HART Finance Department Receives High Honor!

HART Finance Department

HART has once again received the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).

For the fourth consecutive year, HART has been recognized for its outstanding achievements in financial accounting by the GFOA. The transit agency was recently awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, for its FY2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This award is the highest form of recognition for financial accounting, and it represents a significant accomplishment by the HART Finance Team.

In order to be awarded this achievement, a government unit must meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive spirit of full disclosure to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

The agency's CAFR for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015 was reviewed by selected members of the GFOA professional staff and the Special Review Committee, to assure it met the program's high standards. These include going beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles and preparing comprehensive financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure to clearly communicate its financial story.

The GFOA is a non-profit professional association servicing the needs of more than 17,500 government finance professionals, and has previously awarded HART the Certificate of Distinguished Budget Presentation in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Route of the Week: HARTFlex South Tampa

With a diverse service area roughly the size of Rhode Island, Hillsborough County provides a great mix of urban, suburban and rural destinations for our riders. Think about the destinations that you can see and experience with the HART transportation network!

Our featured Route of the Week is HARTFlex South Tampa!

HARTFlex is an on-demand van service that provides reservation or walk-up service. HARTFlex operates along a traditional route, but has the ability to "flex" up to 1/3 mile from the route within the zone.

HARTFlex South Tampa zone

HARTFlex South Tampa operates Monday-Friday between Britton Plaza Transfer Center and Westshore Plaza Transfer Center, with select trips to the MacDonald's Training Center.

Service Hours:

First trip: 

• Leaves Britton Plaza at 6:00 a.m.
• Leaves Westshore Plaza at 6:30 a.m.
• MacDonald's Training Center - 8:30 a.m. (one trip)

 Last trip:

• Leaves Britton Plaza at 7:00 p.m.
• Leaves Westshore Plaza at 6:30 p.m. 
• MacDonald's Training Center - 2:30 p.m. (one trip)

The HARTFlex South Tampa zone is a foodie heaven!


Here are just some of the restaurants within the HARTFlex South Tampa zone:

Datz' famous "Cheesy Todd" burger!

• Besito Mexican Restaurant
• Maggiano's Little Italy
• P.F. Chang's
• Mitchell's Fish Market
• Seasons 52
• Datz
• 4 Rivers Smokehouse
• Your Pie
• Miguel's Mexican Seafood and Grill
• SoHo Sushi
• Acropolis Greek Taverna
• Pane Rustica
• Lemon Grass Thai Kitchen

Need to work off all of that food? Orangetheory Fitness, LA Fitness, Barre Fitness, Tampa Fitness Center, and Dan Wall Fitness all fall within the HARTFlex South Tampa zone.

HARTFlex also has those working at one of Westshore Plaza's over 110 stores covered. HARTFlex South Tampa picks up and drops off at the Westshore Transfer Center, where riders can connect to routes 15, 30, and 45!

Those looking for a Pinellas County connection can transfer from HARTFlex Tampa to PSTA's 100X (along with HART routes 4,19, and 36) at the HART Britton Plaza Transfer Center.

From Lemon Grass, to LA Fitness, HART Takes You There.

Route of the Week: Route 57

Route 57 map

With a diverse service area roughly the size of Rhode Island, Hillsborough County provides a great mix of urban, suburban and rural destinations for our riders. Think about the destinations that you can see and experience with the HART transportation network!

Route 57 represents our last Local route in our Route of the Week Series!

Route 57 operates Monday - Saturday between University Area Transit Center (UATC) and Netp@rk Transfer Center. Weekday service operates from 4:50 a.m. - 10:35 p.m.; Saturday service from 5:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

The Route 57 serves major employment centers such as:

• The University of South Florida (USF)
• Moffitt Cancer Center
• James A. Haley Veterans Hospital
• Florida Hospital - Tampa
• Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
• Coca-Cola Enterprises
• Pepin Distributing Company
• Convergys 

Take Route 57 to the Seminole Hard Rock and Casino!

Riders looking for entertainment along the route can take Route 57 to the following:

• The Claw at USF
• Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
• AMF University Lanes
• USF Riverfront Park (Kayaks, Ropes Course, disc golf)
• Florida State Fairgrounds
• Rotary Riverfront Park

The cherry on top? USF students ride HART FREE with their Student IDs! Simply show the bus operator your Student ID and enjoy the free lift to class, work, fun, or home.

From USF to Florida Hospital, HART Takes You There.

Route of the Week: HARTFlex Northdale

HARTFlex Northdale map

With a diverse service area roughly the size of Rhode Island, Hillsborough County provides a great mix of urban, suburban and rural destinations for our riders. Think about the destinations that you can see and experience with the HART transportation network!

HARTFlex Northdale gets the spotlight this week!

HARTFlex is an on-demand van service that provides reservation or walk-up service. HARTFlex operates along a traditional route, but has the ability to "flex" up to 1/3 mile from the route within the zone.

HARTFlex Northdale operates Monday-Saturday between St. Joseph's Hospital - North and a HART stop at Fletcher Avenue and Dale Mabry Highway.

Service hours: 

• Monday-Friday:
  
  • First trip leaves Fletcher/Dale Mabry stop at 5:25 a.m.
  • First trip leaves St. Joseph's Hospital at 5:55 a.m.
  • Last trip leaves Fletcher/Dale Mabry stop at 8:25 p.m.
  • Last trip leaves St. Joseph's at 8:55 p.m.
• Saturday:
  
  • First trip leaves Fletcher/Dale Mabry stop at 6:45 a.m.
  • First trip leaves St. Joseph's Hospital at 7:10 p.m.
  • Last trip leaves Fletcher/Dale Mabry stop at 5:45 p.m.
  • Last trip leaves St. Joseph's Hospital at 6:10 p.m.

HARTFlex Northdale serves St. Joseph's Hospital - North!

HARTFlex Northdale provides a connection from Route(s) 36 and 33 to St. Joseph's Hospital - North. Patrons can transfer between the services at the Fletcher Avenue/Dale Mabry stop.

Love food? The Northdale area is a haven for a variety of restaurants! Here is just a sampling of options within the HARTFlex zone:

• 4 Rivers Smokehouse - BBQ restaurant that features all of your southern comfort food favorites from pulled pork to fried okra.
• The Sacred Pepper - Traditional American cuisine presented in stylish digs, plus live music & a separate wine lounge.
• Cigar City Brewpub - Cuban-influenced Tampa cuisine meets a lineup of house brews in this spacious, dark-wood tavern.
• Umami Tampa - A variety of sushi, sashimi, and more!
  
• Carmel Kitchen & Wide Bar - Chain serving modern Mediterranean fare, global wines & house cocktails in a warm, informal space.
• Simply Pho - Family-owned restaurant that offers a vast selection of authentic and delicious Vietnamese dishes in a comfortable casual environment.

Attend King High School or Gaither High School? HARTFlex Northdale may be a great alternative to taking the school bus! With HARTFlex service, riders can subscribe to be picked up from their house everyday at a specific time. No need to call in every time to reserve!

HARTFlex service is only $1.00 per trip or $2.00 all-day. One-day and 31-day passes are also accepted for HARTFlex service.

From sashimi to St. Joseph's Hospital, HART Takes You There.

Netp@rk Farmers Market is Back!

Netp@rk Farmers Market is the first Wednesday of each month!

We're back!  

The market at netp@rk is back and this time with an extra hour for transit riders and the general public to purchase healthy, fresh and local produce, so folks can easily grab all the ingredients necessary to make a healthy dinner as they make their way home from work or school.  

The market at netp@rk is the result of a partnership effort between HART, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful (KTBB), and Bio-Organics LLC to bring fresh food straight to the community. Acceptable forms of payment are cash, credit and debit cards.

From October 2016 through March 2017, transit riders and the general public will have an opportunity to purchase fresh fruit, vegetables and prepared foods at a farmers market located at the netp@rk transit transfer center. The program will offer the community a farmers market every first Wednesday, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

In addition to the fresh produce offering, KTBB will host an information table that will provide the public with brochures and pamphlets on the benefits of healthy eating and nutrition, healthy recipes ideas, wellness and smoking cessation.

For consumers on the go, the farmers market at the netp@rk transit transfer center is an ideal solution for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables, while also supporting a local business!

HART and KTTB will monitor and evaluate the success of this program closely in order to possibly extend the program in the future.

Just more ways HART is going Beyond the Bus!

Route of the Week: HARTFlex South County

HARTFlex South County provides door-to-door van service!

With a diverse service area roughly the size of Rhode Island, Hillsborough County provides a great mix of urban, suburban and rural destinations for our riders. Think about the destinations that you can see and experience with the HART transportation network!

The spotlight is on South County this week, as HARTFlex South County is the Route of the Week!

Launched in April 2010, HARTFlex South County started as a pilot project (along with the Brandon area) testing demand for door-to-door van service.

Quick refresher on HARTFlex service. HARTFlex vans operate along a fixed route (like traditional bus service). However, the service will also "flex" from the fixed route within the designated zone. Patrons wanting to be picked up or dropped off outside the designated route can make an advanced reservation. HARTFlex reservations may be made by calling 813-254-4278 anywhere from 2 hours, to 3 days in advance of your trip. Fares are $1.00 per trip, or $2.00 for an all-day HARTFlex pass.

HARTFlex South County operates Monday-Friday. First trip leaves Hillsborough Community College (HCC) SouthShore at 6:05 a.m. First trip leaves La Estancia Apartments at 6:35 a.m. Last trip departs HCC at 7:05 p.m. and the last trip departs La Estancia Apartments at 7:35 p.m. The service operates every 60 minutes.

South County operates between HCC SouthShore and La Estancia Apts.

HARTFlex South County Destinations:

• Sun City Center
• HCC SouthShore
• South Bay Hospital
• King's Point
• Amazon Warehouse
• SouthShore Corporate Park 
• Hillsborough County Tax Collector
• Lennard High School
• Freedom Plaza Community Center

Extended Streetcar Service for Weeknight Amalie Arena Events!

The Streetcar conveniently drops off behind Amalie Arena

Ever make the mistake of driving into Amalie Arena traffic? Honking cars and a scramble for parking is to be expected when some of the biggest names in entertainment come to town.

However, it doesn't have to be that way.

Tampa Historic Streetcar, Inc. and HART have decided to extend TECO Line Streetcar System service until midnight during weeknight/Sunday events at Amalie Arena.

List of upcoming Amalie Arena events!

Mon-Thursday & Sunday:

Leave Downtown Tampa – Whiting Station
11:00 PM, 11:20 PM, 11:40 PM, 12:00 AM

Leave Ybor City – Centennial Park Station
10:53 PM, 11:13 PM, 11:33 PM

With over 20,000 fans expected at these events, the TECO Line Streetcar System offers a low cost and convenient way to avoid all the event traffic in downtown. Park in any of the Ybor City garages and ride the streetcar, which drops off right behind Amalie Arena.

Coming from the West?

Park in the Fort Brooke Garage located on Franklin Street and Whiting Street. Whiting Station is directly across the street from the garage.

Not attending the event?  Anyone can take advantage of this later service to get around Downtown Tampa, the Channel District and Ybor City!

Know before you go:

• The streetcar is FREE to ride!
• Streetcar service will operate until midnight
• A map of the TECO Line Streetcar System can be found here.
• Streetcar service is also extended until midnight during Sunday-Thursday Tampa Bay Lightning home games.

More information can be found at www.TECOlinestreetcar.org.

Amalie Arena event schedule and ticket information can be found here.