Close Nav
Sitemap • GOOGLE TRANSLATE

Here

 

EMERGENCYWEATHER SERVICE

STORM SERVICE UPDATES​

Hurricane Milton Update: 

10.8.24 - 12:30 pm: ​

The TECO Line Streetcar will suspend service at 3 pm today until the storm has passed and conditions are assessed.

Service will be hourly today between 2 - 3 pm due to a shortage of operators. Customers should be prepared for longer wait times than usual.
HART bus and van service are still operating until 8 p.m. tonight.


10.7.24 - 4 pm: ​

Considering the potential Category 5 hurricane expected to make landfall on Wednesday, October 9th, between 6 AM and 12 PM, HART will extend Emergency Service operations until 8 PM on Tuesday, October 8th. This decision, in collaboration with the Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center, aims to ensure the safety of our community.

We are preparing to accommodate the increased number of evacuees heading to shelters.

10.7.24 - 10:15​ am: ​

Monday Service Operation:

HART service continues normal operation today, Monday, October 7, 2024. All buses, streetcars, and paratransit are operating according to their regular schedules. HART service will be fare-free starting at 3 p.m.

Emergency Service Schedule & Suspension of Service - Tuesday, October 8, 2024:

Effective Tuesday, October 8, 2024, HART buses will operate on the Emergency Service Schedule. All HART bus and TECO Line Streetcar services will be suspended starting noon on October 8, 2024. HARTPlus paratransit service will not be available on Tuesday.

This decision reflects our commitment to ensuring the safety of our community. As we prepare for the potential impacts of Hurricane Milton, the well-being of our riders and employees remains our top priority.

10.6.24 - 1 pm: ​

Currently, there are no operational changes. Middleton High School will be opened for voluntary evacuation at 1pm today and the Route 12 will go fare-free to avoid customer confusion. ​

Tomorrow, Monday, October 7th  will operate regular (normal) service. Please expect the next update tomorrow at 12 noon.

​​

 ‭(Hidden)‬ Emergency Content 2024

EMERGENCY SERVICES OVERVIEW

HOW OUR EMERGENCY EVACUATION SERVICE WORKS

  • When the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) tells HART to start an evacuation, regular bus service will stop and evacuation bus service begins.
  • During emergencies, HART operates local routes at different frequencies. HART operates Sunday Limited Express (LX) route patterns during emergency service (which does not include 24LX and 25LX). Please check the emergency schedules for specific times, as they differ from regular schedules.
  • The HART bus system will take you to one of four meeting points, where connections to evacuation shelters are provided by Hillsborough County Schools. These meeting points are: Netpark, Northwest, Yukon Transfer Centers, or the University Area Transit Center. Additionally, Shields Middle School serves as a county evacuation shelter accessible by HARTFlex. Check the county website in advance to confirm if this shelter is ​open.
  • On-demand zone service is available by calling at (813) 254-4278 for transportation to the nearest transit center, where you can transfer to a route that connects to a meeting point if needed.
  • Emergency Evacuation service will stop at 7:00 PM or when sustained winds reach 35 mph or if the buses need to get off the roads due to hazardous conditions. Stay informed by monitoring local news for updates.
  • Both Evacuation bus and On-demand zone services are free of charge.
  • All HART buses are ADA-accessible and hold up to two wheelchairs. ​​​​

​EMERGENCY SERVICES DOCUMENTS

INDIVIDUAL ROUTE MA​PS​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
HURRICANE EVACUATION ROUTES

MOVING YOU TO SAFETY​

HART buses run special evacuation routes for people who need transportation to shelters. HART and the Hillsborough County Office of Emergency Management urge you to make arrangements now for the safety of your family should a storm force you from your home. Emergency routes are designed to simply move people from low ground to higher ground.

PLAN AHEAD

If a major storm threatens our area, we will announce the need to interrupt service as early in the day as possible, and will work to restore service just as soon as it is safe to do so.

Don't wait for​ the last minute to make arrangements or to implement your evacuation plan, as you may find yourself stranded. 

If you are in need of public transportation before a storm, here’s what you need to know to use HART evacuation bus service:

HART PROVIDES EMERGENCY EVACUATION BUS SERVICES DURING A STORM

IF YOU HAVE NO WAY TO EVACUATE

HART provides free emergency evacuation bus services to one of the following open public shelters:

  • Smith Middle School, 14303 Citrus Pointe Drive in the Citrus Park area (Routes A, B, G)
  • Pizzo Elementary School, on Bull Run and Fowler in Tampa (Routes C, D)
  • Middleton High School on Osborne and 22nd Street in Tampa (Route E, F, I)
  • Shields Middle School, 15732 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin (Route H)

There are 9 evacuation bus routes, which are designated with a letter from “A” to “I.” Each route is​​ assigned to deliver passengers to one of the four Red Cross shelters listed above.

WHEN EVACUATIONS START

These services begin after the Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center instructs HART to commence and public shelters have been opened. For the safety of our bus operators, evacuation buses will operate during daylight hours only. Service will be suspended when the Emergency Operations Center advises HART to remove vehicles off the road. 

FOR THOSE WITH ANY SPECIAL NEEDS

The Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center manages transportation to special needs shelters. Explain your needs to the EOC. Residents who have a medical condition requiring special assistance should call Hillsborough County at 813-2​​​72-5900. ​

 
MAP ON BUS
EVACUATION R​OUTES
 
NEED SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
813-272-5900

HOW AND WHERE TO BOARD

Blue and white “Emergency Shelter Bus Stop” signs are located along specific routes, or you may stand at a corner​ along the route and wave down the bus. All HART buses are ADA accessible. E​mergency evacuation bus service is free.

There will be five buses on each route circulating continuously every five to ten minutes.

WHAT TO CARRY ON BOARD

  • One suitcase per pe​rson
  • Medications and toiletries
  • Pillows and blankets
  • Flashlight and batteries
  • Identification
  • Cash
  • Valuable papers
  • Drinking water and some non-perishable foods
​​
 

AREAS NOT PART OF REGULAR ROUTES

The Hillsborough County School District will operate school buses to evacuate people in areas not covered by the 9 HART evacuation routes. For more information, residents should call the Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center at 813​-​272-5900.​
Click here to find out what it takes to prepare HART for a hurricane.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE? VISITFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS​
One Bus Away 

E​MERGENCY SERVICE

MOVING YOU TO SAFETY

Please check the HART Emergency Service p​age​ should a storm or other emergency threaten the area, as Emergency Route details can change quickly due to the severity and type of emergency.


PLAN AHEAD

If a major storm threatens our area, we will announce the need to interrupt service as early in the day as possible, and will work to restore service just as soon as it is safe to do so.

Don't wait for​ the last minute to make arrangements or to implement your evacuation plan, as you may find yourself stranded. ​

​

SERVICE OPERATING CONDITIONS

E​mergency bus service is free. For the safety of our bus operators, buses will operate during daylight hours only. Service will be suspended when the Emergency Operations Center advises HART to remove vehicles off the road or when sustained wind reach 35 miles per hour.


FOR THOSE WITH ANY SPECIAL NEEDS

The Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center manages transportation to special needs shelters. Explain your needs to the EOC. Residents who have a medical condition requiring special assistance should call Hillsborough County at 813-2​​​72-5900. All HART buses are ADA accessible.


WHAT TO CARRY ON BOARD

  • One suitcase per pe​rson
  • Medications and toiletries
  • Pillows and blankets
  • Flashlight and batteries
  • Identification
  • Cash
  • Valuable papers
  • Drinking water and some non-perishable foods
​​
 

AREAS NOT PART OF REGULAR ROUTES

The Hillsborough County School District will operate school buses to evacuate people in areas not covered by HART.

For more information, residents should call the Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center at 813​-​272-5900.​​​​​​​​​

return to topreturn to top