Connect to HART with New OneBusAway Tampa Communication Tool!

New OneBusAway Tampa reporting tool

OneBusAway Tampa, the innovative app that brings you HART real-time arrival information, is now even better with the launch of a new reporting tool!

HART is the first transit agency in Florida to partner directly with SeeClickFix, Inc., a communications platform, which will allow HART riders to stay connected with HART. The OneBusAway Tampa app's latest feature allows riders to report issues, provide suggestions to HART in real time, receive status updates, and monitor the progress and resolutions.

In addition, riders can vote on issues that are important to maintaining our transit system. Behind the scenes, issues and suggestions are automatically assigned to the appropriate department for immediate attention, thus streamlining the customer service process and enabling better statistical reports.  

OneBusAway user just need to tap "Send Feedback"

OneBusAway Tampa users can access the reporting tool by tapping the "Send Feedback" button on the left-hand menu. 

The customer service reporting feature is currently only available on Android devices.

However, our iOS friends were recently shown some love in a recent update to the iOS platform. The OneBusAway app now allows HART patrons to instantly track buses to see (on a map) exactly how far the bus is from their current location. The OneBusAway Tampa iOS layout has also been greatly improved.   

The Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida developed the standardized interface between the OneBusAway and SeeClickFix system as part of a project which aims to improve communication between travelers and public agencies providing transportation services. This work was sponsored by the National Center for Transit Research and Florida Department of Transportation.
 
Since it was originally launched, the free app has gained in popularity with HART patrons, being accessed closed to 300,000 times per month.
 
Thanks to OneBusAway, riders save time, effort, and stress, with the reassurance of knowing exactly where their HART bus is! And now, the app connects them directly to HART!

Set Sail to Gasparilla with HART and The TECO Line Streetcar!

Take the Streetcar to the pirate festivities!

Arrgh you ready?! Have your sights set on Gasparilla? Travel safely to the festivities... set sail with HART and the TECO Line Streetcar System! 

HART will run extra streetcar, bus and In-Towner service to accommodate the large numbers of anticipated riders on Saturday, January 28th. (Please note that routes are subject to change due to road closures.)

 
HART is by far the most convenient and affordable way to travel to the Gasparilla parade. An all-day HART bus pass is $4.00; an all-day streetcar pass is $5.00. Exact change is the fastest way to get on buses and streetcars during the parade.
    

Below are important details to make the trip to the Gasparilla parade easier: 

TECO Line Streetcar System

• 
  $5 for an all-day pass, which may be purchased in advance with cash (exact change required) at ticket vending machines, located at each streetcar station. *This fare does not cover City of Tampa parking fees.
• For those parking in Ybor City, HART strongly recommends riders to board The TECO Line Streetcar System at either Station 1 (Centennial Park) or Station 2 (Centro Ybor) to Downtown Tampa, Station 10 (Dick Greco Plaza).
• Continuous service 8:00 a.m.-1:30 a.m.
• TECO Line Streetcar System Stations 3 and 4 will be closed 10 a.m.-2 p.m., but during that time, HART will provide continuous bus service to/from Station 10 (Dick Greco Plaza) between 9:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
• Stations 11 will be closed all day. View Map for Gasparilla 2017 
• Stations 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 will be closed 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

HART Bus Service

Tackle Gasparilla with this map!

• An all-day pass is $4, which may be purchased in advance at HART retail outlets or on board buses on Gasparilla Day with cash only (no change provided). Monthly bus passes may also be used. *This fare does not cover City of Tampa parking fees.
• For those parking in Ybor City, Station 3 (Streetcar Society Station) and Station 4 (Cadrecha Station) HART will be providing continuous bus service to/from Downtown Tampa, Station 10 (Dick Greco Plaza) 9:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.  
• For those parking at the Port Authority Parking Garage in the Channel District, HART will be providing continuous bus service to/from Station 10 (Dick Greco Plaza) 9:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. View Map for Gasparilla 2017  

The In-Towner

• FREE service
• The In-Town Trolley provides a connection from the north end of Downtown Tampa (Marion Transit Center) to the south end of Downtown Tampa, serving many of the downtown area parking garages. View Map for Gasparilla 2017
• Continuous service 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.  

Getting to Downtown Tampa on HART

• From North Tampa: Routes 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 12,  14, 18
• From Temple Terrace: Route 6
• From Brandon: Route 8
• From West Tampa/Citrus Park: Route 7
• From South Tampa: Route 19
• From Town 'N Country/Westchase: Route 30

View HART bus maps and schedules

Detours
Routes 7, 8, 14, 19, and 30 will be on detour during the festivities.

Make sure to party like a responsible pirate! No coolers or alcohol allowed on HART buses and the TECO Line Streetcar System.

Comm. Lesley "Les" Miller Named New HART Board Chairperson

Commissioner "Les" Miller named HART Board Chair

At its January 9 meeting, the HART Board of Directors elected Hillsborough County Commissioner Lesley "Les" Miller as the new Chairperson for the year 2017, succeeding Tampa City Councilman Mike Suarez.

"I am honored to be chosen by my peers to lead an agency that is dedicated to enhancing transportation services in Hillsborough County," Miller said. "I'm looking forward to serving as chairperson on the HART Board of Directors and will continue our initiatives to improve mobility for all who live, work and visit this county. HART is transforming transportation in the Tampa Bay area."

Other officers elected were Karen Jaroch as Vice Chairperson, Tampa City Councilman Mike Suarez as Secretary.

"I am very excited about this new Board leadership. All of the new officers have made many contributions to the success of HART and public transportation in Hillsborough County," said Katharine Eagan, HART Chief Executive Officer. "Their leadership within the HART Board of Directors will continue to be key to delivering the kind of high-quality public transportation customers rely on every day, and continue to better address current and future transportation needs in the Tampa Bay Area."

Commissioner Les Miller was elected to represent District 3 in 2010. Miller previously served as a member of the Florida Senate from 2000-2006 and a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1992-2000. During his time in the Florida Legislature, he served as the Minority Leader for both the House and the Senate. He also was appointed to the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission from 2007-2008 and as a member of the Florida Board of Regents from 1977-1979. Miller also previously served as Associate Vice President and Dean for Students for the University of South Florida, and as the manager of Minority Business Development and Governmental Relations for Tampa General Hospital. Commissioner Miller was appointed to the HART Board of Directors on on July 30, 2014.

The HART officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors and can serve up three consecutive terms. Commissioner Les Miller and the new officers assumed office as of January 9, 2017.

Thankful in 2016: A HART Year in Review

With 2017 fast approaching, many are looking towards the New Year as a fresh start. However, we at HART are looking to continue building on the successes of the past year. 

2016: Year in Review

One frequent theme for HART throughout 2016 was partnerships.

HARTPlus Customer Choice Program

Back in January, we announced a partnership with Yellow Cab of Tampa Bay and FDOT to provide same-day paratransit service for HARTPlus riders. The HARTPlus Customer Choice pilot program provides riders with quick and convenient service that is available 24 hours a days, seven days a week. The taxi voucher program has provided over 30,000 trips since January!

Keep TBB Farmers Market has expanded to UATC!

Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful Farmers Market

With our on-the-go riders in mind, HART partnered with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful by launching a first-of-its-kind Farmers Market at Netp@rk Transfer Center in February. The market allows transit riders and the general public to choose the healthy option, while not having to deviate from their normal routine.

The market will expand to the University Area Transit Center in 2017!  

Free WiFi on all HART Buses

With our commitment to enhancing the rider experience, HART partnered with UDP Technology to provide FREE WiFi on all HART buses, with vans and streetcars coming in 2017. Since April, HART riders have been able to use free WiFi on board to stream music, check emails, and more!

ESMS Program Certified ISO 14001

The organization's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship was recognized in June, when the HART Environmental Sustainability and Management System (ESMS) was certified ISO 14001. ISO certification is an international standard in environmental management. HART is one of only 13 transit agencies in the United States, and the only one in Florida to reach ISO 14001 certification.

HART was 1st U.S. transit agency to launch OBA trip planner

OneBusAway Tampa Grows

OneBusAway Tampa, the hit HART real-time app that launched in 2013, became a one-stop shop for travel information in July, with the launch of the OneBusAway Trip Planner. Customers can now plan their trip and see how close their bus is in real-time, all via the OneBusAway Tampa app! HART is the first U. S. transit agency to launch the dynamic trip planner feature of OneBusAway and third in the nation to launch OneBusAway.

The dynamic trip planner will notify you via the app if the end time of your selected trip has changed by at least 2 minutes, or if your selected trip plan is no longer recommended.

The service has shattered expectations with 208 million hits in a 12 month period.


Launch of Flamingo Fares App

Download the app today!

With the launch of the Flamingo Fares app in September, riders on both sides of the bay can now purchase a single fare for travel between Hillsborough and Pinellas counties! The Flamingo app allows patrons to book a 3-day unlimited regional pass, valid for 3 consecutive days for only $11! Fare options in the Flamingo Fares app will be expanding in 2017 to include various travel lengths (1-day, 31-day, etc.).

The Flamingo Fares pilot is all part of a larger project to bring smart card technology to HART! The implementation of smart cards (the cards, readers, etc.) will take place in 2018.

Download the app today!

HART HyperLINK

HART HyperLINK, the nation's first transit-operated rideshare service, launched to much fanfare in November! The innovative service extends the footprint of the HART network direct to your doorstep, delivering rides to and from local bus stops for passengers in select areas (Brandon, Carrollwood, and the University/Lutz). HART HyperLINK operates 30 minutes before/after service begins/end within the zone. The cost of the service is $3 per trip + the cost of HART Local, Express, Flex, etc.

HART partnered with international transportation provider TransDev, to roll out the service.

Service Expansion

The core of HART service is still our buses and vans, and in 2016, we were able to expand service by 325,795 miles! This includes the expansion of In-Towner service to Saturdays and a host of Local route enhancements. HART also continues to make investments in our fleet with a transition to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and vans.

Not a bad year, eh? 2017 looks to be even better as HART takes Hillsborough County transportation Beyond the Bus!