The Major Projects & Legislative Committee met Monday and received a summary of HART capital projects under development, design and construction. View HART at Work, which provides details for each project that impacts current and future public transit facilities, including the Yukon Park-n-Ride, MetroRapid North-South and East-West, Transit Signal Priority, new park-n-ride facilities in Brandon and in Northeast Hillsborough County, and the Basic Transit Infrastructure Program. It also includes a map that demonstrates the geographical range these projects have across Hillsborough County. You could say public transit improvements are coming to a zip code near you!
No need to mention the improvements underway at the 21st Avenue Facility -- most employees are working through this major renovation project. Thank you for your patience! Construction is scheduled through Fall 2012.
The Major Projects & Legislative Committee also held a discussion about the importance of securing federal or state funding to incrementally implement the use of CNG at HART.
"Compressed Natural Gas is one of the most effective fuel technologies for public transit," said HART Chief Executive Officer Philip Hale, adding that especially in Florida's hot weather, CNG-fueled vehicles operate more efficiently than diesel-hybrid vehicles. The battery power of a diesel-hybrid bus is not enough to run the ongoing air conditioning system needed for a bus that operates under Florida's extended warm and humid weather conditions.
Natural gas is colorless, shapeless, and odorless in its pure form. It is abundant in the United States, and when burned it gives off a great deal of energy and few emissions. Unlike other fossil fuels, natural gas is clean burning and emits lower levels of potentially harmful byproducts into the air. Most natural gas vehicles operate using compressed natural gas (CNG).
HART is working with the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization to undertake project development work identifying the specific requirements to support CNG vehicles at the HART maintenance facility. Project development is required to effectively compete for federal and state monies that would fund such a project.
High Five Friday is very special today as we honor members of the HART family that have served their country.
HART has more than 100 employees who are veterans or family members of veterans, each with a special story of bravery and sacrifice. But this year's Veterans Day story goes to Angel Ortiz, who is receiving a warm welcome home from his HART family.
"It feels great to be back," Ortiz said during a recent interview with him. "The welcome they gave me here ... I feel like I never left."
Mr. Ortiz is a HART Mechanic A, as well as a Navy Reservist. He returned to HART in October after a three-year deployment to El Salvador.
"Two years, eleven months and two weeks," he said. He recalls the time frames of each deployment with precision.
He's been with HART for six years, but deployed to Bahrain just a few months after he started. After a year, came back to HART for about six months, and deployed once again to El Salvador for what was supposed to be a one-year assignment.
He also had a four-year deployment to Spain prior to coming to HART. He has been in the Navy Reserves since 1994.
His most recent experience with the military has been in the areas of arms and security, and prior to that he worked in regulating drug trafficking.
Welcome Home, Angel Ortiz!
"I always wanted to be in the armed forces. I wanted to serve my country," Ortiz said. He lives in West Tampa with his wife of seven years. He said he looks forward to taking time to spend time with his family, especially his kids.
In addition, he enjoys softball and said he is looking forward to joining the HART softball team!
As a Mechanic A he works on all of the HART vehicles - cars, vans and buses - performing general maintenance.
"As soon as I got back, Mr. Hauck got me registered for classes, and the first week I was here I was taking classes," he said. Mr. Ortiz now is just four classes away from becoming a Master Mechanic.
And just one day away from Veterans Day, a day to honor the unselfish service by people like Mr. Ortiz, as well as the millions of American veterans and their families. Happy Veterans Day, and high fives all around!
Monday's meeting kicked off with recognition of HART employees: Harold Ward and James Chapman, each who received first runner up for the Florida Public Transportation Association's Mechanic and Driver of the Year, respectively.
Left-right: HART Mechanic Harold Ward, HART CEO Philip Hale
Mr. Ward is a master mechanic who has been with HART since 1981. He always shows a positive, can-do attitude and his calm demeanor is an integral part of the success of HART Fleet Maintenance. One of this agency's goals has been to reduce bus failures and increase the mean distance between failures. During the past two years, Harold has lead a team of mechanics to reduce monthly unit failures by 6 percent and increase the monthly mean distance by 1700 miles. Harold is an outstanding technician who leads by example and promotes teamwork.
HART Operator James Chapman and his wife
Mr. Chapman has been a bus operator with HART since 1984. He is an exemplary employee and leader among his peers. He has been named bus operator of the month five times throughout his career, and this year was inducted into the 2 million mile club for driving without a preventable accident for the past 27 years. He has been training operators since 1986 for on-the-job training and route familiarization. These are just a few of the initiatives he's taken on and accomplished at HART!
Yukon Transfer Center build out model
The HART Board also approved starting construction for an upgrade at Yukon Transfer Center, which serves about 800 customers each weekday and bus routes 1, 9, 14, 16 and 39. The upgrades will provide additional bays to accommodate increased demand and improve visibility. The total amount of the project is $600,000, paid for by state grants and HART funds. Construction is scheduled to begin before the year's end.
The HART Legislative Policy Statement for the 2012 Florida Legislative Session was adopted by the HART Board and includes monitoring legislation that relates to the consolidation of HART and PSTA, as well as working towards maintaining current funding levels for transit.
Lastly, Katharine Eagan, HART Chief Operating Officer, presented the HART Board with a summary of bus ridership in 2011, highlighting significant gains in holiday and Sunday service. View 2011 HART Ridership At-A-Glance
Next Meeting: HART Major Projects & Legislative Committee meeting is scheduled Monday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m. at the HART Ybor Office.
Fall is in the air, with plenty of reasons to be outside to enjoy it. Here is just a few events to really take advantage of the beautiful weather.
MacDill Airforce Base Airfest 2011 Saturday, Nov. 5 and Sunday, Nov. 6. 9:00 a.m.
If you love intense aerial maneuvers, along with getting in the cockpit of dozens of new and classic aircrafts (safely on the ground), this event is for you! The U.S. Air Force hosts the free event, but expect other branches of the armed services to get in on the flight action. More than 50,000 are expected to attend the event. If you're planning on busing it, use routes 19 and 36 to Britton Plaza. HART will detour route 36 from Britton Plaza to the base with continuous bus service.
Conga Caliente
Saturday, Nov. 5 - 11:00 a.m.
Florida's 2nd largest Hispanic family festival is this Saturday! The annual celebration of Hispanic culture and arts features
performances by national acts, ethnic food, a health village, cigars,
domino games, kids activities, an art village, educational displays and a
beer garden for those 21+. The event is free.
Al Lopez Park 4810 N Himes Ave., Tampa FL 33614
HART serves Al Lopez park via Routes 7, 32, 36, and 45.
If you're a regular reader of the blog, or our social media outlets, you're probably already familiar with the Bicycle Bash. The Bicycle Bash gives the Tampa Bay's bicycle community a chance to come together and promote bicycling as a healthy lifestyle, effective transportation and asset to the region.
The 5th Annual Bicycle Bash will feature:
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn leading a bike ride called the Buckhorn Bash Ride around the Flatwoods 7-mile loop at 11:15 AM.
The SWFBUDDY Awards given to local Tampa Bay residents and officials who have worked to make the area a more bicycle-friendly community.
A Swap Meet where people can buy used bike gear; food provided by the famed Taco Bus Food Truck; and music.
Guest announcers Skip Mahaffey and Brendan McLaughlin of Channel 28 Action News
Free bike gear giveaway drawings; an artist doing creating live bicycle painting;
SWFBUD lawyers will be on hand to offer free legal advice regarding bicycle issues.
Tampa BayCycle will provide a free BikeSmart bike education class and Tampa Bay's bicycle clubs will be on hand to talk about bike rides throughout the region.
HART and the Hillsborough MPO will also discuss transportation plans and initiatives.
HART will have a booth at the event, giving out HART bike flashers as well as putting on a demonstration of new ways HART plans to boost bicycle travel via transit!
We also have events for those that want to escape the ... "brisk" low temperatures, in favor of a more moderated environment.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Friday, Nov. 4 - 7:30 p.m.
Even though they're playing on ice... don't expect the blustery conditions normally associated with an ice rink. Instead expect REAL lightning bolts, plus seats, a brand new party deck and the world's most powerful synthetic pipe organ! The Bolts are riding a win streak heading into the game against a team just a couple years removed from hoisting the Stanley Cup.
St. Pete Times Forum 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa FL 33602
The TECO Line Streetcar drops off at the St. Pete Times Forum - HSBC Station. Don't
worry about getting stranded, the streetcar has your back until 2 a.m.
on Fridays and Saturdays.
2nd Annual Ybor Jazz Festival
Nov. 1 - Nov. 6
Looking for an extended weekend? Hosted by Hillsborough Community College (HCC), this five-day inaugural event features local, national and genre favorites in daytime and evening concerts.
Attend every day or pick and choose days. Featuring the Helios Jazz Orchestra, with Anthony Castellano Jr., Liz Hollister, Denise Moore, Sasha Tuck and Belinda Womack.
The event is $15 for a day pass and $5 for students and seniors. It's free if your HCC faculty or a student with ID.
November 4 - 6 p.m. Bryan Shuler and Dagari
November 5 - 6 p.m. Thick as Thieves
November 5 - 8 p.m. New Groove City
November 6 - 3 p.m. New Orleans Jazz, Funk, Gospel
Hillsborough Community College Ybor Campus Performing Arts Building 1505 E Palm Ave., Tampa FL 33675
The HCC Ybor Campus is only a block or two away from the Cadrecha Station of the TECO Line Streetcar System and is also accessible via HART routes 5, 12, and 18.
Kevin Nealon
Friday, Nov. 4 - Nov. 5
He wants to "Pump... you up! Known for his dry wit, this comedian is mostly remembered for his time on Saturday Night Live. He has appeared in a number of Adam Sandler's films and has recently found success on cable TV.
Here is an example of one of his more iconic characters on SNL.
Shows at the Improv are 21 and up, except the Friday 10:30 p.m. show, which is 18 and up.
Bikes on buses just got a whole new meaning! Customers may now bring their folded bicycles on HART buses and vans.
HART will host a demonstration of new ways to boost bicycle travel via transit during the popular 2011 Bicyle Bash on Sunday, Nov. 6, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Hillsborough County Flatwoods Park, 14302 Morris Bridge Road in Thonotosassa. Those who sign up for HART News receive a FREE bicycle flasher!
Folded bikes on buses must:
Have 20-inch wheels or smaller; larger bicycles should be loaded on the bike rack.
Be folded and bagged before boarding the bus.
Be folded underneath the seat or in front of the customer so it does not take up extra seats or block the aisle.
Bike with larger wheels should continue using the bike rack.
Users of bicycles with larger wheels should continue using the bicycle rack. Each HART bus and van accommodates two bicycles. Only single-seat, two-wheel bicycles are permitted on buses; no tandems or three wheelers. Motor-powered vehicles are not permitted on the bus or on bicycle racks. If the rack is full, patrons should be prepared to choose a location to lock up their bicycle, or wait for the next bus serving that route.
Word to the wise! Bicyclists should attach an identification number to their bicycles -- whether it's the manufacturer's serial number, a license plate or a sturdy decal -- and keep a copy of this number with them. This will greatly facilitate the process of claiming lost bicycles. In addition, the Tampa Police Department encourages bicyclists to register their bicycles with its Bicycle Registration Theft Protection Program to assist in recovering stolen bikes.
Thinking about expanding your bicycle travel by getting on board with HART? Visit www.goHART.org or call 813-254-4278 (HART) for help with planning your trip!
Congratulations to HART Transit Planner James Fogarty for being selected as part of the 2011 Class of Tampa Bay Business Journal's Up & Comers - 30 Under 30!
TBBJ received more than 600 nominations for this annual recognition and a panel of judges narrowed it down to a class of 48 deserving individuals, who demonstrated exceptional business accomplishments, community involvement and mentoring activities.
Mr. Fogarty has been instrumental in providing engineering analysis and support for several major planning efforts at HART -- including the Alternatives Analysis Study for light rail, planned regional park-and-ride facilities and a major update to this year's HART Transit Development Plan. He also continues to provide updates to community partners regarding on the HART capital investment program.
He is currently coordinating upgrades for the HART Yukon Transfer Center, serves on the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and is a judge for the local Future City Competition, which provides middle school students a creative opportunity to imagine, design and build cities of the future.
Mr. Fogarty started with HART in 2009, just a few years after receiving his bachelor's degree in engineering. He is now a certified engineering intern and in April, plans to take the final examination required to become a professional engineer.
Mr. Fogarty will formally be recognized during the 2011 Up & Comers Awards Ceremony scheduled Nov. 10. High five!
With a number of ghoulish events going on in Tampa this weekend, it's a good time to be a friend of the undead. Even if you're not in the mood for madness, we've got a number of big events for you. We'll start off with...
Scaredy-cats
Friday:
*Credit WEBN-TV
Josh Groban
St. Pete Times Forum
If you sleep with the lights on... then this is probably a safe bet. Part-time talk show host (filling in for Regis Philbin) and young pop-opera star, Josh Groban is looking to bring the lights down low and sing into the audience's soul. Hop off at the HSBC station, if you plan on taking the TECO Line Streetcar. The show starts at 8:00 p.m.
Alex Reymundo
Tampa Improv
Looking for some laughs instead of some shrieks? Check out one of the original Latin Kings of Comedy, along with
George Lopez. Arrive to the Improv in style with the TECO Line Streetcar, get off at the Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union Station for the Improv and Centro Ybor.
Shows are 21 and up only. Except Friday at 10:30 p.m. which is 18 and up.
Saturday:
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Winnipeg Jets
*Credit: Pointinshoot's Flickr
Check out the NHL's newest franchise as the Winnipeg Jets fly into Tampa on Saturday to take on your hometown Bolts. The Lightning are looking to match their longest win streak over another opponent, when they host the Jets, which use to be the Atlanta Thrashers. The HSBC station is your stop if you plan on taking the streetcar to the St. Pete Times Forum.
Time isn't an issue as streetcar service ends at 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. During the week, games also aren't a problem as streetcar service is extended during regular season Lightning games. More information can be found here.
Fright-seekers
All weekend:
*Credit: Ricky Brigante
Howl O' Scream
Busch Gardens
If you like to pay to get the ____________ scared out of you, Busch Gardens' Howl O' Scream is probably you're best bet (without driving to the land of Mickey and Potter). It's the last weekend for the annual event with tons of haunted houses, scare zones, roller coasters in the dark and spooky live shows. The theme this year is "The Dark Side of the Gardens: Zombies Live Here.".
Don't bring the little ones, it's obviously too intense for scaredy-cat adults who'll probably be at the Josh Groban concert or Tampa Bay Lightning game. The park stays open until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Didn't know Tampa has a dark-side? Take a candlelit walking through through Tampa to discover it's haunted and secret past. The tour has multiple stops and include ghost stories, visits to haunted houses and tales of restless spirits and supernatural oddities.
Not so scary... minus some of the scandalous costumes you'll see people wearing. Let your inner zombie go wild with this Tampa tradition. The roughly 20-year-old festival began as a big Halloween party between local Ybor residents and now has morphed into one of the area's biggest annual celebrations. We actually wrote a whole write up on Guavaween, which you can find here. Basically, festivities begin at 3 p.m. and are expected to end early the next morning. Admission is $12 in advance and can be purchased online from the Ybor Chamber's website. Tickets are $17 at the gate.
Just a taste of the madness...
Ybor City garages fill up fast for the event, so either plan to arrive early or plan to park in the Channelside/Port Authority garage or the Fort Brooke parking garage and take the TECO Line Streetcar. Please note that beginning at 2:30 p.m., southbound streetcar service will terminate at the TECO Line Streetcar Barn until 2 a.m. Oh, and it's ADULTS ONLY this year, don't bring the little guavas with you.
Enjoy your weekend! There is plenty to make it Spooktacular!
"Compressed Natural Gas is one of the most effective fuel technologies for public transit," said HART Chief Executive Officer Philip Hale, adding that especially in Florida's hot weather, CNG-fueled vehicles operate more efficiently than diesel-hybrid vehicles. The battery power of a diesel-hybrid bus is not enough to run the ongoing air conditioning system needed for a bus that operates under Florida's extended warm and humid weather conditions. 
