Thursday, February 25, 2021

HART Statement on AFT Ruling

Statement from HART related to the Florida Supreme Court's ruling on the All for Transportation Sales Tax:

“HART’s mission is to take people to places that enhance their lives. Despite today’s ruling, that mission does not change. HART remains committed to providing transportation options to thousands of Hillsborough County residents daily - alleviating traffic and providing a more environmentally-friendly commute.

HART’s challenge in our mission – funding – does not change. We continue to do more with less – as one of the most underfunded transit systems per capita in the country.

One thing that is clear, Hillsborough County voters showed overwhelming support for alternative transportation solutions. We look forward to working with our community partners to continue HART’s mission and keep Hillsborough County moving.”


 

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Phase 2 of Streetcar Track Replacement to Kick off

A 500-foot section of the TECO Line Streetcar track will be closed starting March 1 - March 12, 2021, while a contractor replaces ties and tracks between the York Street Station #6 and Cumberland Avenue Station (#7). 

The project is Phase 2 contracted to R.W. Summers. Customers can still utilize the sidewalk along the eastside of Channelside Drive, between the stations, roughly a three to five-minute walk. Paratransit customers needing assistance will have access to a van shuttle during the two-week project. 

For HART Customer Service, call 813-254-4278; Monday-Friday 5AM to 9PM and weekends 6AM to 8PM. 

For more information about HART and TECO Line Streetcar service, visit www.goHART.org. 

Phase 2 map of the Streetcar Track Replacement



Thursday, February 18, 2021

HART Board Seeks Residents for MPO Citizens Advisory Committee

We NEED YOU! The HART Board of Directors is seeking interested residents to serve on the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Citizens Advisory Committee. 

The CAC is composed of appointed citizens (transportation agency staff are not eligible) who together shall represent a broad spectrum of social and economic backgrounds and who have an interest in the development of an efficient, safe and cost-effective transportation system. Minorities, the elderly and persons with disabilities must be adequately represented on the CAC. All members must be residents of Hillsborough County. 

The application process opened on February 17th and closes on March 12th, 2021Appointments to the MPO CAC will be made at the April 5, 2021, HART Board meeting.

Citizens interested in being considered for appointment must submit: 1) a completed Questionnaire for MPO CAC; and 2) a Standards of Conduct Form. All questions must be answered. The forms are available on the HART website here. Incomplete applications will be disqualified. Forms must be signed and dated.

Instructions for Submittal:
DELIVER/MAIL TO: HART, 1201 East 7th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605

SCAN AND E-MAIL TO: PetitL@gohart.org

The MPO CAC shall is responsible for providing information and overall community values and needs into the transportation planning program of the MPO; evaluating and proposing solutions from a citizen's perspective concerning alternative transportation proposals and critical issues; providing knowledge gained through the CAC into local citizen group discussions and meetings, and establishing comprehension and promoting credibility for the MPO Program.

Terms of appointment shall be for a two-year period with an opportunity for reappointment thereafter unless the official who appointed the member leaves office or the MPO board during the term of the member's appointment. In that case, the member shall be deemed to have resigned from the CAC and the new official shall have the right to appoint a new member or reappoint the same member. A member of the committee whose term has expired shall continue to serve until they are reappointed or replaced. The terms of appointment notwithstanding, CAC members shall serve at the pleasure of the MPO.

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

HART Celebrates Black History Month!

UPDATE: The submission deadline has been extended until March 7, 2021!

HART’s annual Black History Month campaign is an outreach effort targeted to local schools every February to educate students about African Americans who have changed history. 

The theme for 2021 is the representation, identity, and diversity of “The Black Family.” An educational video produced by HART will cover topics about The Black Family, including heads of the family, types of family relationships, and various family backgrounds. 

Black History Month bus
The presentation also introduces public transportation to youth at an early age with a virtual tour around and inside a specially-wrapped bus. 

Youth are invited to enter HART’s Black History Month Contest with their own video, essay, or drawing to apply what they learned from the video.

Student can use this form to submit their entry. All entries must be received by Sunday, February 28, 2021, and will be entered into a raffle to win a HART 31-day pass. Four winners will be chosen.

The option is available for teachers to have HART staff present the video live to their virtual classrooms to allow for interaction.

All submissions may pick up a special Black History Month commemorative giveaway with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Marion Transit Center (1211 N. Marion St.) or University Area Transit Center (13110 N. 27th St.) during window hours as a 'thank you' for entering our contest and encouraging civic involvement. 

Customers and the general public will see HART's Black History Month celebration shared through multi-media elements including bus stop shelter ads, on-board the bus, goHART.org and HART's social media channels.


Tuesday, February 2, 2021

HART and TECO Line Streetcar Service During Super Bowl LV Week!


HART and the TECO Line Streetcar System welcome Tampa Bay Buccaneers 😎 and Kansas City Chiefs fans for Super Bowl LV!

HART operates the TECO Line Streetcar System, a FREE 2.7-mile streetcar line serving the dining and entertainment destinations in historic Ybor City, the Channel District (including Sparkman Wharf) and Downtown Tampa.

Streetcar service hours are being extended to accommodate Super Bowl LV visitors.

TECO Line Streetcar Super Bowl LV Service Hours:
  • Monday - Wednesday: 7 am - 11 pm
  • Thursday: 7 am - 1 am
  • Friday: 7 am - 2 am
  • Saturday : 8:30 am - 2 am
  • Sunday: 8:30 am - 1 am
Streetcar customers can track their streetcar in real-time at TECOLineStreetcar.org.

HART Bus Service

HART provides public transportation for Hillsborough County (Tampa). Need to get around? Visit www.goHART.org to view maps and schedules, plan your trip, and more. Download the OneBusAway Tampa app for real-time HART travel information.

Super Bowl Experience 

Looking for transportation options for Julian B. Lane Park to enjoy Super Bowl Experience presented by Lowe's? Here are a couple of options: HART Route 7 and HART Route 10. Please note - Route 7 will be on detour (see maps) due to Super Bowl road closures. 

The TECO Line Streetcar is also Stop #1 of the Super Bowl Shuttle. Both services are FREE and operate every 15 minutes.

Following local and federal mandates, face masks are required on the Streetcar and on HART service.

Whether or not you are attending the Big Game, Downtown Tampa, Ybor, and beyond, it will be BUSY this weekend with a mix of visitors and residents enjoying the festivities. Officials stress downtown parking will be limited and heavy traffic is expected. 

Fans are encouraged to take transit for ease of travel and reducing traffic congestion.

RIDER TIPS:

The TECO Line Streetcar is FREE. HART is only $4.00 for a 1-day unlimited ride pass.

HART users can download the Flamingo Fares app. Pay your fare via the Flamingo Fares app and never worry about exact change! The app is available for Android and iOS.

See something. Say something.

Whether on the HART system, at Curtis Hixon Park, Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, or elsewhere in the vicinity, be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. If you see something suspicious, say something. Either alert a police or security officer nearby, call 9-1-1 or tell a HART employee.

Ride with Respect

Please be mindful of fellow riders and your HART Operator and Streetcar Motorman and Ride with Respect. Act appropriately on all HART vehicles and property.

Enjoy the fun, but stay safe

Downtown Tampa, Ybor, and beyond, will be busy this week with a mix of visitors and residents enjoying the festivities. Please pay attention and stay alert when crossing TECO Line Streetcar System tracks and streets. It takes just a moment to be aware and look both ways.

Flying out? Route 30 operates between downtown and Tampa International Airport every 30 minutes on weekdays and weekends. Service begins at 4:30 a.m. through midnight during the week and 5:30 a.m. to midnight on the weekends.

HART Customer Service is always available at 813-254-4278.