HART Needs Input on Proposed Program of Projects for FY2023

HART receives federal funding annually through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) which is used for operating expenses and capital projects. HART staff has developed a proposed FY 2023 Program of Projects (POP) to utilize this funding. 

A Public Hearing is scheduled for June 1, 2023, from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM; 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM at the Marion Transit Center (1211 N Marion St, Tampa, FL 33602) to give individuals and/or groups the opportunity to present their views and comments regarding HART’s proposed application for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Urbanized Area formula funds.

The public may also provide comment via:

• HART Website - Comments/Suggestions
• Mobile - OneBusAway Tampa app
• Mail - HART, attention to Community Engagement, 1201 E. 7th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605
• Phone - HART Customer Service (813) 254-4278

HART welcomes all comments on or before June 1, 2023. 

If no material changes are made, this will be the final HART Program of Projects for FY 2023.

HART to Implement Service Changes on Sunday, May 14, 2023

HART is implementing service changes to several HART routes on Sunday, May 14, 2023, to improve the customer experience.

The biggest change in service will be the introduction of HARTFlex to three new areas - Port Tampa (replacing Route 17), East Fletcher (replacing the Hidden River portion of Route 33), and Brandon (replacing the Route 46). Initially, the services will operate like a normal fixed-route service, but in the near future (most likely the end of summer), HARTFlex customers will be able to book via an app (like Uber/Lyft) on-demand HART stop to stop trips. The ultimate goal will be to provide the ability for point-to-point trips within the zone!

New HARTFlex Service

• HARTFlex Port Tampa (former Route 17)
• HARTFlex East Fletcher (former Route 33 - Hidden River portion)
• HARTFlex Brandon (former Route 46)

Minor Route and Schedule Changes

• Route 7
• Route 32
• Route 45
• Route 360LX
• HARTFlex South County

Service with Only Schedule Changes

• Route 1
• Route 5 (improved frequency)
• Route 6
• Route 10
• Route 12
• Route 16
• Route 19 (improved frequency)
• Route 32 (improved frequency)
• Route 33
• Route 34
• Route 36
• Route 39
• Route 42
• Route 45
• Route 400 (MetroRapid)

HART customers can visit goHART.org to view the service changes or contact Customer Service at (813) 254-4278 for more information.

HART Board Statement on Action to End CEO Le Grand's Employment

HART Board Statement on Tuesday's board action to end CEO Adelee Le Grand's employment:

“In light of the agreement between the HART Board and CEO Adelee Le Grand to end her employment with HART effective May 2, 2023, we welcome the closure that Tuesday's settlement brings. We remain committed to transparency and exceeding the expectations of taxpayers who fund our mission.  

HART can now move forward to continue to focus on the outstanding 800+ hard-working men and women throughout the agency as well as the thousands that rely on them and our service daily."

HART Board Statement on the Vote to Suspend HART CEO Adelee Le Grand with Pay

Official statement of the HART Board regarding the board action on Monday, March 27, 2023, to suspend HART CEO Adelee Le Grand with pay:

"The HART Board voted on Monday to suspend CEO Adelee Le Grand with pay following the final report of the investigative attorney David Adams. The Board is expected to make a decision on Ms. Le Grand’s future with the agency at a special board meeting to be determined in the near future. We remain as a Board committed to transparency and the expectations of taxpayers who fund our mission.  In the meantime, Scott Drainville, Chief of Maintenance and Transportation, has been named as Interim CEO.

Despite our current circumstances, HART remains fully committed to our mission.  And we remain committed to the hard-working men and women who give all they have on the job for our mission."

TECO Line Streetcar Service to Increase Frequency Starting Sunday

Starting this Sunday, March 19, 2023, the TECO Line Streetcar System is increasing peak hour service Friday through Sunday. The TECO Line Streetcar currently operates every 15 minutes. However, starting on Sunday, service frequency increases to every 12 minutes during peak hours to accommodate the large, standing-room-only crowds the Streetcar experiences on the weekends. The Streetcar continues to break ridership records and carried over a million riders in FY2022. The new enhanced streetcar service will be effective Friday through Sunday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. The enhanced streetcar service is possible thanks to increased funding from the Downtown, Channel District and Ybor City Community Redevelopment Areas (CRAs) and the Tampa Downtown Partnership. "The TECO Line Streetcar continues to show what an investment in public transportation can provide with enhanced connectivity in the area and increased foot traffic to businesses," said Tampa Historic Streetcar, Inc. President Michael English. "The TECO Line Streetcar provides a viable transportation alternative for residents, workers and visitors in downtown and historic Ybor City". The TECO Line Streetcar System operating hours beginning Sunday, March 19, 2023: Monday - Thursday: 7 a.m. - 11 p.m., every 15 minutes Friday: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., every 15 minutes 1 p.m. - 9 p.m., every 12 minutes 9 p.m. - 2 a.m., every 15 minutes Saturday: 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., every 15 minutes 1 p.m. - 9 p.m., every 12 minutes 9 p.m. - 2 a.m., every 15 minutes Sunday: 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., every 15 minutes 1 p.m. - 9 p.m., every 12 minutes 9 p.m. - 11 p.m., every 15 minutes The TECO Line Streetcar is an agreement between HART, the City of Tampa, and Tampa Historic Streetcar, Inc. and includes the Florida Department of Transportation, the Downtown, Channel District, and Ybor City CRAs and the Tampa Downtown Partnership as funding partners. For more information on the TECO Line Streetcar, visit TECOLineStreetcar.org.

 

HART Operators Compete in Tampa Bay Regional Roadeo!

HART, MCAT and PSTA held the annual Regional Roadeo last weekend at PSTA's Operations and Maintenance Facility. Bus operators from HART, MCAT and PSTA showcased their driving skills in various challenges.

Almost 40 operators were judged on a rigid, scored course, consisting of different obstacles. Operators were evaluated on 16 criteria including a pre-trip inspection of their vehicle, uniform compliance, 11 different driving challenges, smoothness of operation, and safety habits - all on a timed course. 

Participants also had to conduct a vehicle inspection to locate pre-set defects that would render the vehicle inoperable and/or unsafe.

HART Bus Operator Crystal Edwards placed #2 out of 37 HART, MCAT and PSTA operators and was among seven HART operators competing in the Roadeo. 

Joining these competitors were employees and vendors from both agencies who volunteered as judges and assessed contestants driving skills, knowledge of safety rules, time performance and maintenance skills. 

HART's first, second and third place winners

Roadeo Results (Among HART operators)

• 1st Place - Crystal Edwards - 2nd place overall
• 2nd Place - Guarionex Falero Ramos
• 3rd Place - Tia Allen

Crystal Edwards now advances to the State Roadeo held in Orlando. Winners from the State competition move on to the APTA International Bus Roadeo.

HART Riders Can Now Pay Via Debit, Credit, Google Pay and Apple Pay!

Tampa Bay transit riders (HART/PSTA/The Bus) can now tap to ride across the region using credit and debit cards, digital wallets (Google Pay or Apple Pay), as well as the Flamingo Fares smartcard or mobile app.

"We are excited to offer our customers another way to pay their fare,” said Adelee Le Grand, Chief Executive Officer, HART. “Contactless payments on Flamingo Fares not only provide our customers with greater ease of access, removing another barrier from riding transit, but also assists in speeding up the boarding process, improving travel times.”

The Flamingo Fares system has fare capping implemented, meaning passengers always receive the lowest price as the system automatically caps prices whenever riders reach the daily or monthly thresholds. Riders using contactless payments (debit/credit/Google Pay/Apple Pay) will be able to take advantage of daily fare capping. 

Please note: Discount fare riders must use their Flamingo Fares smartcard or mobile app to receive the reduced fare. 

Attempts to use the same contactless payment multiple times (multiple riders) upon boarding will result in a failed transaction.

Flamingo Fares Tampa Bay launched in 2020.

To learn more about contactless payments and Flamingo Fares, visit www.FlamingoFares.com