HART Named Most Outstanding Transit Agency!

 

HART has been designated as the most Outstanding Public Transit System of the Year for all agencies in North America carrying between 4 - 20 million passenger trips by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).  The designation highlights HART's transformation since the arrival of C.E.O. David Armijo.

One of the first goals Mr. Armijo set for the agency was to become one of the best transit agencies in the country.  Check. 

Over the past three years, Mr. Armijo has delivered a more efficient and effective business approach. 

Riders have responded.

HART saw 13 million rides taken on our services in 2009 – an agency record.  Since 2003, HART has experienced 7% annual ridership growth.

Mr. Armijo's most effective change has come in the area of providing efficient, effective, quality service.

At HART, we've open our ears to our riders and their needs.  In 2007, HART added late night and weekend service to some of our busiest routes, in order to improve transit availabilty and service for our riders.   HART has improved service to Tampa International Airport, increasing frequency to as much as 15 minutes on weekdays. We have also increased on-time performance by prioritizing bus stop placements.

As a result of our service changes, HART has seen an over 24% ridership increase on routes with targeted improvements.

We've actually become younger with age, with the replacement of 59 fixed routes and 28 paratransit vehicles in the last two years.

The efficiency doesn't stop there...

Under Mr. Armijo's leadership, HART has saved over $1 million by controlling use of overtime, and FLMA leave time, which HART directed back into transit service.

In our industry, this award is comparable to the Stanley Cup, the Oscar for Best Picture or the Scripps National Spelling Bee.  We're kind of a big deal.

Normally, APTA has four size groups for this prestigious award, this year our group (the mid-sized, 4 - 20 million ridership group) was actually two size groups consolidated in one.  Even in the most competitive group in the award's history, HART came out as best in class. 

None of this could have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of all those in the HART family.  The country finally knows, what we've known about our family for a long time - our family is the best.

How do you spell the best?   H–A–R–T!

First, best public transit agency in Florida, then North America... next the world? Bigger and better things - keep your eyes posted.

© 2012 Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART). Tampa, Florida. Public transit service for Tampa, Ybor City, Macdill, Temple Terrace, and Tampa International Airport

HART Title VI Program
Equity of Access to Transit Services

Programa Titulo VI de HART
Igualdad de acceso a Servicios Transitos
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