HART and State Legislators Partner on Proposed Changes to Protect Transit Employees

Safety barriers like this would be required on all transit vehicles throughout the State of Florida

HART is leading a statewide initiative to implement new legislation addressing the growing trend of violence transit employees and other uniformed public servants face in Florida. HART is proud to partner with State Senator Keith Perry (R-Gainesville) and State Representative Michael Beltran (R-Tampa) who just filed the "Uniformed Public Servant Protection Act" for the 2020 session. SB 1416 and HB 951 both seek to curb violent threats against uniformed public servants in the workplace.

Sen. Perry and Rep. Beltran are spearheading the legislation which would require all Florida transit agencies and the State itself to make specific changes to enhance public safety and further protect uniformed public servants.

"As Chair of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, I felt compelled to address the recent acts of violence and threats of violence against uniformed public servants," said Sen. Perry. "By increasing the penalty for assault against transit workers and other public servants, as well comprehensive training and protective barriers on public transport, we are demonstrating our commitment to public safety throughout our state."

HART is leading the way by implementing three of these changes and advocating for a fourth to protect transit employees. The leadership of Rep. Beltran and Sen. Perry to make all of these changes uniform across our state takes this public safety movement to a new level. The legislation proposes four changes:

• require the installation of protective barriers on public transit;
• require the posting of the maximum penalty for assaulting a transit worker;
• require mandatory training for drivers to defuse and de-escalate potentially violent situations; 
• increase the current enhancement for assault against a uniformed public servant (transit workers, law enforcement and other first responders) from a 1st-degree misdemeanor to a 3rd-degree felony.

"Over the past seven months, one HART bus driver in Tampa has been murdered and another violently attacked, while operating public transit buses," said Rep. Beltran who is also a key member of the Hillsborough County delegation. "I filed this legislation in an effort to help keep people safe through tougher penalties for threats of violence, protective barriers for drivers, and increased training to help defuse potential threats."

The proposed legislation mirrors the Amalgamated Transit Union's (ATU) push for similar changes on the national level with HR 1139.

HART Security Standards Earn National Recognition!

HART partners with law enforcement for regular security/safety drills

HART is one of 17 rail and mass transit agencies from throughout the country to receive the Transportation Security Administration's "Gold Standard," the highest rating an agency can earn for its Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement (BASE). Transit agencies volunteer for this comprehensive review, which analyzes systems, identifies vulnerabilities, and assesses progress in areas such as security plans, security training, drills/exercise programs, public outreach efforts and background check programs. 

Transit systems were reviewed in 2011, and TSA announced those who received the "Gold Standard" earlier this month.  

"For HART, it means our plans and procedures are up to par with best practices, and we will continue fine-tuning our collaboration with law enforcement and emergency responders," said Michael Stephens, who oversees HART safety/security as Director of Human Resources, Risk, and Legal Services. "HART is a valuable resource for law enforcement investigations and during an emergency, and we are ready to respond when needed."

HART has enhanced security operations and emergency management by building strong partnerships with local law enforcement and emergency response agencies. HART has also boosted training among drivers, transportation supervisors, as well as maintenance employees, to increase their awareness about suspicious activities.

Projects such as enhanced lighting have helped increase safety on HART

In addition, since 2002, HART has used federal funding to build an extensive surveillance system and security cameras are now on all buses and streetcars, as well as several HART facilities. These cameras have not only enforced rider regulations and served as a crime deterrent for enhanced safety of HART customers, recordings from these cameras have provided local law enforcement with valuable evidence to help solve outside criminal investigations.  

"I commend these organizations for their commitment and hard work that this level of achievement requires," said TSA Administrator John S. Pistole. "TSA recognizes the continued dedication individual transit agencies demonstrate every day to ensure the safety of travelers nationwide."

The BASE program was developed to increase enhance prevention and protection capabilities, and further response preparedness of transit systems nationwide. BASE is aimed at meeting the requirements in the 9/11 Commission Act's security assessment section, which directs TSA to identify critical assets, infrastructure and systems and their vulnerabilities, and assist bus and public transportation authorities to address their security programs

Moving You to Safety...

Did you know that HART is an official Hurricane Evacuation Partner for Hillsborough County?  Learn how HART is here for Hillsborough County residents should a hurricane threaten.


















For more information on HART Emergency Evacuation Service, click here.

Have HART, Share the Road!

As Florida Bike Month comes to an end, we wanted to give awareness for the often overlooked neighbors on the road - pedestrians and cyclists.

2010 was a rough year for pedestrians in the Tampa Bay area.  2011 hasn't started much better.

In 2010, 492 pedestrians were killed statewide with 78 deaths in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough locally, making Florida no. 1 per capita in the United States for pedestrian deaths.  In 2008, 17.4% of fatal bike accidents reported nationwide, occurred in the state of Florida. Recently, the Top 10 list of most dangerous metro areas for pedestrians included four Florida metro areas.

Interior cards like this one were placed on all HART buses

Operating over 190 buses in Hillsborough County and logging almost 9 million miles a year on Hillsborough County roads, HART has a big interest in pedestrian/cyclist safety.  Last year, Alan Snel, a local cycling advocate, approached HART about educating HART Operators and the general public about Florida state law known as "3 Feet to Pass," which requires motor vehicle operators to give cyclists 3-feet when passing.  Last year in April, HART launched the educational campaign on all HART buses, goHART.org, and social media outlets.  Interior cards like the one shown above were placed inside all HART buses, and buses were also wrapped with similar graphics. 

Walkwise Tampa Bay is another pedestrian/cyclist safety initiative looking to educate the citizens of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas' Counties.  The educational campaign has partnered with beach towns in Pinellas County and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to promote Pedestrian safety by introducing a new Pedestrian Flag program.

The program uses retro-reflective flags and vests on each end of a crosswalk to gain the attention of oncoming drivers.  Pedestrians carry the flag across the crosswalk.

According to FDOT, a pedestrian is injured every seven hours in Florida, with one killed every five days.  By law, bicycles are considered vehicles and cyclists are given the same rights as car drivers.  So the next time you pass a cyclist or another car on the road, please treat them equally, and give 3 feet!

Click here to view a video on the 8 weeks of training that HART Bus Operators go through before they are allowed to transport passengers.

For more information on Walkwise Tampa Bay, please visit www.walkwisetampabay.com.