HART to Implement Service Changes on Sunday, August 4, 2024

 

HART is implementing service changes to several HART routes on Sunday, August 4, 2024, to improve efficiency and the customer experience.

• Service with Schedule Changes / Cambios en el horario: 
• Routes 1, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 15, 24LX, 25LX, 30, 34, 37, 38, 45, 46, 275LX, and 360LX

• Earlier service / Servicio temprano: Routes 37 and 38

HART customers can visit goHART.org to view the service changes or contact Customer Service at (813) 254-4278 for more information.

Swim with HART: Free City of Tampa Pool Access with HART Pass!

HART and the City of Tampa’s Parks and Recreation Department have launched Swim with HART – a program that lets HART riders gain free admission into City of Tampa pools.

The pilot program will run through the end of the summer pool season, Saturday, August 10. Showing your bus pass at City pools will get you in for free during open swim and lap swim hours at Parks and Recreation’s 11 open pools.

“This partnership between Parks and Recreation and HART will enable more residents to enjoy our City of Tampa pools,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said. “It’s great that we can count on HART to help Tampa’s residents become more active and have more fun.”

Although you do not need to take a bus to the pool, HART created a custom map showing the best routes to get to four pools and three splash pads.

"We are excited to partner with the City of Tampa’s Parks and Recreation Department to provide free pool access to HART riders this summer,” HART Manager of Marketing Frank Wyszynski said. “This initiative lets riders beat the heat and also encourages residents to utilize public transportation for fun and recreational activities.”

You can find the map, and the hours for open swim and lap swim, at tampa.gov/swim-with-HART.

Impact of Friday Evening Storm on HART Facility

Following a severe weather event that recently went through our area Friday evening, HART faced significant challenges in ensuring the continuity of transit services for several hours. The HART Transit Operations Facility lost all power, which included vital infrastructure such as the generator, radio tower communications and data-center information systems.

Emergency work on HART's main generator

The effects of these high-impact, pop-up weather events underscore the urgent need for support to harden our transit operations infrastructure. To address these challenges effectively, HART is actively pursuing a US Department of Transportation (US DOT) RAISE Grant, requesting $23.4 million. This grant is crucial for HART to begin addressing our facility needs and improve the resilience of infrastructure for current and future weather and climate risks.

"We are at a critical juncture in maintaining the operational readiness of our transit services when strong-impact storms affect our Operations & Heavy Maintenance Facility," said Kemly Jimenez Green, HART Director of Communications. The support from a US DOT RAISE Grant will play a pivotal role addressing infrastructure and bolstering our resilience against future disruptions."

HART’s RAISE grant application (The Project) seeks funding specifically for the first phase of the site remediation and modernization, which will be followed by the demolition and rebuilding of the 45-year-old heavy maintenance facility. The Project will improve the safety of the traveling public through improved routine maintenance of the buses as well as safer facilities for HART staff. The Project will address environmental sustainability through the provision of nature-based solutions for stormwater remediation and improving resilience of infrastructure for current and future weather and climate risks.

HART has remained committed to providing reliable transit services to our community despite these challenges. Thanks to highly skilled Controllers, Transit Supervisors, Bus Operators, and Paratransit Drivers – HART continued to deliver service out on the roads –avoiding any systemic customer disruptions Friday evening.

HART values the ongoing support and collaboration of our community partners and stakeholders, especially Tampa Electric for restoring power to HART as quickly as possible. This allowed HART to service and maintain vehicles overnight and resume transit operations this morning for all our customers.

Flooding in the inventory room

HART April 14 Service Changes are Postponed to May 12, 2024

UPDATE: The HART Service Changes previously scheduled for April 14, 2024, are postponed to May 12, 2024, due to unforeseen technology issues.

HART staff have encountered issues with our Computer-Aided Dispatch / Automatic Vehicle Location (CAD/AVL) system that have led to the need to delay the implementation of adjustments to our service routes and schedules. The CAD/AVL software has reached the end of its useful life and HART is currently in the procurement process for a new system.

The issue primarily impacts our Google Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) data, which involves real-time travel information.

To ensure a smooth transition and to provide you with the high-quality service you expect from HART, we have rescheduled the service changes to take effect on May 12, 2024.

Please be assured that we are working diligently to resolve the technology issues and minimize any further delays.

Customers can contact Customer Service at 813-254-4278 with any questions.

HART Youth Pass Returns April 1, 2024

Starting April 1, HART riders ages 18 and under are required to pay the Youth Fare to ride. The Youth Fare is 50% off the regular fare ($2 for a day pass and $32.50 for an entire month) on all HART services. 

Youth ages five and under remain free on HART with a parent.

Eligible riders must register for the HART Youth Pass by visiting the Customer Service windows at: 

Marion Transit Center

1211 N. Marion Street | M-F 6AM - 6PM | Sat 8AM - 5PM

University Area Transit Center

13110 N. 27th Street | M-F 6AM - 5PM | Sat 8AM - 5PM

The Youth Fare is exclusively available on Flamingo Fares, HART’s mobile app and smart card payment system.

HART and Commissioner Gwen Myers to Host Women's Health and Wellness Fair

HART in partnership with Hillsborough County Commissioner and HART Board Member Gwen Myers is hosting a Women's Health & Wellness Fair as part of the transit agency’s celebration of National Women's Month.

The Health & Wellness Fair is being held on Saturday, March 9 from 9 AM - 12 PM, at the Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 1207 N. Jefferson Street, Downtown Tampa.

The event will feature a variety of community women's health and wellness resources.

“HART is happy to partner with Commissioner Myers on this very important Health and Wellness Fair providing women with the tools to be champions for their own health,” said Carla Williams, HART Director of Community & Business Engagement. "Ensuring the well-being of women is not only about promoting equality but is a fundamental investment in the overall health and prosperity of our communities. 

HART Finance Department Receives High Honor for Financial Reporting!

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to HART!

The GFOA Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

"We are honored by the recognition because it showcases HART's commitment to transparency," said Interim Chief Financial Officer Loretta Kirk. "This accolade serves as a testament to our ongoing efforts to foster trust and be good financial stewards, and it fuels our determination to maintain the highest standards of transparency in all that we do."

The award recognizes HART's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022.

An impartial panel reviewed the report concluding it meets the high standards of the program, which include demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.

The GFOA advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research for more than 21,000 members and the communities they serve.