EMPLOYEE HONORS AND INDUSTRY AWARDS

Whether we are giving our employees awards for distinguished service or receiving accolades from the transit and business worlds for everyday excellence, we never forget that the highest honor of all is helping the people of Hillsborough County.

2009 FPTA Outstanding Transit System

Efficiency, effectiveness, customer service, financial management - those are just some of the areas of achievement that have earned Hillsborough Area Regional Transit the title of "Outstanding Transit System" by the Florida Public Transportation Association. The Outstanding Transit System award emphasizes achievement in efficiency and effectiveness, as measured by both quantitative and qualitative factors. As part of the award process, HART submitted ridership and productivity numbers for the past three years, showing consistent growth.

Fiscal management is another important measurement, and HART demonstrated effective financial control by monitoring all related financial activities to ensure revenues, costs and cash flow are in compliance with stated objectives. In the last year, the implementation of efficiencies in various services and processes led to a savings of more than $1 million, which HART has been able to direct back into its transit service.

In addition, achievements in safety, operations, customer service, staff development, policy administration and marketing and community relations were considered in judging for the award.

FPTA Marketing, Safety, and Mechanic of the Year Awards

The Florida Public Transportation Association recognized HART with 2009 awards in Marketing, Safety and the Mechanic of the Year competition:

• First-place Award of Excellence in the Electronic Media category for television advertising
• Judges' Favorite Award for the television spots
• First Runner-Up Mechanic of the Year to Ken Burk
• Award of Merit in Electronic Media - Other for website design
• Award of Merit in Print Advertising for the "Next Stop" advertising campaign
• Safety Award Second Runner-Up in Group 1

To view elements of HART's "Next Stop" print advertising campaign and television commercials, click here.

GFAO Certificate of Achievement 2009

The Government Finance Officers Association has recognized HART with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.

CUTR Research Champion Award

HART's Travel Training program provides personalized, one-on-one training to anyone in Hillsborough County who needs a little guidance before hopping onboard a bus. Travel Trainer Mark Sheppard received a very high honor from the Center for Urban Transportation Research, when he was presented with its Research Champion Award. Mark received the award in appreciation of his invaluable assistance and dedicated support of transportation research on the Travel Assistance Device project, a cell-phone enabled device that helps people with disabilities ride easier by alerting them when their stop is approaching.

 

2009 Governor's Business Diversification Awards

HART was awarded recognition at the 2009 Governor's Business Diversification Awards in two categories: Mega Market Innovation Award and Green to Gold Award. The certificate reads: "In recognition of your economic and civic contributions to Hillsborough County" Presented October 6, 2009 by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Committee of One Hundred.

 

HART CEO to Lead International Study Mission

HART's Chief Executive Officer, David Armijo, has been selected to lead a team of U.S. transit professionals on a study mission to South America as part of the International Transit Studies Program, sponsored by the Transit Cooperative Research Program of the Transportation Research Board. Since 1994, the International Transit Studies Program (ITSP) has been providing opportunities for U.S. public transit managers to meet face-to-face with their peers in cities throughout the world. They talk about common concerns and challenges, and they learn firsthand how transit systems in communities of various sizes and cultures are planned, funded, operated, and maintained. They come home with a broader perspective and with new ideas for improving their own agencies. 

For more information on the International Study Missions Program, please click here.

 

HART a Winner at the 2009 APTA Adwheel Awards

At the October national meeting of the American Public Transportation Association, HART drove away with a first-place Award of Excellence in the Special Event, Promotion category for the 2008 TECO Line Streetcar Fest. The annual event celebrates the anniversary of the streetcar system's return to Tampa with entertainment, food and fun all along the streetcar line. Fares for the day are rolled back to 1946, when a ride on the streetcar cost only a nickel. The 2008 event was a huge success, with more than 14,000 rides for the day.

 

HART Named One of the “Best Workplaces for Commuters”

In January 2009, HART was designated as one of the Best Workplaces for Commuters for meeting the National Standard of Excellence in commuter benefits, such as free or low-cost bus passes, strong telework programs, carpool matching and vanpool subsidies. Best Workplaces for Commuters demonstrates that alternatives to drive-alone commuting, such as transit, carpools and teleworking are economically beneficial, yielding value to workers, employers and our environment. Click here for more information.

Million Mile Club Awards

Each year, the Tampa Area Safety Council recognizes the "Million Mile Club" drivers. Achieving this feat means these operators drove for approximately 14 years or 25,000 miles without a preventable accident. More than 50 HART bus operators have reached this goal. The current members of the Million Mile Club are Peter Baker, Fred Bley, Ernesto Cabrera, Michael Cochran, Jose Gonzalez and Tony Hernandez. Operator Carol Bley qualified for the Two Million Mile Club.

© 2008-2009 Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART). Tampa, Florida. Public transit service for Tampa, Clearwater, Ybor City, Macdill, Temple Terrace, and Tampa International Airport

HART's Title VI Program
Equity of Access to Transit Services
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HART’S Programa Titulo VI
Igualdad de acceso a Servicios Transitos
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