October Newsletter: Moving Forward in a World of Change, From Scooter to Public Transit Commuter, More ...

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit

October 2010

Moving Forward in a World of Change

Dr. Steven E. Polzin

HART Board Director

When I first arrived in Hillsborough County in 1988, HART (called "HARTline" at the time) was hosting a series of meetings to explore various proposals for improving public transportation. Having just completed four months of transit planning for the Dulles corridor in Washington, D.C. - preceded by four years in transit planning for Dallas Area Regional Transit and four years with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority - I was anxious to see what this area was planning. Jump ahead 22 years and our transit agency is immersed in what is probably the most extensive outreach effort in its history. Those prior planning efforts have resulted in a lot of changes but none as significant as what is potentially ahead.

HART has built a strong foundation of growing ridership and productivity. Against all odds and the current recession, ridership growth and service levels have continued to increase. Staff capabilities have never been better. The community has responded with greater use of the services and our peer agencies throughout the country have acknowledged HART's accomplishments by honoring it with the APTA 2010 Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award.

In spite of these accomplishments Hillsborough County has continued to under-invest in transit service and hence, has remained underserved by public transportation. We also remain a most challenging urban area to serve with public transportation - an area where continued progress will require exceptionally hard work, discipline, community support and time.

Since just a few years ago, many aspects that are the foundation of longer range planning have shifted dramatically. We were in the heady days of booming suburban population growth, and the steep increases in property values and associated property tax revenues. High-speed rail was on hold and state and federal transportation programs were on a steady course. We hadn't yet been spooked by the gas price spike in summer 2008 and we were witnessing challenges in controlling costs as labor and material shortages were plentiful.

Now, federal, state and local revenues are under great pressure. Future growth and development are less certain. Everything from future fuel prices to land development trends to car technologies are in flux. None of this changes the need for Hillsborough County to have a competitive and effective public transportation system. It does mean that the nature of that system must be flexible and responsive to future changes as we move ahead. While this may add some uncertainty and consternation, it is the prudent strategy to ensure that we use our resources wisely and effectively. What remains a constant is the need for better public transportation and the need for the local community to provide the leadership, financial support, patience and discipline. No one else will improve public transit in Hillsborough County. Our opportunity to address these needs and compete effectively with our peer cities requires local support and requires us to spend each dollar more wisely than our competitors. Support your public transit agency, use its services, share your ideas, and hold HART accountable.

Then, award-winning achievements can continue.

Steven Polzin, Ph.D., is a HART Board member selected by the Board of County Commissioners. He has served from 1999-2006 and 2008-present. He is on the research faculty at the University of South Florida, and is a recognized national expert in public transportation and transportation policy.

Table of Contents

At the HART of the Community: Transit is Expanding. But How?

HART On The Move: Providing Exceptional Customer Service

To The HART of the Matter: From Scooter to Public Transit Commuter

C a l e n d a r o f E v e n t s

10/03 @ Noon:
Feria de la Familia (Family Fun Fest) @ Tampa Convention Center

10/15 @ 10:30 a.m.:

2010 APTA Outstanding Public Transportation System Award Ceremony @ Streetcar Barn

10/18 @ 8:30 a.m.:
Regular HART Board Meeting @ County Center

W e ' r e G o i n g

Y o u r W a y

We're Going Your Way

What will it be like 20 years from now if nothing is done about transportation? Are people going to be able to go to work if gas prices were to skyrocket to more than $5 per gallon? Watch We're Going Your Way, a video about the Rapid Transit Investment Plan (RTIP) that HART has developed to meet the future transportation needs of Hillsborough County. The RTIP includes expanded and innovative transit services, such as bus, express, paratransit and flex service, as well as bus rapid transit and light rail.

For more information about the plan, such as financials, FAQs, summary of service updates, and how the RTIP will benefit you, visit www.goHART.org/whytransit

To request a speaker or presentation, subscribe to our mailing list, or for more information, email [email protected] or call (813) 223-6831, ext. 1757.

At The HART Of The Community

HART developed the Rapid Transit Investment Plan (RTIP) to expand its services to meet the transportation needs of the county both today and into the future. The RTIP outlines a specific program of services and capital projects for the next 30 years.

But how, exactly, will the RTIP be implemented?

Don't worry, HART has a PLAN.

A PLAN for the PLAN

The HART Transition Plan is in place today to move the Rapid Transit Investment Plan forward tomorrow. This transition strategy is committed to intergovernmental cooperation, the desires of this community and the needs of HART customers. Key elements of this Transition Plan include operations, construction, financial and other components important to smoothly develop HART's efforts to completely modernize public transportation services. HART vows to provide patrons with better services and minimal disruptions.

Short- and long-term implementation plans will guide HART's transition to increased services, improving paratransit and flex services, implementing bus rapid transit, upgrading the operations and maintenance facility, building a second operations and maintenance facility, and constructing light rail. Some of these projects are already part of the HART Capital Improvement Program. The charts below demonstrate consolidated projects (RTIP projects + Capital Improvement Program projects) over the next few years and, with a potential boost in local funding, key transition tasks over the next six months:

HARTConsolidatedProjects

keytransitiontasksovernextsixmonths

In addition, an overall financial outlook has been developed as part of the Transition Plan, which includes revenue and expense projections.

Marketing is also a key element of the Transition Plan to ensure customer awareness. For example, customer service staff - already handling 22,000 calls each month - will be ready to receive additional questions residents may have. Participation and input from our community, business and government partners will guarantee that projects completed under the RTIP truly make a positive difference in the daily lives of Hillsborough County residents.

As HART transitions into its advanced role as a provider of premiere public transportation services, staff is ready to implement transit services that are sustainable and dependable.

RTIP in a MINUTE