An Open Letter from HART ICEO to HART Employees

On this Labor Day, HART celebrates the contribution of all employees whose work epitomizes our Vision: to invite, inspire, and implement sustainable and innovative transportation.

As transit agencies work to adapt to the changes brought on by COVID-19, the public transportation industry continues to maintain operations, deliver essential services, and protect and serve the public, while at the same time innovating to safeguard employees and riders. 

\

During the COVID-19 pandemic, HART, along with other public transit agencies across the country, has once again proven to be an essential service.  It continues to provide a vital lifeline to the community.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, when the community was closing, all HART employees continued to operate behind the scenes and on the road to deliver our services.  From operations to administration, your commitment to excellence has continued to keep Hillsborough County on the move. 

Thank you for your dedication to HART and the community we serve. HEROES work here.

HART COVID UPDATE: Bus Operator Tests Positive for COVID

 

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

The bus operator's last days and routes worked are the following:

• Route(s) 19, 33, and 36 from 5:30 AM - 3:42 PM on both August 27 and August 28

This brings the total number of cases of HART employees testing positive for the coronavirus to 51 – including 23 bus operators, 5 van operators, 2 streetcar motorperson, and 21 other employees.

All individuals are entitled to medical and health privacies and HART maintains the security of employees’ confidentiality. We respectfully ask 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 is testing ALL employees for COVID-19.
• 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 temporary reduction of hours for transit service for essential trips. HART is following a modified-Sunday schedule with weekday service on highest ridership routes to alleviate overcrowding. HART is asking customers to limit travel to essential trips only.
• The bus destination signs on the outside of all HART buses display “Masks Required” and “Essential Trips Only.”
• 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 Seeks Input on Proposed 2021 Service Modifications

HART is proposing service modifications, including route removal, throughout the network in early 2021 and is gathering feedback on the plan. HART is proposing the modifications to align demand, improve safety and efficiency, and preserve funding.

HART is holding feedback sessions virtually and in-person at transit and transfer centers with COVID safety measures in place over the next two weeks. 

Virtual Town Halls featuring a walkthrough of the plan and a Q & A session are being held in both English and Spanish. The next Virtual Town Halls are:

• English - Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at 10 AM and 2 PM
• Spanish - Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 10 AM and 2 PM

Participants are asked to register in advance of the Town Halls.

Summary of Proposed 2021 Service Modifications:

• Minor Route Adjustments - Routes 5, 7, 8, 42, 45, 48
• Substantive Modifications - Routes 10, 14, 38, 48 
• Reduce Frequency - Routes 1, 6, 24LX, 33, 34, 46, 400
• Remove Service - Routes 20X, 35*, 60LX**, 75LX, 275LX***, HARTFlex Brandon, South County, Northdale**, South Tampa, Town 'N Country

*fully replaced by existing route; **partially merged into existing routes; ***partially replaced by new routes.

A public hearing on the Proposed 2021 Service Modifications will take place in October.

"HART staff has taken the first step in creating a plan that we believe aligns our service with demand and continues providing essential service to Hillsborough County," said Interim HART CEO Carolyn House Stewart. "We are now rolling out an extensive outreach campaign to take this plan to the public as it is HART's duty to listen and be responsive to customer needs."

Visit HARTServiceInput.com to view the proposal and outreach opportunities, take a short survey, and submit feedback.