HART Awarded $23.4 Million USDOT RAISE Grant

HART Maintenance Conceptual Master Plan

HART is excited to announce an award of $23,356,950 through the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program. The grant is the largest funding award in HART's history and will support Phase 1 of the Maintenance Site Remediation and Facility Modernization Project. Phase 1 of the Maintenance Site Remediation and Facility Modernization Project focuses on redeveloping a heavy maintenance facility site to meet the current and future needs of the HART fleet and operations and advances the agency’s mission to provide safe, efficient, and sustainable public transportation throughout Hillsborough County. Key components of Phase 1 include: Stormwater Remediation: Implementing stormwater management solutions to enhance environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance. Transit Vehicle Service Lane: Constructing a state-of-the-art service lane to improve the efficiency of vehicle maintenance and operations. Security Enhancements: Installing perimeter security fencing to ensure the safety and security of HART assets and personnel. The site remediation and modernization project lays the foundation for a modernized facility capable of supporting a fleet of up to 250 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses. Plans for the site include accommodating low-emission vehicles powered by CNG and/or hydrogen fuel, aligning with HART’s commitment to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. “The RAISE grant funding is crucial and will enable HART to modernize our facilities and enhance operational efficiency, paving the way for a greener, more sustainable transit system,” said HART CEO Scott Drainville. “We thank the Department of Transportation for recognizing the importance of this project and supporting HART’s vision for the future of public transportation in our region.” The RAISE program is a highly competitive grant initiative that supports transportation infrastructure projects with significant local and regional impacts. Over 200 projects of merit competed for this funding, with a total cost of all projects at over $2.3 billion. The grant award underscores the importance of investing in transit infrastructure to drive economic growth, enhance mobility, and improve resident's quality of life. “Hillsborough commuters deserve modern, clean transit to get them where they need to go on time. Now, thanks to the historic federal Infrastructure Law, HART can modernize its operations with a $23,256,950 grant for clean buses and vehicles that are low-cost, low-maintenance, and better for our health. The HART fleet will be serviced at a new and improved resilient service center to benefit everyone in Tampa and Hillsborough County. I’m thrilled that federal infrastructure investments and RAISE Grants are saving local taxpayers money at a time they need it.”

HART Receives U.S. DOT Grant to Expand Cross Bay Ferry

FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. KATHY CASTOR:

Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced that the Department of Transportation will award the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) $4,863,280 through the FY 2021 Passenger Ferry Grant Program.

“What a fitting love note from the Biden Administration to our Tampa community on Valentine’s Day – this grant will allow HART to significantly reduce operational costs while expanding the Cross Bay Ferry service, helping to grow intercity and commuter ferry service. It will grow a popular transit option between Tampa and St. Pete, reduce congestion, create local jobs, support small businesses and increase connectivity in the Tampa Bay region. In fact, over 90 percent of the CBF passengers patronize restaurants, shops, museums and sporting events in these two urban areas. This investment is a win-win-win for our community and all of our neighbors.

“I look forward to continuing to work with local partners like HART, the City and the County to secure federal funds for multi-modal projects that support our local economy and neighbors,” said Rep. Castor, who championed the project.

“We are thrilled to have received this grant,” said Hillsborough County Commissioner and HART Chairperson Pat Kemp, a longtime proponent of Tampa Bay ferry service. “It’s a great down payment on permanent service. It just goes to show how strong our ferry project is and the value of our region working together.”

The Passenger Ferry Grant Program (49 U.S.C. 5307(h)) provides competitive funding for projects that support passenger ferry systems in urbanized areas. These funds constitute a core investment in the enhancement and revitalization of public ferry systems in the nation’s urbanized areas. Funds are awarded based on factors such as the age and condition of existing ferry boats, terminals and related infrastructure; benefits to riders, such as increased reliability; project readiness; and connectivity to other modes of transportation.  Funding is allocated to projects on a competitive basis, from proposals submitted to FTA in response to Notices of Funding Opportunities.  Once awards are announced, funds are available for the year the announcement is made plus five years. See here for more information: https://www.transit.dot.gov/passenger-ferry-grants.