|
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit
|
April/2010 |
|
 |
Greetings from Hillsborough Area Regional Transit. I am David Armijo, Chief Executive Officer. It is with great excitement HART launches its first edition of our Community Newsletter. As a public agency, communication with the public we serve is vital to the continued development of our operations.
This is a monumental time for HART.
We are improving our current service, implementing new services and preparing for the possibility of making transit in Hillsborough County faster and more accessible through the use of improved bus service and light rail.
Let me first share information about light rail, which is different from High Speed Rail. High Speed Rail is a project, partially funded by the government, connecting Tampa, Polk County, Orlando and eventually the Miami area. The first phase of Light Rail would be used to connect local residents to New Tampa, the University of South Florida, East Tampa, Downtown Tampa, Westshore and Tampa International Airport. Future connections are planned to reach northwest Hillsborough County, Brandon, South Tampa and other areas, as demand for service increases.
The proposed one-cent sales tax you've heard so much about would not only be used to fund light rail, but would also help fund rapid and improved bus service, as well as, road improvements in Hillsborough County. County Commissioners are still ironing out the details of this proposal and residents may get the opportunity to vote on the issue this fall. Meanwhile, HART is moving forward with Flex service, Bus Rapid Transit and expanding our student and corporate programs.
In closing, I'd like to thank you for making HART your choice for transportation. We look forward to partnering with you as we work to expand mobility choices that benefit your lifestyle.
Sincerely,
David Armijo
Chief Executive Officer
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit |
|
|
|
| At The HART Of The Community |
|
Reaching Out In East Tampa
HART C.E.O. David Armijo took the agency's message to the HEART of Tampa. He meet with residents who live near Abe Brown Ministries, on 29th Street and 21st Avenue in East Tampa, Friday, March 26. Mr. Armijo shared HART's plans for extended bus service, Bus Rapid Transit and the proposed light rail system. Board members Alison Hewitt and Commissioner Mark Sharpe attended. Commissioner Sharpe also addressed the capacity crowd. Residents got the chance to ask questions regarding HART. Some of their concerns include: the need to extend bus service in New Tampa, expand bus service from East Tampa to the airport and the need for additional shelters and seating at bus stops in the area. A number of HART's staff were on hand to answer questions during and after the event. Representatives from Commissioner Kevin White's office were also there. Commissioner White represents District 3, which includes areas surrounding Abe Brown Ministries. Mr. Armijo plans to continue his outreach efforts in both east and west Tampa over the next several months. Several HART Board Members have committed to joining him.
HART will publicize those meetings on our website at www.goHART.org,distribute informational fliers in the areas where the meetings will take place and we will work with local newspapers to also help spread the word.
 HART continues to flex our presence in the community. This month, we are launching our new HARTflex program. HARTflex is a door-to-door van service that transports passengers directly to their destinations, at a cost of 85-cents one way, or $1.85 for a day pass. The pilot program will provide service to residents in the Brandon, Wimauma and Sun City Center area.
HARTflex is a great way to reach these areas where some neighborhoods are difficult to navigate our traditional 40 ft. buses. It also allows customers to reach their destinations at a schedule that's right for them. HARTflex officially begins April 12. The program could expand to other areas pending the success of the pilot. For more information go to our website at www.goHART.org where HARTflex is highlighted on the front page, or call (813) 449-4555.
Where's My Bus? Check Your Phone! 
Where's my bus? Hillsborough Area Regional Transit now has a simple way to answer that question for Hillsborough County transit riders. We simply RouteShout the answer.
RouteShout is HART's new way to give riders schedule information, bus stop locations and service updates, via cell phone, Android or Iphone. For cell phone users, with mobile browsers, simply log on to m.routeshout.com, search GoHART, type in the zip code of your location and the nearest bus stop and arrival times appear. If riders have a GPS enabled phone, RouteShout will not only display arrival times, but nearby bus stops as well. For Iphone and Android users, simply go to Itunes or the "Android market," search Routeshout, load the application, then search GoHART. RouteShout is a free service offered to Hillsborough County transit riders It is just the latest technology HART is using to better serve our community. |
| HART On The Move |
Who is Mary, you might ask? I'm Mary Shavalier, one of HART's four Senior Executives. My role is to oversee planning and program development.
Before joining HART, I managed Cobb Community Transit, a suburban transit system just outside Atlanta, Georgia. However, I got my start in transit in my home country of Canada, where I served as Community Relations Coordinator with Calgary Transit. I am now leading the effort to improve transit in Hillsborough County through new methods of transportation, such as, rapid transit and light rail. My role requires me to oversee what's called the Downtown Tampa-USF-Westshore Alternative Analysis study. This is an extensive process to determine the transit imporvements that would best suit the community's needs in those areas. This process is also the first step towards securing federal funding for major transit projects. To date, my team and I have prepared successful applications that lead to Hillsborough County approving $40 million in funding for HART's Bus Rapid Transit System and several park-and-ride lots. My next goal is to move forward implementing HART's Rapid Transit Investment plan, which includes expanded bus service, light rail, bus rapid transit and expanded service for the disabled throughtout Hillsborough County.
|
| To The HART Of The Matter |
|
What HART Means To Me
HART plays a significant role in affording customers of the CDC of Tampa, Inc. expanded employment opportunities. For many families, HART is the most viable option of getting to work, to healthcare services, and to leisure activities. Ultimately, HART has increased the quality of life for residents of Hillsborough County.
Ernest Coney
Chief Operations Officer
Corporation To Develop
Communities of Tampa, Inc. |
HART is dedicated to providing excellent customer service while building solutions to support Hillsborough County's needs.....now and into the future.
Hartinfo Line: (813) 254-4278
TDD (813) 626-9158
Hartplus: (813) 623-5835
www.goHART.org
Follow us on Twitter @goHART and become a fan on Facebook
Tameca Johnson is the Editor of A Community With HART. She can be reached at (813) 449-4707
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
