BOCC Appoints Two New Board Members; Reappoints One

Please join HART staff in welcoming Gary Hartfield and John King Jr. as newly-appointed HART Board members, representing Hillsborough County. We are also excited to announce that Director Marvin Knight was reappointed for another term and will continue his tenure on the Board.

Gary T. Hartfield is an award-winning serial entrepreneur, leader, author, and philanthropist. He is the president and CEO of six Residential Group Homes throughout Florida, delivering personalized and therapeutic healthcare services for the elderly and developmentally disabled. Gary is also the founder and CEO of Serenity Village Insurance & Consulting, a full-service agency providing insurance solutions to clients throughout Florida and Georgia. Mr. Hartfield's key business roles and accomplishments extend to the nonprofit realm, where he serves as the CEO and Chairman of Empower Florida, Inc., an association representing the needs of more than 20,000 business owners who serve the intellectually and developmentally disabled throughout Florida. He also serves on multiple boards and councils, including the Tampa Bay Chamber, Career Source Tampa Bay, the CEO Council, the Nonprofit Leadership Center, The Skills Center, Live Tampa Bay, and the Tampa Organization of Black Affairs.

Gary T. Hartfield

John King, Jr., is a native Floridian and resided in Hillsborough County since 2008. Mr. King graduated from Florida State University and retired from the United States Navy after serving for 22 years as a military intelligence officer. Prior to his military service, Mr. King worked as a risk management consultant for MG Consulting in Atlanta, Georgia, restructuring Commercial General Liability, and Commercial Property and Casualty loss portfolios and reinsurance contracts. Mr. King currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Carrollwood Village Homeowners Association. Mr. King is a former aide to Congressman Charles E. Bennett of Florida.

John King, Jr.

Marvin Knight, a current HART Board member, has been reappointed for his third term on the HART Board of Directors. Mr. Knight has a degree in electronic technology and computer electronics. Mr. Knight is very active in the community; he is Hillsborough County Honorary Deputy, a member of NAACP, and Freddie Solomon Boys and Girls Club. Marvin Knight has been a member of the HART Finance and Audit, Operations and Safety Committees, and Revenue Alternatives Ad Hoc Committee.

Marvin Knight

We are looking forward to your input and active involvement in support of HART’s mission “to take people to the places that enhance their lives”.

New appointees replace the previous Hillsborough County appointees Rena Frazier and Eric Johnson. HART would like to thank them for their service on the HART Board of Directors and commitment to the Agency during their tenure.

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The HART Board is responsible for setting policy and making decisions for the Authority on matters ranging from system operations, service planning, fare structure, finance, customer service, and is made up of 14 volunteers who are appointed to represent Hillsborough County (seven seats), City of Tampa (four seats), State of Florida (two seats) and City of Temple Terrace (one seat). Officers of the HART Board (chair, vice-chair and secretary) are elected every year.

The TECO Line Streetcar Hits All-Time Annual Ridership Record

The TECO Line Streetcar smashed the all-time annual ridership record in FY2023 (October 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023) with 1,315,103 passenger trips.

It was the highest annual ridership in over 20 years of TECO Line Streetcar service.

The TECO Line Streetcar has broken several monthly ridership records over the past year including the best month in the Streetcar's modern history with 127,863 passenger trips reported in March 2023.

The record ridership is attributed to an increase in frequency to every 12 minutes during peak hours, population growth along the streetcar line, and near-record tourism to Tampa.

"We are elated to be celebrating another year of record ridership on the Streetcar," said Scott Drainville, Interim CEO, Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART). "The success of the Streetcar is a result of our community coming together to invest in public transportation."

The TECO Line Streetcar is a partnership between HART, the City of Tampa, and Tampa Historic Streetcar, Inc. October 2023 marks 21 years since the iconic yellow streetcars returned to Tampa streets.

HART Receives FDOT Grant to Keep the TECO Line Streetcar Fare-Free

Streetcar operating near Centro Ybor in Ybor City

HART is pleased to announce the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has awarded HART a Commuter Assistance grant totaling $700,000. The FDOT grant will permit the TECO Line Streetcar to remain fare-free for an additional year.

The TECO Line Streetcar has routinely broken ridership records since FDOT awarded HART a $2.7 million Innovation Grant in 2018 allowing the Streetcar to go fare-free and expand service - increased frequency and service hours.

"HART is very excited to receive this FDOT grant to keep the TECO Line Streetcar fare-free," said Scott Drainville, Interim HART Chief Executive Officer. "HART appreciates the continued support of Secretary Gwynn and FDOT staff in identifying grant funding for the Streetcar."

In addition to FDOT, the TECO Line Streetcar is funded by the City of Tampa, the Downtown Community Redevelopment Areas (CRAs), and the Tampa Downtown Partnership. HART will work with the partners to hopefully identify funding to keep the Streetcar fare-free for the foreseeable future.

The TECO Line Streetcar System has carried 1,249,511 passenger trips so far in FY2023.

HART Hurricane Idalia Update

 

LATEST HART HURRICANE IDALIA NEWS

HART) is returning to regular weekday service on HART buses (local, limited express), vans (HARTFlex and HARTPlus) and the TECO Line Streetcar on Thursday, August 31, 2023.

Customers should be advised that select trips may be delayed, due to operator staffing level and possible road detours.

The TECO Line Streetcar System will operate from 7 a.m. - 11 p.m.

HART Retail Sales windows at Transit Centers will be open regular hours (6 a.m. - 6 p.m.) and Customer Service is currently closed but will be available Thursday from 5 a.m. - 9 p.m. Customers can call 813-254-4278 with any questions or concerns or to book HARTPlus paratransit reservations.

Riders should continue to monitor HART's In-Transit Blog, Facebook and Twitter or contact the HART InfoLine at 813-254-4278 for the latest service information.

Customers can visit www.goHART.org for maps, schedules and more.

CURRENT SERVICE STATUS - 8.30.23

HART to Suspend All Service on Wednesday, August 30, 2023

For the safety of our riders and employees, the HART plans to cease all bus, van, and streetcar service on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.

With potential overnight impacts to the Tampa Bay area from Hurricane Idalia, HART staff will spend Wednesday conducting damage assessment, moving buses back to the Operations Center from higher ground, checking routes for debris, etc.

Riders should continue to monitor HART's In-Transit Blog, Facebook and Twitter or contact the HART InfoLine at 813-254-4278 for the latest service information. Customer Service Centers are CLOSED on Tuesday.

HART Hosts First Pathways to Business Expo!

Prospective businesses network with local government agencies

Networking

HART DBE/SBE staff hosted the first Pathways to Business Expo on August 17, 2023, at the C. Blythe Andrews Library. This event was held in an effort to connect small and disadvantaged businesses within the Tampa Bay Area with the information and resources needed to do business with government agencies. 

Staff was on hand to help small businesses register to do business with HART. Small businesses were able to network with other local government agencies that can help with DBE & SBE certifications, help find small business loans, offer training on completing bid proposals and help with finding contract opportunities with local and federal government entities.

Comm. Gwen Myers

Forty-three prospective businesses attended the expo, along with special guest Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Myers and community leader Marvin Knight. Prospective businesses met with 16 representatives as they networked and learned about current opportunities. Participants could get their passport card stamped at each table for a chance at a drawing for a gift card. Brocato’s Sandwich Shop, which is a small minority-owned business, provided bagged lunches for all participants and vendors and donated (20) $15.00 gift cards for the raffle.

HART’s ICEO Mr. Scott Drainville was in attendance and gave a warm welcome to the participants and vendors in attendance. 

St. Pete Office of Supplier Diversity

Pathways to Business Expo Participant List:

• HART (procurement, facility maintenance, asset management, marketing, project management)
  
• Tampa International Airport
• Hillsborough County (Minority, Women, & Small Business Certification)
• Hillsborough County Department of Procurement
• City of Tampa Equal Business Opportunity
• Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce
• Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) @ USF
• Pinellas County SBDC
• City of St. Petersburg SBE Program
• Hillsborough SBDC
• Prospera (Advancing Hispanic Business)

Thanks to everyone for joining us! 

Interested in working with HART? View current HART opportunities.

HART to Implement Service Changes on Sunday, August 20, 2023

HART is implementing service changes to several HART routes on Sunday, August 20, 2023, to improve efficiency and the customer experience.

Minor Schedule Changes: Routes 10,16, 30

• Minor time point changes

Minor Route Changes: Routes 12, 30

• Route 12 detour (routing to serve Encore better) will become permanent
• Route 30 detour (new weekday travel pattern due to Westshore Social Security office closure) will become permanent

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

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.