Take HART to Black History!

From Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus, to the "Freedom Rides" throughout the South, public transportation has played a historic role in African American history.

Public transportation also happens to be a great way to visit local African American historic sites in Tampa.

Hop on, as HART Takes You to Black History!

People gather at La Union Mari-Maceo in 1944

Sociedad La Union Mari-Maceo

Just across the street from the HART Administrative Building in Ybor City, is a building which represents the melting pot that is Ybor - Sociedad La Union Marti-Maceo building. The Cuban club was founded by Afro-Cubans in 1900, and served both white and Afro-Cubans excluded from other Cuban and Spanish clubs, until the club was forced to segregate due to local laws. The facility became more than a social club housing events, morphing into a mutual aid society, with self-help activities and a school.

Sociedad La Union Mari-Maceo is located at 1226 East 7th Avenue in Ybor City and is accessible by Route(s) 8,9,12 and the TECO Line Streetcar System.

Central Park

The LIFETILES installation at Perry Harvey Sr. Parl

One of the most culturally and historically rich neighborhoods in Tampa, the area once housed the likes of Ray Charles (he wrote "I found my baby there," in Central Park area,) Jackie Robinson, Ella Fitzgerald, and more! The neighborhood was a vibrant African American business and entertainment district with restaurants and clubs such as the Cotton Club, Apollo Theatre, etc.

"Gateway" Sculptures

The district would later fall into disrepair, due to racial unrest and disruption. However, the Central Park district is now home to Encore! Apartments. Encore! has paid homage to the heritage of the district with a number of public art installations throughout the complex, as well as, at near by Perry Harvey Sr. Park.

The Central Park District and Perry Harvey Sr. Park are located at 900 E Scott St, Tampa, FL 33602, and are accessible via Route(s) 9,12 and MetroRapid. Marion Transit Center is also just a block away.

Black History & Art Museum

Located inside the Paradise Missionary Baptist Church, the Black History & Art Museum is home to hundreds of historical photos, documents, and artifacts.

The museum is located near Perry Harvey Sr. Park, at 1112 East Scott Street. The site is accessible via Route(s) 9,12, and MetroRapid.

Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library

A new Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Library opened in 2014!

Named in honor of Robert W. Saunders, Sr. a civil rights activist and former Field Secretary for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The library is one of just two African-American research libraries in the state of Florida. The library is hosting a number of Black History Month events, such as an "Introduction to African American Genealogy" and a Black Heritage Celebration. A bronze bust of Saunders is featured in the lobby.

The Saunders Library is located 1505 N. Nebraska Ave. and can be reached by Route(s) 9,12, and MetroRapid.

Ft. Homer Hesterly Armory/ the Bryan Glazer Family JCC

Dr. King Jr. speaking at the Ft. Homer Armory

The Bryan Glazer Family JCC was formerly known as the Ft. Homer Hesterly Armory. The building has seen historic figures from Teddy Roosevelt, to JFK grace the hall. On November 19, 1961, a crowd of 4,200 waited out a bomb threat to see Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speak in the hall.

"We are standing on the border of the promised land of integration," Dr. King promised, undeterred by the early bomb threat.

The facility recently underwent substantial renovations, which include a Visual Arts Center, an event center, a food bank, and more.

The Bryan Glazer Family JCC is accessible via Route(s) 14 and 30.

Tampa is full of African American history. Explore it on HART!

Celebrating Black History Month: Pioneers & Innovators of Transportation

HART is proud to celebrate Black History Month by paying tribute to the cultural trailblazers of the past and present as we explore their contributions to advancing transportation. Leaders such as Bessie Coleman, Garrett A. Morgan, Katherine Johnson, Elbert R. Robinson, Gladys West, among others, continue to inspire hope and encourage audiences through their accomplishments in areas including aviation, inventions, railway systems, Global Positioning System (GPS) and mathematics.

Throughout February, Hillsborough County students will have the opportunity to engage in stimulating conversations with HART staff regarding these cultural pioneers and their continuing legacies.

"African American contributions to society are all around us and positively impact our lives daily. Having a recognized time to celebrate accomplishments, perseverance, innovation, and tradition is an opportunity to appreciate, teach and expose others to the rich history of African Americans in the transportation industry," said HART Interim CEO Jeff Seward. "Continuing the conversation of Black legacies and achievements is an honor that HART takes pride in every day."

Garrett A. Morgan invented the first US traffic signal

In support of Black History Month, HART is gearing up for what it hopes will be both an informative and unforgettable HART Black History tour for students at several area schools. For the first time, HART has a fully wrapped uniquely designed bus featuring photos and exciting facts about African American transportation pioneers. HART plans to stage the bus outside of the schools, and the children will have the opportunity to tour the inside, while learning about these innovators impact on transportation. HART team members will be on hand leading the educational trivia contests and providing giveaways.     

The HART Black History tours will take place at the following schools:

• Progress Village Middle Magnet School
• Ferrell Girls Preparatory
• Lomax Elementary Magnet School
• Booker T. Washington Elementary 
• Paul Mort Elementary
• Stewart Middle Magnet

HART routes serve several local African American historical sites

Take HART to Black History

Want to tour local African American historical sites? Hop on HART! Click here for several local historical sites and how to get there on HART.

HART is honored to be able to celebrate the lives of all those who paved the way in transportation during this month's activities in recognition of Black History Month.

The TECO Line Streetcar is Now on OneBusAway Tampa!

See where your streetcar is in real-time

OneBusAway Tampa, the innovative app that brings you HART real-time arrival information, is now even better with the addition of service information for the TECO Line Streetcar System!

Streetcar customers can access OneBusAway Tampa via a smartphone app, mobile browser, text, and a touchtone phone. Click here for instructions on how to use OneBusAway Tampa.

To access streetcar information, use the "search" feature and type in 800, the streetcar's route number.

The OneBusAway Tampa app allows streetcar customers to view real-time travel information by stop and also see where the streetcar is on a live map.

Since its launch, the free app has gained in popularity with HART customers accessing the app nearly 225,000 times per month.

Thanks to OneBusAway, riders save time, effort, and stress, with the reassurance of knowing exactly where their HART bus, and now streetcar, is located!

HART Board Selects Benjamin Limmer as New CEO

The HART selected Benjamin Limmer as the new HART CEO

The HART Board of Directors today voted unanimously to name Benjamin Limmer, AICP, as the Authority's new chief executive officer.  During the regular HART Board of Directors meeting today the Board authorized HART general counsel to begin contract negotiations with Limmer who is currently the Assistant General Manager for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA).

"Benjamin Limmer will bring the experience this County needs to expand service for our fast-growing area," said HART Board Chair Commissioner Lesley "Les" Miller. "Increasing mobility in our County is our basis for a prosperous and sustainable future. Today, we welcome a seasoned transit professional with more than 15 years of experience." 

"We were impressed with his expertise, industry knowledge, and proven leadership," said HART Board Secretary Tampa Councilman Mike Suarez. "The Board is confident he shares our commitment to ensuring HART is providing excellent service to its customers and will take an innovative and collaborative approach to lead the organization."

 

Limmer is a Michigan native who currently serves as the assistant general manager at the MARTA. In addition to his role as the primary advisor to the Authority's GM/CEO on strategic initiatives, development of expansion and service plans, and monitoring of the Authority's overall performance. Limmer leads a team of 200 employees in the areas of MARTA's customer service, external affairs, marketing, policy, planning, and business development. MARTA is the 8th largest transit system in the US.

Before joining MARTA, Limmer held transit leadership positions at the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. and the City of Atlanta, Valley Metro in Phoenix, Arizona and the Regional Transit Authority in Cleveland, Ohio.

Limmer has been recognized as one of Mass Transit Magazine's "40 Under 40." He was also the recipient of the Women's Transportation Seminar, Honorable Ray LaHood "Man of the Year" Award.

HART participated in a rigorous search process to ensure the Authority found the best possible leader to take it forward. Executive search firm Krauthamer & Associates aided HART starting in early November when the Hillsborough County voters approved a 1-cent sales tax for transportation improvements on November 6, 2018.

Limmer replaces interim CEO Jeff Seward who has been serving for well over a year since former CEO Katharine Eagan left the agency to lead the Port Authority of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh area's transit agency.

The board of directors expressed thanks to all of the candidates who were part of the process and who brought a wealth of talent for the board to consider.

Exciting times ahead for HART and Hillsborough County!

HART Schedule Colors Are Changing!

HART blue schedule leaflets are back!

You may have noticed a mix of green and blue route schedules in the racks at HART Customer Service Centers, or on board the bus. Good eye!

HART schedule leaflets transitioned to green in 2017 to promote awareness of Mission MAX, our system network redesign. The vivid green was designed for easy comprehension of a route change.

With a little over a year since the implementation of Mission MAX, the "HART blue" schedules are now available. Implementation will be conducted in phases.

Green schedules: Routes with no recent service changes, will be on display at all HART locations and on buses, while supplies last.

Blue schedules: Routes with recent service changes are now blue.

Be in the know, while on the go!

Contact CustomerService@goHART.org, or call 813-254-4278 with any questions.

I Ride with HART: Andrew Smith

Andrew Smith

Andrew Smith's other car is a bus, but that wasn't always the case.

"I grew up in Carrollwood, and I honestly didn't ride the bus while growing up in Tampa," said Smith during an interview on board the TECO Line Streetcar System. He described the first transit system he experienced many years ago in Atlanta while attending college and how he used it to get everywhere."

Smith, a trim man wearing a white shirt and a navy-blue suit, jokes about how his friends tease him for always being in a suit, became a dedicated bus and streetcar rider about two years ago.

Smith started off commuting just because he wanted to try transit and quickly discovered how much he enjoyed using the alternate mode of transportation. Smith's ride on HART allows him to answer emails, handle client's concerns, read, or take in the scenery. He enjoys not worrying about headaches that come with daily commuter traffic or the wear on his vehicle, plus the reduced time behind the wheel gives Smith family time later on in the day.

"I ride it to work a few times a week, that's kind of where I started, deciding that I was going to ride HART to work one day and now for me, it's trying to balance the schedule with what you need at the end of the day. It'll be a few times a week type of thing for me. Transportation looks different for everyone."

Another aspect of riding HART that Smith enjoys is the fantastic view of Tampa and the social environment on board a bus. He says you experience a city much differently through public transit. Being able to enjoy the view and take it all in makes a difference.

"The view sure is terrific on a HART bus. When you're out from behind the wheel, you can look out the windows beyond gridlock to see people, trees, and the beautiful Tampa skyline. The view inside a HART bus is pretty great too. It's clean and comfortable, with plenty of room to stretch out and breathe. Even better? It's filled with potential friends, professional connections, and neighbors.

When he's not answering a work email or talking to a client, he's getting connected with the community and making new friends. "You get to meet many people, people that you wouldn't normally have the pleasure of meeting. When I was going to work, I found that I would learn a little something about someone and the community they lived in."

Andrew also utilizes the TECO Line Streetcar

The friendly atmosphere on HART buses and the service's dependability came as a pleasant surprise, he said.

Since he started riding HART, Smith feels more relaxed and gets to enjoy all Tampa has to offer. He believes it is another opportunity to promote Tampa, especially to tourist. Every time friends and family are in town; he makes sure that they take HART and the TECO Line Streetcar to get around and experience the city. When you take public transit, you become a part of the city's mission, and he's happy that he's doing his part to reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion.

Smith tries to always lead by example, and his advice to his friends and potential new riders is to give HART and transit a try. Once you become accustomed to riding public transit, the benefits of riding the bus become obvious. He hopes that as we continue to expand that public transportation will act as a catalyst for collaboration between communities.

HART's Continued Commitment to Sustainability

HART Interim CEO Jeff Seward attends 15th International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

HART Interim Chief Executive Officer Jeff Seward is continuing HART’s dialogue in sustainability conversations as he attends the 15th International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.  As the region’s public transportation provider, it is imperative that we fully understand our services’ impact on all legs of the sustainability stool, and how to lessen the impact on the environmental leg, while building a strong influence over the cultural, economic and social legs. 

HART Interim CEO Jeff Seward

Mr. Seward has ensured HART’s representation in the sustainability and climate change conversations over the last 5 years by presenting HART’s on-going environmental and climate change mitigation work in academic centric and industry conversations held at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK, University of California, Berkeley, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon and several American Public Transportation Association sustainability conferences.

HART’s work on reducing its carbon footprint by over 17% over the past 5 years, significantly reducing energy consumption in its operating facilities, and its international certification as the only ISO 14001 environmentally sustainable transit agency in the State of Florida, one of only a dozen in North America, has been lauded by these organizations.