HART Honors Military with Free Rides on Veterans Day

In appreciation for the contributions of the men and women who have served in our nation's armed forces, the Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) is offering free rides to U.S. military veterans on Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11, 2023.      

HART extends this invitation to ride to all members of the armed services, both active and retired, as well as to their family members or dependents. Riders are asked to show a valid military or veteran ID card when boarding any HART bus to qualify for a free ride.

"This is a token of our gratitude to all veterans, the silent heroes, who have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedoms," said Scott Drainville, HART CEO. "We also recognize the veterans within HART who have served across various branches of the armed forces and who work diligently to carry out the Agency's mission."

  

HART is proud to actively hire veterans, who constitute a vital part of our HART team. The HART organizational family currently includes more than 60 employees who are veterans, each with a special story of bravery and sacrifice.

Almost 13% of the HART current workforce consists of veterans who serve across several departments and specialities including vehicle operations, vehicle maintenance, revenue planning, safety/security, customer service, and information technology.

Hiring former military personnel brings to our team a unique blend of qualities that are essential for success in any organization: discipline, dedication, leadership, and a strong sense of duty. Their unwavering commitment to their mission and the ability to work effectively under pressure make them an invaluable asset to Team HART.

Veterans Day Service

HART service will operate on a regular Saturday service schedule for Veterans Day. The TECO Line Streetcar System will operate on a Saturday service schedule from 8:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.

HART Customer Service will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and can be reached by calling (813) 254-4278 or TDD (813) 626-9158. HART Customer Service Centers at the University Area Transit Center and the Marion Transit Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All other HART offices will be closed.

Give the Gift of Independence with the HART Travel Training Program!

Travel Training is available for anyone!

Driving to work, the doctor, school, the supermarket, to visit friends or just to get out and go is something many of us take for granted. 

According to different studies, lack of transit literally hurts many Americans. The 40 percent of American military veterans who live in rural areas report much lower health quality of life scores than urban veterans. The Veterans Administration attributes this in part to poor transit to medical facilities. Lack of transit to after-school sports means that rural kids are 25 percent more likely to be obese. And the future will be grimmer: by 2016, 15 million elderly people will be without access to transportation. Studies have shown that when seniors can no longer drive their cars, they cease participating in society: Visits to friends and family fall by 65 percent; shopping and eating trips fall by 59 percent. This lack of mobility impacts people’s ability to get around and Socializing becomes pretty much impossible. 

For many riders in Hillsborough County, HART means freedom, independence, self-possession. It gives people the ability to get out in the community, meet other people, be involved and to do the things that they enjoy doing.
 

Giving people a sense of independence is what drives HART Travel Trainer Mark Sheppard and his co-workers. This special group of individuals are passionate about what they do.  Mark has been a Travel Trainer with HART for 14 years.  

The HART Travel Training program has helped many folks in the Tampa bay area learn how to get around on their own and many have regained their much needed freedom but there is one program in particular that the HART Travel Training program helps out with that has made a world of difference for many. On occasion, Mark has the opportunity to assist the Recreation Therapist at the James A. Haley VA Hospital with the Traumatic Brain Injury veterans. These veterans typically only reach this stage of therapy of testing the use of public transit after 4-5 years as a patient at the hospital, many in power chairs. That’s where the HART Travel Trainer helps out. Mark and his team were asked to help with trip planning and participate in the trips to provide their assessment of the veteran’s ability to navigate a public bus system with the Recreation Therapist.

On a specific occasion, a veteran named Chester, from New York City, was scheduled to be assessed on an upcoming bus trip. As before on other occasions, HART Travel Trainers inquire from the therapist some basic information about the veteran. When Mark, heard he was from New York, and that he was a big Yankee’s fan, it was easy to determine where the trip plan would be taking them. It was early March, and Yankees Spring Training takes place in Tampa. In addition, HART had a Transfer Center within walking distance to Steinbrenner Field.

Let's tag along.

Mark, Chester, and the therapist headed to West Tampa Transfer Center. Once there, they crossed Himes Ave, and made their way to the pedestrian bridge over Dale Mabry Hwy. to Steinbrenner Field, where they were able to watch Chester’s favorite team practice.

We recognize people know HART as Hillsborough County’s public transportation system. However, there’s more to HART than buses on the street, or the bus stops and shelters you see in your neighborhood.

Give the gift of mobility with our FREE Travel Training program. ANYONE, regardless of ability, is able to take advantage of the HART Travel Training program.

Schedule a Travel Training session for parents, children, etc. by calling 813-254-4278! 

HART Salutes Veterans, Reservists and Active Military!

HART currently employs 114 men and women Veterans and Reservists

With Veterans Day approaching, HART thanks those who have served in the U.S. military in the past, or continue to serve as part of the National Guard.

 

HART is recognizing the service of employees who are military veterans during several appreciation events within the agency throughout the week.

HART employs 114 veterans, reservists and active military from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard, representing nearly 10% of the workforce, and in honor of their contributions these employees were presented with a thank you card and a pin to commemorate their service. The pin can be worn on the HART uniform as a visible reminder of the sacrifices the veterans and their family members have endured in the service of their country, reminding transit users and the community at large of the depth of their commitment and dedication.

All 114 Veterans & Reservists at HART are featured on the wall clings.

HART has been recognized by community organizations as a military-friendly employer for its efforts to actively recruit veterans. The current workforce consists of veterans who serve across a number of departments and specialties including vehicle operations, vehicle maintenance, revenue planning, safety/security, customer service, and information technology, just to name a few. To further honor our military employees, HART has displayed the names of all veterans within the agency in creative military silhouettes throughout the authority.

During the November HART Board Meeting, board members issued a proclamation to recognize and honor the men and women at HART that have served in the United States Armed Forces. All 114 employees will receive a copy of the proclamation.

In addition, The agency will once again be offering free rides to U.S. military veterans on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, 2016. 

Veterans Day HART Service

HART extends this invitation to ride to all members of the armed services, both active and retired, as well as to their family members or dependents. Riders are asked to show a valid military or veterans ID card when boarding any HART bus to qualify for a free ride. This promotion is not valid for use of HARTPlus service or the TECO Line Streetcar System.

On Veterans Day, HART service will operate on a regular Friday service schedule. There will be no service on Veterans Day for Routes 24X and 25LX. Also, the TECO Line Streetcar System will operate on a Friday schedule from 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.

The Tampa Bay area has the largest veteran population in Florida, according to a projection made by the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics. As of September 2015, a combined 178,899 veterans live in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties.

Serving Those Who Serve

You served your country with distinction.
Now HART is returning the favor.

If you're active duty or retired military personnel, or a military dependent, we'd like to thank you for your service by providing free rides on HART buses Sunday, November 11, in recognition of Veterans Day. Just show your military ID when boarding for your free ride.

It's our way of saying thank you for standing up for all of us.

Click here for more details on the Veterans ride free for Veterans Day. Free ride

Promotion does not cover HARTPlus and the TECO Line Streetcar System.

High Five Friday: Veterans Day Edition

High Five Friday is very special today as we honor members of the HART family that have served their country.

HART has more than 100 employees who are veterans or family members of veterans, each with a special story of bravery and sacrifice. But this year's Veterans Day story goes to Angel Ortiz, who is receiving a warm welcome home from his HART family.

"It feels great to be back," Ortiz said during a recent interview with him. "The welcome they gave me here ... I feel like I never left."

Mr. Ortiz is a HART Mechanic A, as well as a Navy Reservist. He returned to HART in October after a three-year deployment to El Salvador.

"Two years, eleven months and two weeks," he said. He recalls the time frames of each deployment with precision.

He's been with HART for six years, but deployed to Bahrain just a few months after he started. After a year, came back to HART for about six months, and deployed once again to El Salvador for what was supposed to be a one-year assignment.

He also had a four-year deployment to Spain prior to coming to HART. He has been in the Navy Reserves since 1994.

His most recent experience with the military has been in the areas of arms and security, and prior to that he worked in regulating drug trafficking.

Welcome Home, Angel Ortiz!

"I always wanted to be in the armed forces. I wanted to serve my country," Ortiz said. He lives in West Tampa with his wife of seven years. He said he looks forward to taking time to spend time with his family, especially his kids.

In addition, he enjoys softball and said he is looking forward to joining the HART softball team!

As a Mechanic A he works on all of the HART vehicles - cars, vans and buses - performing general maintenance.

"As soon as I got back, Mr. Hauck got me registered for classes, and the first week I was here I was taking classes," he said. Mr. Ortiz now is just four classes away from becoming a Master Mechanic.

And just one day away from Veterans Day, a day to honor the unselfish service by people like Mr. Ortiz, as well as the millions of American veterans and their families. Happy Veterans Day, and high fives all around!

Mr. Ortiz left a special message for his fellow veterans over on our YouTube channel.

Honoring our Heroes

HART salutes our military, past and present

At the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month in 1918, armistice was declared, effectively ending four years of battle that would come to be known as World War I.

By 1954, a veteran of another war, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, signed a bill recognizing November 11 as a day to honor the brave men (and women) who fought in all of America's wars.

That's why we recognize veterans on November 11 each year. Today, we take a page from history and salute our own heroes on this Veterans Day. HART is proud to provide free service to all active and retired military personnel today, along with their dependents.

A House of Heroes
Not long ago, a veterans' advocacy group approached HART with a request: could we offer free rides for veterans in need? From those conversations, a special salute to veterans on their day of honor was born.

One of the local organizations that we've been working with is Liberty Manor for Veterans, a "non-profit organization with the objective of promoting the developmental and social needs of veterans who have served our country and fought for our independence...but fallen victim to homelessness."

Liberty Manor, which declares "the home of the free because of the brave" on its website, provides transitional housing to homeless veterans, helping them with job skills and connecting them with sources of financial support such as military pensions or Social Security disability compensation, putting them back on the road to self-sufficiency.

Stories of people helped by Liberty Manor range from an 86-year-old member of the "Greatest Generation" who fought in World War II, to a young Iraq War veteran who developed a severe medical condition while serving - along with veterans of every war in between.

In fact, one of Liberty Manor's success stories is a veteran who was eventually hired as a HART bus driver!

Having veterans behind the wheel of our buses helps us understand how important reliable transportation is for men and women who bravely served and have now fallen on hard times. The James A. Haley VA Hospital in the USF area is one of our most requested destinations, with former military personnel making frequent medical trips there.

HART is honored to play a small part in making the lives of our veterans a little easier. We thank all military personnel, past and present, for your sacrifice and your service.

For more on Liberty Manor for Veterans, visit their website here.

We also thank our other military partners, including the Veterans Advocacy Council, the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County, and Friend of Families Foundation.org.