February 2, 2009 - Tampa, Florida - Super ridership for HART services, news on projects like Bus Rapid Transit and the Hillsborough County rail system, and a tribute to civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks were on the agenda for Monday's meeting of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority's Board of Directors.
Super Bowl Brings Super-Sized Ridership
Football fans and partygoers hopped aboard HART buses, trolleys and streetcars over Super Bowl weekend. In particular, ridership on the TECO Line Streetcar System turned in a record-shattering performance, reaching more than 20,000 rides on Friday, and more than 25,000 on Saturday. The previous high mark for single-day ridership on the streetcar system was 13,451, set during the 2008 Streetcar Fest last October.
Buses to Honor Rosa Parks
Initiated by HART Board member Wallace Bowers, the Board approved placing a display onboard HART buses dedicated to the pioneering desegregation efforts of Rosa Parks. The piece includes a photo of Mrs. Parks seated on a bus with the caption "It all started on a bus..." The display will be placed in honor of Black History Month 2009, and will remain onboard as a permanent tribute to Mrs. Parks. Click here or on the image at left to view a PDF version of the display.
HART and the Economic Recovery Act
Staff also reported that the federal economic stimulus package passed by the House of Representatives last week contains $12 billion for transit. HART has several projects that could qualify for the funding including the purchase of new buses and vans, accessibility improvements, upgrades to the operations and maintenance facility, work on the streetcar extension, a proposed TIA transfer center, and streetcar system improvements.
BRT, Rail Projects Update
HART's work on the Hillsborough County rail initiative has continued, with procurements released for consulting services on the New Starts Program process and National Environmental Policy Act, and for undertaking early planning work on the project. Staff reported that a new technical group has been formed to coordinate on the technical efforts of the project. Members include HART, FDOT and the Hillsborough County MPO.
In addition, the first phase of the Bus Rapid Transit project (BRT) is slated for construction in 2010. Station locations are being finalized, while work on traffic signal prioritization - which would allow buses priority travel through certain intersections - is expected to be ready for a demonstration in the next few months.
HART's Mission
Our Team is dedicated to providing excellent customer service while building solutions to support Hillsborough County's needs...now and into the future.