Join HART in Celebrating Transit Worker Appreciation Day!

Join HART in celebrating Transit Worker Appreciation Day on March 18, 2021.

HART bus, van and streetcar operators not only transport customers to doctor's appointments, school, work, etc., but also act as customer service representatives, tour guides, and sounding boards for their passengers. They are typically the first interaction customers experience to start their day.

With 800+ HART employees, there are so many employees "behind the scenes" who deserve a special "thank you". These include mechanics, maintenance attendants, dispatchers, radio shop staff, supervisors, customer service representatives, and more!

How our community can celebrate National Transit Worker Appreciation Day with us:

• When getting on a board a HART bus, van or streetcar say a HART-felt ‘thank you’.
• Recognize your favorite Operator or Motorperson by complimenting him/her by:
• calling HART Customer Service at 813-254-4278
• visiting Customer Service | HART (gohart.org) and selecting the "HART Commendation tab"
• Tweet a photo of yourself riding the HART system or with your favorite Operator or Motorperson using the hashtags #HARTHeroes #TransitWorkerDay

During the COVID-19 pandemic, HART transit workers have kept Hillsborough County rolling. They wear mask to protect you, please wear a mask to protect them.

COVID-19 UPDATE: A HART Bus Operator has Tested Positive - 3.16.21

  

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

The last routes operated include: 

• March 13, 2021
• Route 7 (West Tampa)
• March 14, 2021
• Route 16 (Waters Ave)
• Route 39 (Busch Blvd)
• March 15, 2021
• Route 38 (Mango/Brandon)
• Route 46 (Brandon)

This brings the total number of cases of HART employees testing positive for the coronavirus to 94 – including 37 bus operators, 7 van operators, 3 streetcar motorpersons, and 47 other employees.

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

For the safety of everyone on board, following federal law, along with 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 provided onsite COVID-19 testing for all employees.
• 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.
• The bus destination signs on the outside of all HART buses display “Masks Required” 
• 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.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Two Additional Bus Operators Test Positive - 3.01.21

 

HART has received confirmation that an additional two bus operators have tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The last routes operated include: 

• February 24, 2021
• Route 24 LX (FishHawk/South Tampa)
• Route 34 (Hillsborough Ave) 
• Route 400 (Nebraska Ave) 
• Route 1 (Florida Ave) 

• February 25, 2021
• Route 24 LX (FishHawk/South Tampa) 
• Route 34 (Hillsborough Ave)
• Route 400 (Nebraska Ave) 
• Route 1 (Florida Ave) 

This brings the total number of cases of HART employees testing positive for the coronavirus to 93 – including 36 bus operators, 7 van operators, 3 streetcar motorpersons, and 47 other employees.

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

For the safety of everyone on board, following federal law, along with 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 provided onsite COVID-19 testing for all employees.
• 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.
• The bus destination signs on the outside of all HART buses display “Masks Required” 
• 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 Statement on AFT Ruling

Statement from HART related to the Florida Supreme Court's ruling on the All for Transportation Sales Tax:

“HART’s mission is to take people to places that enhance their lives. Despite today’s ruling, that mission does not change. HART remains committed to providing transportation options to thousands of Hillsborough County residents daily - alleviating traffic and providing a more environmentally-friendly commute.

HART’s challenge in our mission – funding – does not change. We continue to do more with less – as one of the most underfunded transit systems per capita in the country.

One thing that is clear, Hillsborough County voters showed overwhelming support for alternative transportation solutions. We look forward to working with our community partners to continue HART’s mission and keep Hillsborough County moving.”

 

Phase 2 of Streetcar Track Replacement to Kick off

A 500-foot section of the TECO Line Streetcar track will be closed starting March 1 - March 12, 2021, while a contractor replaces ties and tracks between the York Street Station #6 and Cumberland Avenue Station (#7). 

The project is Phase 2 contracted to R.W. Summers. Customers can still utilize the sidewalk along the eastside of Channelside Drive, between the stations, roughly a three to five-minute walk. Paratransit customers needing assistance will have access to a van shuttle during the two-week project. 

For HART Customer Service, call 813-254-4278; Monday-Friday 5AM to 9PM and weekends 6AM to 8PM. 

For more information about HART and TECO Line Streetcar service, visit www.goHART.org. 

Phase 2 map of the Streetcar Track Replacement

HART Board Seeks Residents for MPO Citizens Advisory Committee

We NEED YOU! The HART Board of Directors is seeking interested residents to serve on the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Citizens Advisory Committee. 

The CAC is composed of appointed citizens (transportation agency staff are not eligible) who together shall represent a broad spectrum of social and economic backgrounds and who have an interest in the development of an efficient, safe and cost-effective transportation system. Minorities, the elderly and persons with disabilities must be adequately represented on the CAC. All members must be residents of Hillsborough County. 

The application process opened on February 17th and closes on March 12th, 2021. Appointments to the MPO CAC will be made at the April 5, 2021, HART Board meeting.

Citizens interested in being considered for appointment must submit: 1) a completed Questionnaire for MPO CAC; and 2) a Standards of Conduct Form. All questions must be answered. The forms are available on the HART website here. Incomplete applications will be disqualified. Forms must be signed and dated.

Instructions for Submittal:

DELIVER/MAIL TO: HART, 1201 East 7^th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605

SCAN AND E-MAIL TO: PetitL@gohart.org

The MPO CAC shall is responsible for providing information and overall community values and needs into the transportation planning program of the MPO; evaluating and proposing solutions from a citizen's perspective concerning alternative transportation proposals and critical issues; providing knowledge gained through the CAC into local citizen group discussions and meetings, and establishing comprehension and promoting credibility for the MPO Program.

Terms of appointment shall be for a two-year period with an opportunity for reappointment thereafter unless the official who appointed the member leaves office or the MPO board during the term of the member's appointment. In that case, the member shall be deemed to have resigned from the CAC and the new official shall have the right to appoint a new member or reappoint the same member. A member of the committee whose term has expired shall continue to serve until they are reappointed or replaced. The terms of appointment notwithstanding, CAC members shall serve at the pleasure of the MPO.

HART Celebrates Black History Month!

UPDATE: The submission deadline has been extended until March 7, 2021!

HART’s annual Black History Month campaign is an outreach effort targeted to local schools every February to educate students about African Americans who have changed history. 

The theme for 2021 is the representation, identity, and diversity of “The Black Family.” An educational video produced by HART will cover topics about The Black Family, including heads of the family, types of family relationships, and various family backgrounds. 

Black History Month bus

The presentation also introduces public transportation to youth at an early age with a virtual tour around and inside a specially-wrapped bus. 

Youth are invited to enter HART’s Black History Month Contest with their own video, essay, or drawing to apply what they learned from the video.

Student can use this form to submit their entry. All entries must be received by Sunday, February 28, 2021, and will be entered into a raffle to win a HART 31-day pass. Four winners will be chosen.

The option is available for teachers to have HART staff present the video live to their virtual classrooms to allow for interaction.

All submissions may pick up a special Black History Month commemorative giveaway with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Marion Transit Center (1211 N. Marion St.) or University Area Transit Center (13110 N. 27th St.) during window hours as a 'thank you' for entering our contest and encouraging civic involvement. 

Customers and the general public will see HART's Black History Month celebration shared through multi-media elements including bus stop shelter ads, on-board the bus, goHART.org and HART's social media channels.