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) Board re-elected Councilman Luis Viera as Chair, Commissioner Michael Owen as Vice-Chair and Director Melanie Williams as Secretary of the HART Board of Directors for 2024.

Councilman Viera remains the HART Chair at a pivotal time for the organization. Chair Viera will serve a 1-year term.

Councilman Viera has been a Board member since February 2020 and has served on the Tampa City Council since 2016.

Councilman Viera is very active in the community. He is the former Chairman of the Hillsborough County Bar Association Diversity Committee and a former Chairman of the City of Tampa Civil Service Board. He is a founder and former President of Lawyers Autism Awareness Foundation and previously served on the Board of Tampa Bay Best Buddies, an organization that assists and advocates for persons with special needs and developmental disabilities. He was also the Incoming President of the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association and is a member of the George Edgecomb Bar Association. 

 

The HART Board is responsible for setting policy and making decisions for the Authority on matters ranging from system operations, service planning, fare structure, finance, and customer service. It is made up of 14 volunteers who are appointed to represent Hillsborough County (seven seats), City of Tampa (four seats), State of Florida (two seats) and City of Temple Terrace (one seat). Officers of the HART Board (chair, vice-chair and secretary) are elected annually.

For more information about HART service, visit www.goHART.org.