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.

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."