Lyft Partners with HART to Challenge Tampa Residents to Ditch Their Cars!

HART has partnered with Lyft to challenge Tampa residents to ditch their cars!

Ridesharing has already changed the way Americans depend on owning a car and how we get around cities – but now it’s time to take an even bolder step toward creating a new future of mobility. Today, Lyft is announcing Ditch Your Car, a program in Tampa offering residents nearly $500 of transportation credit to give up their cars for 30 days from Oct. 8 to Nov. 6 in favor of getting around town via Lyft rides, Zipcar and the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART).

Starting September 26, Tampa residents will be able to register at ditchwithlyft.com/Tampa for the opportunity to receive credit towards Lyft, HART and Zipcar. Enter by 2:59 a.m. October 1, 2018 to be eligible.

"The way that people move around cities is changing faster than ever, and we are excited to challenge Tampa residents to change their everyday habits and give up their car for a month,” said Sam Cohen, General Manager for Lyft Florida. “Lyft alone is not the overall solution to overcome transportation hurdles, but by partnering with HART and Zipcar we are able to create mobility options for Tampa residents.”

“The Lyft and HART partnership is reflective of the changing mobility landscape and how transit agencies can adopt new technology to enhance the travel experience for Tampa residents throughout the city,” said HART Interim CEO, Jeff Seward. “We are always exploring innovative methods to improve service and transport customers throughout the region more efficiently and effectively.”

“Every day, more and more people ditch their personal cars in Tampa and instead use a range of mobility options to get around from car sharing to ride hailing,” said Smokey West, Zipcar Regional General Manager, Mid-Atlantic/Southeast. “We’re excited to join Lyft in this fun 30-day challenge that’ll encourage even more Tampa residents to go car-free. At Zipcar, we’re big fans of any effort to make it easier to live without a personal car.”

Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up here for a chance to be 1 of 50 lucky winners to participate in Ditch Your Car.
2. Once chosen for the challenge, you’ll receive an email with the details of the program — including transportation credits!
3. Transportation credits include:a.  Lyft credit (valued at $300)
   b.  Zipcar one month membership & application (valued at $32) + $100 drive credit
   c.  One month Flamingo pass including HART bus and TECO Line Streetcar System (valued at $65).
4. The Challenge starts October 8 and ends November 6.

Since day one, Lyft believed cities should be built around people, not cars or parking lots. Using a mix of multi-modal options, it’s possible to rework cities and ditch personal cars. Lyft is committed to being a part of the solution to reduce congestion, carbon footprint and the pain points of personal car ownership in Tamp.

The HART MVP Express Launches November 11!

The MVP Express launches Nov. 11!

Be the MVP of your tailgate on the HART MVP Express!

Launching November 11, 2018, the HART MVP Express takes you closer to the action with round-trip shuttle service to Tampa Bay Buccaneers games.

The MVP Express will serve the following Tampa Bay Buccaneers games:

• 11/11/18 - vs. Washington Redskins
• 11/25/18 - vs. San Francisco 49ers
• 12/02/18 - vs. Carolina Panthers
• 12/09/18 - vs. New Orleans Saints
• 12/30/18 - vs. Atlanta Falcons

How the MVP Express Works   

Before the game
 
HART MVP Express service is just $10 round-trip and begins at 10:30 a.m. for 1:00 p.m. kickoffs and three hours ahead of all other kickoffs.  

Fans can park at four convenient locations (open beginning at 10:00 a.m.) around Hillsborough County:

• Plant High School - South Tampa - 2415 S. Himes Ave.
• King High School - Temple Terrace - N. 56th St. and Sligh Ave.
• Alonso High School - Town 'N Country - 8302 Montague St.
• Westshore Transfer Center - Westshore Blvd., south of Spruce St.

Parking sites will open at 10:00 AM. MVPs will be dropped off and picked up at the West Tampa Transfer Center, located across the street from Raymond James Stadium.

After the game

Return service begins in the fourth quarter and continues for two hours after game end.

Fans can now park, gather together at meeting points across Hillsborough County, and travel to and from the game together in a hassle-free environment.

This relaxing and fun trip provides fans the opportunity to participate in all of the gameday festivities – without the frustrations of driving and game traffic.

Things to Know:

• Fans using the HART MVP Express must follow the NFL bag policy and only bring clear, see-through bags (12” x 6” x 12” max) to the game. Belongings cannot be stored on the shuttle during the game.
• HART is piloting this shuttle service to gauge interest in long-term service. The MVP Express could possibly expand to serve other sporting events including the Tampa Bay Lightning, The Outback Bowl, Super Bowl, etc.

Tackle gameday traffic with the MVP Express! Go Bucs!

The TECO Line Streetcar is Now Fare Free!

The TECO Line Streetcar will soon be fare free

The TECO Line Streetcar System is now fare free!

HART has been awarded $2.7 million in grant funding from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) that will support extending TECO Line Streetcar service hours, increasing frequency, and providing free rides to customers for the next three years.

"We want to first thank FDOT District Seven Secretary David Gwynn and his team for their continued support of HART. This funding will be a major step forward for HART to be able to continue delivering essential TECO Line Streetcar service for the City of Tampa," said HART Interim CEO, Jeff Seward. "Enhanced streetcar service will better connect downtown Tampa and historic Ybor City, giving residents and tourists another commuter option, as they travel around downtown for business or leisure." 

Streetcar service effective October 07, 2018

On October 7, 2018, the $2.7 million grant allowed HART to increase Streetcar service from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes from 7 AM - 7 PM on weekdays and provide extended service hours throughout the week. The increased streetcar service will improve mobility and access by affording residents access to additional job opportunities, and provide enhanced connectivity in downtown, the Channel District, and Ybor City.

The enhanced streetcar service will accomplish multiple goals; however, the primary objective is to add another mobility and connectivity option for residents, employees, and visitors in downtown Tampa and the city at large. With planned extensions, the Streetcar will also create a vital connection between downtown and neighborhoods and further spread the vibrancy and development that is currently being seen in the downtown area. The Streetcar Extension Study from Downtown Tampa to Tampa Heights, also funded by FDOT, is currently in project development to pursue federal funding.

"This grant funding gives the TECO Line Streetcar System the opportunity to be a more viable transportation option for residents and tourists in Tampa. As wait lists for downtown parking increase, and Water Street construction gets underway, the TECO Line Streetcar becomes an invaluable travel option for those living and working in downtown and historic Ybor City. This could be a game changer for transportation in downtown Tampa." said Tampa Historic Streetcar, Inc. (THS) President Michael English.

The FDOT grant will help boost ridership and increase efficiency of the TECO Line Streetcar System, providing greater opportunity for the Authority to provide a commuter service that meets the growing needs of Tampa's downtown community.

I Ride with HART: Erma Jackson

Ms. Erma Jackson and a HART operator

HART carries thousands of passengers every week around Hillsborough County, and within all of those rides are countless stories to tell. Every month, HART will share our customers' accounts and what makes HART a significant part of our community.

"We want to thank everyone like Ms. Jackson, who took the time to share with us how important the transit system is to their daily lives," said HART Interim CEO Jeff Seward.

"These stories illustrate what an important role public transportation plays in taking people to work, school, medical appointments, grocery shopping, and so much more."

See how HART is making a difference in our customers' everyday lives.

For Ms. Erma Jackson, a HART bus keeps her connected to everything that is going on around her.

The bus stop near her ENCORE! Apartment building helps Ms. Jackson enjoy an active lifestyle. She depends on HART to take her to church, the grocery store, medical appointments, favorite restaurants and to see family and friends. Look for her on routes 1, 5, 9 12, 30 and MetroRapid. HART is her lifeline to the outside world.

"My gosh, I go everywhere. I take the bus to all of my appointments and shopping and anywhere I want to go," said Ms. Jackson. "It's been enjoyable. I meet lots of people, and I know a lot of the HART Bus drivers."

For more than 38 years, rain or shine, Ms. Jackson has relied on HART to take her all over the Tampa Bay area. Today, at the sweet age of 72 years young, Ms. Jackson encourages her friends and quite honestly everyone she meets to take a ride on a HART bus. Anyone that knows her Lately, she's been riding the bus for hours with a friend who suffered a stroke. They hop on a HART bus enjoy the sights and then stop somewhere to eat. Riding on the bus and meeting people has helped her friend in his recovery, she said.

Ms. Jackson also rides HART because it is the best financial choice for getting everywhere she needs to go. She truly appreciates the senior discount, since she lives on a modest income.

OneBusAway Tampa app provides comfort when traveling

When the OneBusAway Tampa application was released, Ms. Jackson was thrilled. She had just gotten a smartphone and had attended a OneBusAway outreach event where HART staff was educating customers about the new application. She admits at first, it was hard to understand, but now it has become her trusted tool.

The OneBusAway app has been the perfect addition to her transit journey. She says for her, the best thing about the app is that it gives her a sense of comfort. She knows when the bus will be arriving, and it has always been accurate for her.

Ms. Jackson enjoys the community feel to public transit. "You see different people every day, a different group of people every day," along with familiar faces she has come to know on a first-name basis. "Public transportation gets you out of your bubble."

She is grateful to have reliable transportation. Transit gives her independence and that is why she rides with HART.

Employees to Vote for Art on HART!

With beautiful murals popping up on the sides of Tampa Bay businesses, warehouses, etc., HART and the Tampa Bay Foundation for Architecture & Design (TBFAD) saw a great opportunity to provide a talented local artist with a unique (and mobile) canvas - a bus!

TBFAD put out a call for local artists to provide artwork to be wrapped around a bus for an entire year. After narrowing the list to three "finalists," HART employees are now being given the opportunity to vote for their favorite artwork.

Public transportation and art are sewn into the fabric of communities across the world. HART and TBFAD hope this collaboration can forge future opportunities to further marry the local art scene with local transit and promote artistic expression throughout Hillsborough County.

All three Tampa Bay area artists, whose exceptional designs captured the theme of "Tampa culture," earned the chance to have their designs showcased.

The winner will have their bus canvas publicly unveiled in the coming weeks.

HART and TBFAD are excited to have the opportunity to showcase a local artist and transform an ordinary bus into an extraordinary mobile work of art!

Stay tuned.

Art Wrap Entries:

Entry #1 - Carlos "Zulu Painter" Culbertson

Entry #2 - Michelle Sawyer and Tony Krol

Entry #3 - Michael O' Connell

HART Recognizes Safe Operators with "Million Mile" Awards!

Imagine driving a million miles - 40 times around the earth's circumference - without a preventable accident. Now imagine accomplishing such a feat as the driver of a 40-foot bus!

Thirteen HART operators, joined by their families, were recognized on Tuesday, July 31, during the Authority's Third Annual HART Million Mile Safe Driver Awards Luncheon in honor of those who achieved outstanding safety milestones in safe driving and service.

How far is a million miles? It is like driving 769 one-way trips - from Tampa to New York City.

"In today's driving conditions these operators have accomplished something that demonstrates their high level of safety consciousness and commitment to the safety of their passengers, fellow motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists," said HART Interim CEO Jeff Seward. "We congratulate these accomplished bus operators and thank them for their hard work and dedication. These elite men and women consistently demonstrate advanced skills and concentration levels to achieve the Million Miler status."

One could travel to the moon and back twice before reaching a million miles, yet 11 HART Bus Operators achieved this well within earth's atmosphere. Driving 14 consecutive years without a preventable accident, the Authority's newest Million Mile operators are Kenneth Beach, Rufus Blake, Theresa Briseneau, Tito Goicochea, Marc Henry, Dinesta McBride, Henry Morales, Gustavo Pachon, Jimmy Suarez, Bridget Williams, and Tyran Williams.

"HART's Million Mile Safe Driver Awards program allows executive leadership and management to recognize and honor those who have served the public in a safe and customer-centric manner," said Chief Administrative Officer and Interim Chief of Staff Kenyatta Lee. "This is a great opportunity to show our appreciation for the best of the best, who take great care of the Authority's customers and vehicles. "

Two Million Mile Club: Cosme Garcia (left); Tony Hernandez (right)

HART bus operators Cosme Garcia and Tony Hernandez join the prestigious two million mile club. In the world of a HART bus operator, this incredible achievement equates to 27 years of driving a bus without having a preventable accident.

When asked what it requires to drive so many miles without a preventable accident, two million miler Operator Cosme Garcia said that it is a great accomplishment. "You see others achieve it and you strive for it. As a driver, you appreciate this perhaps more than others might, just by witnessing all the incidents that take place on the road. The key to safety is not only to be focused on your actions but also be observant of other's actions to ensure nothing happens," he said. 

Congrats to all of our Million Milers!