Mask Requirement on HART Service has Been Lifted

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced yesterday (April 18) the withdrawal of SD 1582/84-21-01E, requiring masks on public transportation and at public transportation facilities. The TSA will no longer enforce their mask-related security directives. 

As such, effective immediately, HART will no longer require masks on board our buses, vans, and streetcars and at our facilities including work offices. HART operators will no longer be required to enforce the mask requirement on our vehicles. 

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation environments. 

Customers and employees are still welcome to wear a mask in all settings.

HART Offers Assistance to Support Federal Employees at Tampa International Airport

Tampa International is served by five HART routes

The partial government shutdown has entered its third week. For many federal employees in Tampa, it has been 21 days of being furloughed or going without pay. According to reports, nationally about 800,000 workers have been affected by the partial shutdown. At the Tampa International Airport, 800 federal employees are impacted.

As this shutdown continues, HART and Tampa International Airport (TPA) have partnered to provide a viable transportation option for their employees travel to and from work. HART has donated 500 31-Day farecards to support workers of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to ease the hardship they are facing during the partial shutdown.

During a government shutdown, many federal employees are considered essential - requiring them to report to work even if they are not getting paid. The employee's ability to get to work is critical for Tampa both financially and operationally. Tampa International Airport is a vital transportation gateway and an economic engine for the Tampa Bay area.

HART's contribution will hopefully ease the transportation burden and enable workers to utilize the funds for other necessary items during this period of uncertainty.

"It is a privilege to be able to offer some assistance to the hardworking federal workers at Tampa International Airport during this time," said HART Interim CEO Jeff Seward. "We have built a strong relationship with the airport team, and any assistance we can provide its employees, we stand at the ready."

"We are grateful to all of our partners in the Bay area who are pulling together to assist the federal workers who are such an important part of the airport family," said Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano. "Their commitment to safety and customer service is what helps make Tampa International one of the best airports in the world."

HART is committed to being an integral part of the communities it serves. Giving back for us is about identifying a need in our community and making sure we are there to provide the help needed.

HART One of 5 Transit Agencies to Earn Top Security Honors

HART Maintenance upgrading lights at UATC

HART has earned top honors from the federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for its outstanding security program. The prestigious "Gold Standard" designation is bestowed on those agencies that show outstanding dedication and accomplishment by building robust security as measured by the stringent Baseline Assessments for Security Enhancement (BASE).  

"It is an honor to be included in this prestigious list," said HART Chief Executive Officer Katharine Eagan. "It's a real testament not only to the hard work of our safety staff, but also to the 650 professional Operators, maintainers, servicers, technicians, supervisors, and dispatchers who make safety and security their priority every day."

As TSA Acting Administrator Melvin Carraway stated in an official press release, "These agencies are to be commended for their commitment and hard work that this level of achievement requires and for their continued dedication to ensure the security of travelers nationwide."

The BASE program is a comprehensive voluntary review of transit security, developed to help transit systems across the USA increase domain awareness, enhance prevention and protection capabilities, and elevate response preparedness. BASE focuses on multiple categories including agency security plans; security training; drills and exercise programs; public outreach efforts, and background checks.

The TSA conducts BASE reviews every three years. The review examines written processes as well as security procedures that agencies have put into

HART recently participated in a safety drill with HCFR

practice to help keep employees, customers, and facilities safe from terrorist attacks.

HART was honored with the Gold Standard Award in 2011, scoring 98%. During the most recent evaluation in 2014 HART raised that score to 99%.

Staff in the HART Safety and Security Department work closely with Hillsborough County Emergency Management in case of a hurricane or other local emergencies, and they coordinate drills and activities with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Tampa Police Department, Tampa Fire and Rescue, and other agencies.

In addition to HART, Virginia Railway Express in Northern Virginia; the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in Washington, DC; the Metropolitan Transit Authority's Long Island Rail Road in New York; and the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority in St. Petersburg, FL were also recognized for achieving the Gold Standard.

In addition to these five agencies, there have been 42 others that have previously earned the Gold Standard Award level of security since 2010.

HART Security Standards Earn National Recognition!

HART partners with law enforcement for regular security/safety drills

HART is one of 17 rail and mass transit agencies from throughout the country to receive the Transportation Security Administration's "Gold Standard," the highest rating an agency can earn for its Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement (BASE). Transit agencies volunteer for this comprehensive review, which analyzes systems, identifies vulnerabilities, and assesses progress in areas such as security plans, security training, drills/exercise programs, public outreach efforts and background check programs. 

Transit systems were reviewed in 2011, and TSA announced those who received the "Gold Standard" earlier this month.  

"For HART, it means our plans and procedures are up to par with best practices, and we will continue fine-tuning our collaboration with law enforcement and emergency responders," said Michael Stephens, who oversees HART safety/security as Director of Human Resources, Risk, and Legal Services. "HART is a valuable resource for law enforcement investigations and during an emergency, and we are ready to respond when needed."

HART has enhanced security operations and emergency management by building strong partnerships with local law enforcement and emergency response agencies. HART has also boosted training among drivers, transportation supervisors, as well as maintenance employees, to increase their awareness about suspicious activities.

Projects such as enhanced lighting have helped increase safety on HART

In addition, since 2002, HART has used federal funding to build an extensive surveillance system and security cameras are now on all buses and streetcars, as well as several HART facilities. These cameras have not only enforced rider regulations and served as a crime deterrent for enhanced safety of HART customers, recordings from these cameras have provided local law enforcement with valuable evidence to help solve outside criminal investigations.  

"I commend these organizations for their commitment and hard work that this level of achievement requires," said TSA Administrator John S. Pistole. "TSA recognizes the continued dedication individual transit agencies demonstrate every day to ensure the safety of travelers nationwide."

The BASE program was developed to increase enhance prevention and protection capabilities, and further response preparedness of transit systems nationwide. BASE is aimed at meeting the requirements in the 9/11 Commission Act's security assessment section, which directs TSA to identify critical assets, infrastructure and systems and their vulnerabilities, and assist bus and public transportation authorities to address their security programs