HART Service is Temporarily Fare Free to Support Milton Recovery - EXTENDED Through Oct. 28!

UPDATE (10.21.2024) - Fare-free service has been EXTENDED through Monday, October 28, 2024.

HART is pleased to announce that effective immediately, HART Bus, HARTPlus, and HARTFlex will operate fare-free until October 21st, 2024.

This initiative aims to provide transportation services to our community during the ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Milton.

The decision to implement fare-free service is driven by three critical factors:

1. Emergency Transportation: Residents traveling to Emergency Comfort Stations established by the County will also benefit from free transit, enabling access to vital services during this challenging time.
2. Aid for Displaced Residents: Fare-free transit will help displaced residents, ensuring they have the means to move around safely.
3. Support for Students: All school students will have access to fare-free bus trips, ensuring they can attend school without the burden of transportation costs.

With ongoing detours and route adjustments due to hurricane damage, our bus operators are facing increased challenges. Implementing a fare-free policy will simplify operations and allow our drivers to focus on safely transporting all customers, whether they are traveling for education or in need of emergency assistance.

Offering free transit during this extended Hillsborough County State of Emergency is a crucial step in supporting our community. By eliminating transportation costs, HART’s goal is to relieve financial pressure on families and ensure that students can continue their education while providing residents with access to emergency services without additional burden.

HART is committed to serving our community and encourages all residents to take advantage of this fare-free service during these critical recovery efforts.

For more information about routes and schedules, please visit www.goHART.org or contact HART Customer Service at (813) 254-4278.

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 COVID-19 UPDATE: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

CUSTOMER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

In coordination with the Hillsborough County Office of Emergency in response to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) HART’s goal is to maintain as much service with the minimum inconvenience to customers. The top priority is to protect employees while minimizing inconvenience to customers.

What is HART doing to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 when using public transit services?

HART is disinfecting its fleet help reduce the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19. Our enhanced regimen includes additional disinfecting of frequent touchpoints such as disinfecting vehicle entry ways, fare boxes, steering wheels, operator seats, protective shields, modesty panels, stanchion bars, customer seat backs and hand rails on buses, vans and streetcars. All HART facilities’ surfaces, door knobs, sinks, faucets, hand rails and other common areas are being disinfected as well as customer amenities. 

The cleaning agents used in this effort are deemed effective for these purposes and contain anti-viral components such as bleach/water mixes and other disinfectant sprays.

HART is working in coordination with the Hillsborough County's Office of Emergency Management, in support of the public health response to slow the spread of COVID-19.

We are recommending that all HART employees and customers stay vigilant with good hygiene practices as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and stay home if you are sick. On-board signage and announcements have been installed to encourage seat staggering while riding.

We also ask that customers limit use of the HART systems for trips that are essential and necessary.

Has HART changed service yet?

As of Wednesday, April 1, 2020, HART will temporarily reduce service hours and operate all modes of transit on a Sunday service schedule with regular fares, due to closures along routes, reduced demand for service, and to support Hillsborough County's “Safer-at-Home” order. HART will also operate service Monday through Friday for Routes 20X, 24LX, 25LX, 31, and 60LX on their regular weekday schedule. There will be no HARTFlex service.

• All HART public meetings are cancelled until April 13, 2020
• TECO Streetcar will have abbreviated operating hours beginning March 20, 2020.
  The abbreviated service hours reflect the recent shutdown of bars and other entertainment activities, and the limiting of restaurant hours due to COVID-19.
  
  
  Temporary streetcar service hours:

§  Monday - Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

§  Saturday - Sunday: 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

How does the current Hillsborough County "Safer-at-Home" order and 9 PM - 5 AM curfew impact HART service?

The curfew currently does not apply to essential workers or essential trips. Public transportation is exempt from the order, as we continue to serve essential workers.

What if a HART vehicle has transported someone with COVID-19?

If a vehicle has been identified that a suspected or confirmed case of a patron or HART employee tested positive for COVID-19, the vehicle will be quarantined and disinfected by HART's HAZMAT vendor, Bio 1. The vehicle is safe for service 90 minutes after it has been disinfected.

What can I do to prevent the spread of COVID-19?

It is recommended that customers travel for emergency or essential purposes only. If you are sick, we ask you not to ride HART. People riding on public transit are encouraged to practice social distancing by allowing enough space from each other. It is recommended for everyone to stay vigilant with good hygiene practices as outlined by the CDC: 

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw it in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow to avoid contaminating your hands.

Is HART limiting the number of riders per bus?

We are encouraging social distancing to customers. Staggered seating signs, encouraging riders to sit in every other row, are posted on all buses. We ask customers who are sick to stay home and to limit their travel to essential trips.

What is HART’s service plan to deal with COVID-19?

As of Wednesday, April 1, 2020, HART will temporarily reduce service hours and operate all modes of transit on a Sunday service schedule with regular fares, due to closures along routes, reduced demand for service, and support of the Hillsborough County “Safer-at-Home” order. HART will also operate service Monday through Friday for Routes 20X, 24LX, 25LX, 31, and 60LX on their regular weekday schedule. There will be no HARTFlex service.

What if Pandemic conditions require the complete quarantine of Hillsborough County?

If pandemic conditions require a complete quarantine of Hillsborough County, all regularly scheduled bus, paratransit and streetcar service will be discontinued. All rolling stock and facilities will be properly secured. 

Restoration of service will require up to three (3) days to complete. Restoration will happen in the reverse order of the service reduction:

• Step 1: Staff requirements will be assessed.
• Step 2: Operator for all modes of transit will be contacted by Operations Control Center.
• Step 3: Vehicles will be inspected for service readiness.
• Step 4: Customer Service representatives will begin contacting subscription customers for Paratransit reservations.
• Step 5: Begin service delivery

How will I know when HART reduces service?

Continue to check www.GoHART.org or call Customer Service (813) 254-4278 for the latest updates. 

Will HART give employees masks to address their fears of contracting the COVID-19?

HART is providing gloves, facemasks, and sanitizer to service workers daily as supply numbers permit. The CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, such as avoiding touching your eyes or nose, and covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue. HART is reminding front line employees of these preventive measures.

I Ride with HART: Erma Jackson

Ms. Erma Jackson and a HART operator

HART carries thousands of passengers every week around Hillsborough County, and within all of those rides are countless stories to tell. Every month, HART will share our customers' accounts and what makes HART a significant part of our community.

"We want to thank everyone like Ms. Jackson, who took the time to share with us how important the transit system is to their daily lives," said HART Interim CEO Jeff Seward.

"These stories illustrate what an important role public transportation plays in taking people to work, school, medical appointments, grocery shopping, and so much more."

See how HART is making a difference in our customers' everyday lives.

For Ms. Erma Jackson, a HART bus keeps her connected to everything that is going on around her.

The bus stop near her ENCORE! Apartment building helps Ms. Jackson enjoy an active lifestyle. She depends on HART to take her to church, the grocery store, medical appointments, favorite restaurants and to see family and friends. Look for her on routes 1, 5, 9 12, 30 and MetroRapid. HART is her lifeline to the outside world.

"My gosh, I go everywhere. I take the bus to all of my appointments and shopping and anywhere I want to go," said Ms. Jackson. "It's been enjoyable. I meet lots of people, and I know a lot of the HART Bus drivers."

For more than 38 years, rain or shine, Ms. Jackson has relied on HART to take her all over the Tampa Bay area. Today, at the sweet age of 72 years young, Ms. Jackson encourages her friends and quite honestly everyone she meets to take a ride on a HART bus. Anyone that knows her Lately, she's been riding the bus for hours with a friend who suffered a stroke. They hop on a HART bus enjoy the sights and then stop somewhere to eat. Riding on the bus and meeting people has helped her friend in his recovery, she said.

Ms. Jackson also rides HART because it is the best financial choice for getting everywhere she needs to go. She truly appreciates the senior discount, since she lives on a modest income.

OneBusAway Tampa app provides comfort when traveling

When the OneBusAway Tampa application was released, Ms. Jackson was thrilled. She had just gotten a smartphone and had attended a OneBusAway outreach event where HART staff was educating customers about the new application. She admits at first, it was hard to understand, but now it has become her trusted tool.

The OneBusAway app has been the perfect addition to her transit journey. She says for her, the best thing about the app is that it gives her a sense of comfort. She knows when the bus will be arriving, and it has always been accurate for her.

Ms. Jackson enjoys the community feel to public transit. "You see different people every day, a different group of people every day," along with familiar faces she has come to know on a first-name basis. "Public transportation gets you out of your bubble."

She is grateful to have reliable transportation. Transit gives her independence and that is why she rides with HART.