Join HART in Celebrating Transit Worker Appreciation Day!

Join HART in celebrating Transit Worker Appreciation Day on March 18, 2021.

HART bus, van and streetcar operators not only transport customers to doctor's appointments, school, work, etc., but also act as customer service representatives, tour guides, and sounding boards for their passengers. They are typically the first interaction customers experience to start their day.

With 800+ HART employees, there are so many employees "behind the scenes" who deserve a special "thank you". These include mechanics, maintenance attendants, dispatchers, radio shop staff, supervisors, customer service representatives, and more!

How our community can celebrate National Transit Worker Appreciation Day with us:

• When getting on a board a HART bus, van or streetcar say a HART-felt ‘thank you’.
• Recognize your favorite Operator or Motorperson by complimenting him/her by:
• calling HART Customer Service at 813-254-4278
• visiting Customer Service | HART (gohart.org) and selecting the "HART Commendation tab"
• Tweet a photo of yourself riding the HART system or with your favorite Operator or Motorperson using the hashtags #HARTHeroes #TransitWorkerDay

During the COVID-19 pandemic, HART transit workers have kept Hillsborough County rolling. They wear mask to protect you, please wear a mask to protect them.

COVID-19 UPDATE: A HART Bus Operator has Tested Positive - 3.16.21

  

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

The last routes operated include: 

• March 13, 2021
• Route 7 (West Tampa)
• March 14, 2021
• Route 16 (Waters Ave)
• Route 39 (Busch Blvd)
• March 15, 2021
• Route 38 (Mango/Brandon)
• Route 46 (Brandon)

This brings the total number of cases of HART employees testing positive for the coronavirus to 94 – including 37 bus operators, 7 van operators, 3 streetcar motorpersons, and 47 other employees.

All individuals are entitled to medical and health privacies and HART maintains the security of employees’ confidentiality. We respectfully ask the media to honor all HART employees’ privacy.

For the safety of everyone on board, following federal law, along with 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 provided onsite COVID-19 testing for all employees.
• 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.
• The bus destination signs on the outside of all HART buses display “Masks Required” 
• 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.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Two Additional Bus Operators Test Positive - 3.01.21

 

HART has received confirmation that an additional two bus operators have tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The last routes operated include: 

• February 24, 2021
• Route 24 LX (FishHawk/South Tampa)
• Route 34 (Hillsborough Ave) 
• Route 400 (Nebraska Ave) 
• Route 1 (Florida Ave) 

• February 25, 2021
• Route 24 LX (FishHawk/South Tampa) 
• Route 34 (Hillsborough Ave)
• Route 400 (Nebraska Ave) 
• Route 1 (Florida Ave) 

This brings the total number of cases of HART employees testing positive for the coronavirus to 93 – including 36 bus operators, 7 van operators, 3 streetcar motorpersons, and 47 other employees.

All individuals are entitled to medical and health privacies and HART maintains the security of employees’ confidentiality. We respectfully ask the media to honor all HART employees’ privacy.

For the safety of everyone on board, following federal law, along with 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 provided onsite COVID-19 testing for all employees.
• 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.
• The bus destination signs on the outside of all HART buses display “Masks Required” 
• 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.