HART Celebrates 'Rosa Parks Day'

Rosa Parks

It all started on a bus in 1955, after Rosa Parks decided to take a stand by taking a seat. 

Ms. Parks' brave actions on December 1, 1955, led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott that culminated one year later with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling guaranteeing access and ending segregation on public transportation.

Rosa Parks' seat designation

In honor of Ms. Parks' courageous act and dedication to Civil Rights, HART designates a seat on every bus throughout Black History Month in February.

"Ms. Parks' actions created opportunities for millions of transit users locally and throughout the country who rely on public transportation to get to work, to school and to create the lives they want to live," Ruthie Reyes Burckard, HART Interim Chief Executive Officer said. "Her decision to keep her seat reminds all of us of the importance of standing for equality."

It all started on a bus, and HART celebrates Ms. Rosa Parks and the role transit played in advancing Civil Rights and equality.

Ruthie Reyes Burckard Named Interim HART CEO

New HART ICEO Ruthie Reyes Burckard

The HART Board of Directors appointed HART veteran Ruthie Reyes Burckard as its Interim Chief Executive Officer (ICEO), effective immediately, at the October 14, 2020 Special Board meeting. Reyes Burckard will be receiving a salary of $195,000, until the permanent CEO joins HART.

Reyes Burckard brings 30-years of public transportation experience to the ICEO role as the Agency narrows the field of candidates in a search for a permanent CEO. Reyes Burckard started her career as a Bus Operator in 1990 in New York City. She has served HART in Operations since 2002, most recently as the Deputy Chief of Transportation.

"I look forward to strengthening the agency by focusing on what's most important - the customer, the employees and continue fostering lasting community partnerships," she told the HART Board of Directors in an October 14^th Special meeting.

Celebrating the Women of HART!

HART celebrates the Women of HART!

In honor of Women's History Month, the HART is featuring the women of our agency by showcasing their views about the role of women in transit and what advice they have for younger women in our industry. Women in transit have unique perspectives and talents, and we're honored to share their voice throughout the month of March.

"HART believes that a diversified workforce is the key to a strong future," said HART Interim CEO, Jeff Seward. "We have some incredible women employed across the ranks at HART, and it's their unique viewpoints and invaluable insights that have only strengthened the organization and improved services. I hope you'll join me in honoring our women not only through the month of March, but all year long."

You can read some of their comments below to learn what Women's History Month means to them, what makes HART a great place to work, and their experience as a women in the transit industry.

What is the most exciting thing about being a woman in the transit industry today?

Connie Cosme - TECO Line Streetcar Motorwoman

"Working with all the men and being the only women for quite some time. It has had its challenges, but I've stuck it out. I keep the men in check."

- Connie Cosme, TECO Line Streetcar Motorwoman 

"Seeing the growth of woman in the industry. We've seen so many changes for women in key roles."

- Ruthie Reyes Burckard, HART Chief Operating Officer - 16 years

What does Women's History Month mean to you?

Latisha Jones - HART Van Operator

"I see Women's History month as a dedicated period for the celebration of women's achievements and contributions, but my first thought is women have come a long way from being a voice in society, to becoming extraordinary, educated and prominent women in society. I look at women in transit who helped shape the transit industry, like Sarah B. Owens and Sarah Grayson both African-American women who paved the way for women like me."

- Latisha Jones, HART Van Operator - 5 years

What's the best piece of professional advice that you've given other women?

Delores Chatman - HART Bus Operator

"Be yourself. The world looks at you and they see who you are. You don't have to play games with them or anything like that. Be yourself. Be respectful and be yourself."

- Delores Chatman, HART Bus Operator - 14 years

"You will learn to respect every entity of what you supervised because you once did it. All you need is a good education, good experience and number one great personality. "

- Latisha Jones, HART Van Operator - 5 years

Kenyatta Lee - HART CAO (RIGHT)

"Just make sure that you're the best that you can be, in anything that you strive to do. Take those opportunities to actually advance yourself to learn more."

- Kenyatta Lee, HART Chief Administrative Officer and Interim Chief of Staff - 1 ½ years 

What do you think makes HART a great place to work?

Ruthie Reyes Burckard - HART COO

"The opportunities that we present to employees internally. We do a lot of hiring from within and promoting up. So for me, the opportunities that have been shown to me, and afforded to me, really give me a different perspective throughout the different jobs that I've done."

- Ruthie Reyes Burckard, HART Chief Operating Officer - 16 years

"It's always been the people for me here. It's pretty good being able to meet people from all over, and HART has given me that opportunity to work with them. Pretty neat, and it's definitely different on my resume."

- Connie Cosme, TECO Line Streetcar Motorwoman  - 15 ½ years

HART believes that having strong women representation in its workforce sets a good example for other organizations and industries. Women in different positions throughout the agency, sets a stellar example to encourage and inspire the up-and-coming generation of young women to follow their career dreams and also help lead the world forward.

HART Board Advances FY2015 Proposed Budget During Public Hearing

Enhancements and a balanced budget were the theme of the first Public Hearing and HART Board of Directors Regular Meeting on the Proposed FY2015 Millage Rate and Annual Budget held September 8. The HART Board of Directors voted to adopt the tentative FY2015 budget, tentative levying of ad valorem taxes, and a tentative millage rate of .5000 for FY2015.

The $83.8 million proposed operating and capital balanced budget is 3.1 percent lower than the current one and includes cost-saving measures that allow the agency to expand service on five bus routes. 

• The FY2015 budget is based on projected revenue of $65.8 million for operations, which is $2.1 million higher than the current budget.
• The FY2015 Proposed Operating Budget is $65,813,577, which is $2.1 million higher than the FY2014 Amended Budget and the FY20145 Capital Budget is $18,084, 814, which is $4.7 million less that the FY2014 Amended Budget. 
• FY2015 Budget goals were established based on the reality of available resources, to provide a stable foundation for HART for five years. These budget documents are available at www.goHART.org, under the "Public Meetings" page. 

Primary FY2015 Budget Goals:

• Maintain current service levels and support continued increases in ridership, while providing enhancements to selected existing services based on Transit Development Plan (TDP).
• Long-term fiscal sustainability will include a plan to migrate the reliance on Federal funds for operations.
• Prepare HART for future growth.
• Focus overall on "forward-thinking" innovative programs; making HART an "employer of choice," and reinvesting new revenues.

In other matters, the Board of Directors also approved all the action items on the agenda, including reaffirming HART vision, mission, core values and goals and the proposed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for FY2015, and keeping the fare structure as Status Quo for FY2015. The FY 2015-2024 Transit Development Plan (TDP), is an annual update submitted by HART to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

During the meeting, Ruthie Reyes Burckard, Interim Chief Operating Officer, updated the board about year-to-date status and various factors impacting Operations Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

In addition, Ms. Reyes briefed the Board of Directors on the results of an on-board survey conducted by Tindale-Oliver and Associates, Inc. (TOS) contracted by HART. Generally, a comprehensive on-board survey is performed every four to six years. The last survey was conducted in April 2009.

Next Regular Board of Directors Meetings 

The HART Regular Board of Directors and 2nd and Final PublicHearing on the proposed FY2015 Millage Rate and Annual Budget will take place Monday, September 22, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. at the HART Ybor Office, 1201. E. 7th Ave., in Tampa.

Closed captioning from the monthly HART Board of Directors meetings will be posted within 5 - 8 business days on the Hillsborough Television (HTV) website.

Click here to view video recordings from recent HART Board/Committee meetings.

HART Regular Board Meeting 8/07/13 Recap

During its regular monthly meeting on Monday, August 5, the Board unanimously voted to authorize the HART Board Chair Fran Davin to sign an amendment for the creation of the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) endorsing the 2013 membership apportionment plan for submittal to the Governor's office.   

   

The main focus of the meeting was an overview presentation of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and a compliance presentation on

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin. 

Key points from the meeting include:

• Marco Sandusky, HART Manager of EEO & Compliance Programs updated the board about HART Title VI compliance. As a recipient of federal funding, HART carries out a Title VI Program consisting of Notification, Complaint Procedures, a Limited English Proficiency (LEP) plan, Public Participation, Fixed Facilities Impact analysis, System-wide service standards and policies, Transit Service Monitoring, and Service and Fare Change Analysis. 

• Katharine Eagan, HART Chief Operating Officer updated the board about Operations Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The KPI for on-time performance has been trending upward during FY2013 and is expected to meet KPI targets for the year. Ms. Eagan touched upon factors impacting On-Time performance (OTP) and HART staff efforts on mitigating OTP.

COO Katharine Eagan also formally introduced the new HART Director of Van Operations, Ruthie Reyes Burckard, who assumed the role in July. Van Operations includes services such as HARTPlus, HARTFlex, and Travel Training, and Reyes Burckard will also oversee HART Dispatch and Customer Service Departments.

Ms. Burckard will now oversee HARTFlex and HARTPlus service

Reyes Burckard has been with HART since 2002 and most recently served as the Paratransit and Customer Service Manager. In that role she headed up the Paratransit Eligibility and Customer Service departments while ensuring that HART delivers the highest level of customer service.     

Next Regular Board of Directors Meetings 

HART's First Budget and Regular Board Meeting will take place Monday, September 9 at 5:30 p.m., and Final Budget and Regular Board Meeting will take place Monday, September 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the HART Ybor Office, 1201. E. 7th Ave., in Tampa.