An Open Letter from HART ICEO to HART Employees

On this Labor Day, HART celebrates the contribution of all employees whose work epitomizes our Vision: to invite, inspire, and implement sustainable and innovative transportation.

As transit agencies work to adapt to the changes brought on by COVID-19, the public transportation industry continues to maintain operations, deliver essential services, and protect and serve the public, while at the same time innovating to safeguard employees and riders. 

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, HART, along with other public transit agencies across the country, has once again proven to be an essential service.  It continues to provide a vital lifeline to the community.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, when the community was closing, all HART employees continued to operate behind the scenes and on the road to deliver our services.  From operations to administration, your commitment to excellence has continued to keep Hillsborough County on the move. 

Thank you for your dedication to HART and the community we serve. HEROES work here.

HART COVID UPDATE: Bus Operator Tests Positive for COVID

 

HART has received confirmation that another bus operator has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The bus operator's last days and routes worked are the following:

• Route(s) 19, 33, and 36 from 5:30 AM - 3:42 PM on both August 27 and August 28

This brings the total number of cases of HART employees testing positive for the coronavirus to 51 – including 23 bus operators, 5 van operators, 2 streetcar motorperson, and 21 other employees.

All individuals are entitled to medical and health privacies and HART maintains the security of employees’ confidentiality. We respectfully ask media to honor all HART employees’ privacy.

For the safety of everyone on board, following the City of Tampa Executive Order 2020-27 (effective Friday, June 19, 2020 at 5:00 PM) and Hillsborough County Executive Order (effective Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 5:00 PM), riders are required to wear a cloth face covering over their mouth and nose when in public and on transit, as recommended by the CDC. HART is providing face coverings to customers at transit centers, while supplies last. Face coverings can also be made from household items, including handkerchiefs, bandanas, or scarves. This is to protect people around you if you are infected but do not have symptoms, and is not a substitute for social distancing. 

HART is committed to the safety of all our employees and riders. In accordance with CDC guidelines as well as local and state health departments, HART has taken the following steps to help reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• HART continues to disinfect the fleet, transit centers, amenities and work areas - daily.
• HART is testing ALL employees for COVID-19.
• HART is communicating with all employees and customers to practice CDC recommended good hygiene and social distancing.
• HART is providing gloves, hand sanitizer, and face masks to frontline employees. Safety shields on fixed route vehicles provide a barrier to reduce contact.
• HART is running a temporary reduction of hours for transit service for essential trips. HART is following a modified-Sunday schedule with weekday service on highest ridership routes to alleviate overcrowding. HART is asking customers to limit travel to essential trips only.
• The bus destination signs on the outside of all HART buses display “Masks Required” and “Essential Trips Only.”
• Audio announcements and on-board seat signage have been installed to encourage staggered seating among riders and that masks are required.
• The first row of seats nearest to the front door is closed off to maintain additional distance between riders and the operator (but is still available for customer with disabilities that have mobility devices). HART has seen reduced ridership which provides the benefit of creating more space.
• HART operators are continually notified to contact the HART Operations Control Center (OCC) immediately to report if their transit vehicle is too crowded or other potential COVID-19 safety concerns. Responses may involve dispatching appropriate personnel, contacting emergency services, sending a swap vehicle, or sending a plug bus along the route.
• HART is offering alternative work schedules if the job function allows the employee to do the following: flexible/staggered work schedules, reduced work schedules and remote working.

While we remain committed to serving those who serve us, HART asks customers and employees to exercise personal responsibility and follow the CDC recommended guidelines.

Thank you for your cooperation.

HART Seeks Input on Proposed 2021 Service Modifications

HART is proposing service modifications, including route removal, throughout the network in early 2021 and is gathering feedback on the plan. HART is proposing the modifications to align demand, improve safety and efficiency, and preserve funding.

HART is holding feedback sessions virtually and in-person at transit and transfer centers with COVID safety measures in place over the next two weeks. 

Virtual Town Halls featuring a walkthrough of the plan and a Q & A session are being held in both English and Spanish. The next Virtual Town Halls are:

• English - Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at 10 AM and 2 PM
• Spanish - Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 10 AM and 2 PM

Participants are asked to register in advance of the Town Halls.

Summary of Proposed 2021 Service Modifications:

• Minor Route Adjustments - Routes 5, 7, 8, 42, 45, 48
• Substantive Modifications - Routes 10, 14, 38, 48 
• Reduce Frequency - Routes 1, 6, 24LX, 33, 34, 46, 400
• Remove Service - Routes 20X, 35*, 60LX**, 75LX, 275LX***, HARTFlex Brandon, South County, Northdale**, South Tampa, Town 'N Country

*fully replaced by existing route; **partially merged into existing routes; ***partially replaced by new routes.

A public hearing on the Proposed 2021 Service Modifications will take place in October.

"HART staff has taken the first step in creating a plan that we believe aligns our service with demand and continues providing essential service to Hillsborough County," said Interim HART CEO Carolyn House Stewart. "We are now rolling out an extensive outreach campaign to take this plan to the public as it is HART's duty to listen and be responsive to customer needs."

Visit HARTServiceInput.com to view the proposal and outreach opportunities, take a short survey, and submit feedback.

Transit Advocate Tyler Hudson Appointed to the HART Board of Directors

Tyler Hudson

Local transit advocate Tyler Hudson has been appointed to the HART Board of Directors by City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. Mr. Hudson will replace the previous City of Tampa Appointee Kathleen Shanahan who resigned earlier this summer.

"We welcome Tyler Hudson to the HART Board of Directors and I look forward to working with him," said HART Interim CEO Carolyn House Stewart. "With his background as Chairman of All for Transportation which voters overwhelmingly supported, I’m certain Hudson will be a strong transportation advocate and a voice for the City of Tampa’s interests. 

“We could not be more thrilled to have Tyler Hudson join the HART board. His unwavering commitment to transform Tampa’s transportation future will serve both the board and our community well,” said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. 

Tyler is a partner with the Tampa law firm Gardner Brewer Martinez-Monfort, P.A. and practices in the areas of real estate, land use and zoning, and general business counseling.

Prior to joining Gardner Brewer Martinez-Monfort Law, Tyler was an associate at Holland & Knight LLP from 2013 to 2018, where he practiced in both the corporate and real estate transactional groups of the firm’s Tampa office. 

For three years prior to starting law school, Tyler was a principal with Hilltop Public Solutions, a public affairs firm in Washington, D.C. At Hilltop, he managed integrated government relations campaigns for multinational corporations and trade associations in the aviation, pharmaceutical and reinsurance industries. Additionally, Tyler advised and on worked on several political campaigns in the areas of speechwriting, message development, debate preparation and field organizing.

“I am pleased to welcome Tyler Hudson to the HART Board of Directors. Mayor Castor and Tampa City Council have made a strong choice," said Mariella Smith, Chair of the HART Board. "Mr. Hudson is an advocate for better transit in Hillsborough County. His work with the All for Transportation effort brings a perspective on the transportation needs of our citizens throughout the county. He also brings his experience in land use and business to the Board. I know this experience and advocacy will make him a strong asset to HART."

In 2018, Mr. Hudson co-founded All for Transportation, the historic citizen-led campaign to fund county transportation improvements. The successful campaign collected over 77,000 citizen petitions, raised over $4 million, and passed with 57% of the vote.

Mr. Hudson obtained his B.A. in Philosophy from the George Washington University and his law degree from the University of Florida.

Outside the office, Mr. Hudson devotes time to a range of civic and philanthropic activities. Mr. Hudson and his wife Grace live in historic Tampa Heights with their two children and one yellow lab.

Mr. Hudson will attend the next scheduled HART Board of Directors meeting on September 14, 2020.

It's ELECTRIC ⚡: HART Awarded $2.7 Million for Electric Buses

Proterra, Inc. held an electric bus demonstration in downtown Tampa in 2018

HART has been awarded a $2.7 million Bus and Bus Facilities grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). This federal funding will allow HART to purchase up to four electric buses and supporting infrastructure to help further reduce the organization's carbon footprint.

As part of the grant award, TECO is has committed to working with HART to provide 50% of HART’s match for infrastructure to ensure the project is successful as a participant in this funding opportunity.

“HART will continue to seek opportunities to enhance our ability to improve access, mobility, and reliable, safe transportation for the patrons who depend upon our service. In these unprecedented times, it is even more important to deliver innovative transportation options, reduce the carbon footprint and make improvements to our fleet,” said ICEO Carolyn House Stewart. “Again, we offer our sincerest thanks to you, Congresswoman Kathy Castor, the entire Congressional Delegation, and TECO Energy for your leadership, support and partnership.”

HART has been working to replace its diesel engine buses as part of a mission to reduce air pollution in the greater Tampa Bay region.

Battery Electric Buses are known for zero-emission, quiet operation and better acceleration for a more comfortable ride.

Since 2016, HART has reduced its carbon footprint over 22% primarily by shifting from diesel to Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles. Hart will continue to reduce its inventory of diesel-fueled vehicles over the next few years by transitioning to electric buses as funding such as this becomes available.

“I am very grateful to Congresswoman Kathy Castor, and to HART staff, for all their hard work to secure this funding for HART. This grant couldn’t have come at a more advantageous time. Switching to a new technology will create more skilled jobs — right here in our community. Reducing our carbon footprint is very important to the future of the Tampa Bay area. And these new zero-emission electric buses will make our air cleaner — and that makes a big difference in the quality of life for so many in our community — whether they ride the bus or not. When we roll out these buses, I know our riders will be proud to say that they have one of the cleanest commutes in Hillsborough County,” said HART Board Chair Mariella Smith.

“I am pleased that the Federal Transit Administration has awarded funds to the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART),” said U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (FL). “The services provided by HART are essential to the everyday lives of many in the Hillsborough community, and this grant will greatly improve those services and lessen their impact on the local environment.”

HART is fortunate to have strong partners within its Congressional Delegation and is grateful for their unwavering support.

Watch media announcement

HART Announces Frequency Restoration on Select Routes

Effective Sunday, August 9, 2020, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) will restore frequency on select higher-ridership routes to the current COVID-19 Modified Sunday Service level the agency has been operating since April 2020.

Local Bus Service:

• Regular weekday schedule restored for Routes 1, 6, 12, 34 and 400
• Represents a restoration to 68% of service overall from pre-COVID levels.
• Route 31: Regular schedule (Monday through Friday only)
• All other Local Routes: Sunday schedule, 7 days a week

Express and Limited Express Bus Service:

• Routes 20X, 24LX, 60LX and 75LX: No service
• Routes 275LX: Regular schedule, operating ONLY between Wiregrass Park-n-Ride and University Area Transit Center
• Route 360LX: Operating normal schedule, Monday thru Saturday. Only operating between Britton Plaza and South Tampa on Sunday

HARTFlex:

• No service

TECO Line Streetcar Service:

• Monday through Friday 7 AM - 11 PM
• Saturday and Sunday 8:30 AM - 11 PM
• Service operates every 15 minutes

 

HARTPlus Paratransit Service:

• Continued operation based on local route level of operation and span of service

Through June 2020, fiscal year 2021 monthly ridership for all modes has decreased from fiscal year 2020 by around 60% due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

HART's approach to route schedules remains fluid and responsive.

HART continues to disinfect daily, require face coverings onboard and staggered seating. Public transportation is an essential service - our Operators, Customer Service Representatives, and all HART employees are the heroes moving heroes. We thank everyone in Hillsborough County for helping keep our bus, van, and streetcar operators safe by continuing to limit travel to essential trips only.

Visit www.gohart.org for the latest service information or call Customer Service at 813-254-4278.

HART COVID UPDATE: Two Bus Operators Among the Latest Employees to Test Positive

HART has received confirmation that two additional bus operators and a non-public facing employee have tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The bus operator's last days and routes worked are the following:

• Route 6 (56th St) - July 14, 2020

One of the operators did not work in the last 14 days.

This brings the total number of cases of HART employees testing positive for the coronavirus to 49 – including 21 bus operators, 5 van operators, 2 streetcar motorperson, and 21 other employees.

All individuals are entitled to medical and health privacies and HART maintains the security of employees’ confidentiality. We respectfully ask media to honor all HART employees’ privacy.

For the safety of everyone on board, following the City of Tampa Executive Order 2020-27 (effective Friday, June 19, 2020 at 5:00 PM) and Hillsborough County Executive Order (effective Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 5:00 PM), riders are required to wear a cloth face covering over their mouth and nose when in public and on transit, as recommended by the CDC. HART is providing face coverings to customers at transit centers, while supplies last. Face coverings can also be made from household items, including handkerchiefs, bandanas, or scarves. This is to protect people around you if you are infected but do not have symptoms, and is not a substitute for social distancing. 

HART is committed to the safety of all our employees and riders. In accordance with CDC guidelines as well as local and state health departments, HART has taken the following steps to help reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• HART continues to disinfect the fleet, transit centers, amenities and work areas - daily.
• HART is testing ALL employees for COVID-19.
• HART is communicating with all employees and customers to practice CDC recommended good hygiene and social distancing.
• HART is providing gloves, hand sanitizer, and face masks to frontline employees. Safety shields on fixed route vehicles provide a barrier to reduce contact.
• HART is running a temporary reduction of hours for transit service for essential trips. HART is following a modified-Sunday schedule. HART is asking customers to limit travel to essential trips only.
• Buses have been added on certain high-ridership routes daily to prevent overcrowding while staggered seating is recommended. Additional plug buses hold at certain key locations for immediate action to supplement other routes, so that riders are not left stranded.
• The bus destination signs on the outside of all HART buses display “Masks Required” and “Essential Trips Only.”
• Audio announcements and on-board seat signage have been installed to encourage staggered seating among riders and that masks are required.
• The first row of seats nearest to the front door is closed off to maintain additional distance between riders and the operator (but is still available for customer with disabilities that have mobility devices). HART has seen reduced ridership which provides the benefit of creating more space.
• HART operators are continually notified to contact the HART Operations Control Center (OCC) immediately to report if their transit vehicle is too crowded or other potential COVID-19 safety concerns. Responses may involve dispatching appropriate personnel, contacting emergency services, sending a swap vehicle, or sending a plug bus along the route.
• HART is offering alternative work schedules if the job function allows the employee to do the following: flexible/staggered work schedules, reduced work schedules and remote working.

While we remain committed to serving those who serve us, HART asks customers and employees to exercise personal responsibility and follow the CDC recommended guidelines.

Thank you for your cooperation.