HART Employees are "Flamingo Flocking" for Charity!

Flamingo Insurance protects against being "Flocked"

Flamingo - it's not just an app! It's also a fundraising effort by HART staff to support the Arthritis Foundation. 

From now, until December 16th, HART employees can pay a fee to send a "flock of flamingos" to a co-workers' area.

Employees who do not want this pink, plastic gift can purchase a flamingo insurance policy that protects their work space throughout the fundraiser. All money collected in this effort will be sent to the Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run 2016, to enable the Arthritis Foundation to help people suffering from arthritis conquer everyday battles through information, resources, access to care, scientific advancements and community connections. 

As a corporate sponsor, HART currently has a team of 51 employees and family members ready to take on the Jingle Bell Run 5K on Saturday, December 17th.


HART employees are having fun and raising funds for the Jingle Bell Run to benefit the Arthritis Foundation.

James Fetzer was recently "Flamingo Flocked"!

HART CEO Honored as "Woman of the Year"

We know we have the best, and now the community does too!

The Tampa Chapter of Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) has selected HART CEO Katharine Eagan as its "Woman of the Year" award recipient.

WTS is an international organization dedicated to building the future of transportation through the global advancement of women. The Woman of the Year award recognizes leadership in transportation and contributions toward the advancement of women and minorities in transportation. The award was presented as part of WTS-Tampa's Annual Holiday Event on Wednesday, November 16, in Ybor City.

Ms. Eagan, a wife to a wonderful husband and mother of two amazing boys, began her nearly 19-year transit career as a transportation planner. She was appointed to HART CEO in May 2014.

Under her leadership, HART has:

• Established HART HyperLINK, a first-in-the-nation transit-operated rideshare service. 
• Launched the first phase of "Flamingo Fares," a regional fare program, allowing patrons to purchase regional three-day fares on their smartphones.
• Greatly expanded public-private partnerships with entities such as MegaBus, RedCoach, Coast Bike Share, Yellow Cab, and TransDev, and is continuing to pursue partnerships that provide travel options beyond traditional buses.
• Kicked off a paratransit-cab service pilot program that provides HARTPlus patrons same day service for the first time.
• Been awarded ISO-14001 certification in environmental management, the first transit agency in Florida to receive this certification.
• Launched  a farmers' market at its busiest transit center, outside of downtown Tampa.

These milestones and innovations have strengthened the agency's service and helped build bridges to community partners throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Additionally, while the transit industry's average percentage of women employees is about 20%, under Ms. Eagan's management and support, 31% of the entire HART workforce and 43% of its senior management are comprised of women.

Onward and upward! Join Mrs. Eagan and HART on our journey to take public transportation Beyond the Bus!

HART Salutes Veterans, Reservists and Active Military!

HART currently employs 114 men and women Veterans and Reservists

With Veterans Day approaching, HART thanks those who have served in the U.S. military in the past, or continue to serve as part of the National Guard.

 

HART is recognizing the service of employees who are military veterans during several appreciation events within the agency throughout the week.

HART employs 114 veterans, reservists and active military from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard, representing nearly 10% of the workforce, and in honor of their contributions these employees were presented with a thank you card and a pin to commemorate their service. The pin can be worn on the HART uniform as a visible reminder of the sacrifices the veterans and their family members have endured in the service of their country, reminding transit users and the community at large of the depth of their commitment and dedication.

All 114 Veterans & Reservists at HART are featured on the wall clings.

HART has been recognized by community organizations as a military-friendly employer for its efforts to actively recruit veterans. The current workforce consists of veterans who serve across a number of departments and specialties including vehicle operations, vehicle maintenance, revenue planning, safety/security, customer service, and information technology, just to name a few. To further honor our military employees, HART has displayed the names of all veterans within the agency in creative military silhouettes throughout the authority.

During the November HART Board Meeting, board members issued a proclamation to recognize and honor the men and women at HART that have served in the United States Armed Forces. All 114 employees will receive a copy of the proclamation.

In addition, The agency will once again be offering free rides to U.S. military veterans on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, 2016. 

Veterans Day HART Service

HART extends this invitation to ride to all members of the armed services, both active and retired, as well as to their family members or dependents. Riders are asked to show a valid military or veterans ID card when boarding any HART bus to qualify for a free ride. This promotion is not valid for use of HARTPlus service or the TECO Line Streetcar System.

On Veterans Day, HART service will operate on a regular Friday service schedule. There will be no service on Veterans Day for Routes 24X and 25LX. Also, the TECO Line Streetcar System will operate on a Friday schedule from 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.

The Tampa Bay area has the largest veteran population in Florida, according to a projection made by the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics. As of September 2015, a combined 178,899 veterans live in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties.

HART HyperLINK Launches November 14th!

Public Transit: Direct to Your Door

HART is proud to unveil a new first-in-the-nation service that connects riders to our expansive transit system: HyperLINK. The innovative transit solution will extend the footprint of our network direct to your doorstep, delivering rides to and from local bus stops for passengers in select areas (University and Carrollwood areas, with Brandon launching later). HART HyperLINK launches on Monday, November 14th.

HyperLINK helps you eliminate the hassle of unpredictable commutes, providing shorter mobility trips to bus stops that get you where you want to go. This state-funded pilot program means passengers only pay a low fare for each trip.

Access is the Key

Access to public transportation is always a priority at HART. This new first/last mile solution is fully ADA accessible and is designed as a shared-ride service, which reduces transit’s impact on the environment. Based on research, residents who have more accessibility to public transit will take advantage of it.

We have your first and last mile covered with HART HyperLINK!

The door-to-bus smartphone app (also available through call center) makes booking and catching a ride on HyperLINK as easy as possible. Each $3 ride is payable by cash or credit, so you can pay how you want to pay. Near the end of your journey, book a ride home and a driver will meet you at the bus stop.

HART hopes this new feature will make trips more convenient and accessible to residents in select locations. Try HyperLINK on November 14th and share your experience with friends and neighbors.

Expanded Possibilities

• Tired of paying for parking at work or tired of finding reliable parking near a bus stop? HyperLINK eliminates the unknowns. We want to encourage the use of public transit and eliminate artery-clogging congestion. Find out if HyperLINK can help you.
• We always encourage walkability—it’s a staple of a livable city—but also understand a three-mile walk to start or end the day can feel overwhelming. HyperLINK is a low-cost option to get you and your neighbors to a local bus stop and back home at the end of your day.
• Unpredictable weather is a daily reality. See a sudden thunderstorm threatening that walk to the bus stop? HyperLINK is the answer. Dark clouds moving in while your bus approaches your stop? HyperLINK will get you home.

 Features:

• Shared rides to local bus stops
• Low cost: only $3 each way
• Available for IOS and Android
• Wheelchair accessible
• Pay with cash or credit
• No smartphone? No problem! Book a ride by calling 813-298-0455 

Route of the Week: The In-Towner

With a diverse service area roughly the size of Rhode Island, Hillsborough County provides a great mix of urban, suburban and rural destinations for our riders. Think about the destinations that you can see and experience with the HART transportation network!

This week, we (re)feature The In-Towner as our Route of the Week!

The In-Towner is FREE!

The In-Towner is a shuttle service looping through Tampa's Downtown! The In-Towner provides rush hour service Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

The In-Towner is FREE and operates on a loop every 15 minutes. The service is great for connecting residents, workers, and tourists to/from downtown businesses, hotels, parking garages, and more! Riders can even connect to the HART network with a stop at Marion Transit Center.

HART recently changed the In-Towner route to better serve outlying Downtown Tampa parking garages and destinations.

Here are just some of the destinations the In-Towner serves!

USF CAMLS is just one of the businesses served by the In-Towner!

Businesses:

• Bank of America Plaza
• 100 North Tampa
• Rivergate Tower 
• Wells Fargo Center
• One Tampa City Center
• SunTrust Financial Centre
• Tampa City Hall
• Hillsborough County District Courthouse
• Amalie Arena
• USF CAMLS
• Tampa Convention Center  

Hotels:

• Hilton Tampa Downtown Hotel
• Aloft Tampa
• Sheraton Riverwalk
• Embassy Suites
• Marriott Waterside
• The Barrymore Hotel
• Floridan Palace Hotel
• Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott

Parking Garages: In-Towner connects remote parking to the business core!

• William F. Poe Garage
• Fort Brooke Garage
• Tampa Convention Center Garage
• City Hall Lot
• Twiggs Garage
• Whiting Garage

Entertainment:

• Tampa Museum of Art
• Straz Center for the Performing Arts
• Glazer Children's Museum
• Curtis Hixon Park
• Channelside Bay Plaza
• Tampa Theatre
• The Florida Aquarium
• Tampa Bay History Center
• Amalie Arena
• Florida Museum of Photographic Art

Sometimes it's work. And sometimes it's just for fun. Whatever brings you to downtown Tampa, the In-Towner gets you around while you're here!

From business to leisure, HART Takes You There.