The purpose of the Transportation Information Service newsletter
is to inform, update, and educate members of the New North
Transportation Alliance and the public on local mobility issues,
projects and developments.
Hundreds of commuters throughout the Tampa Bay area
pledged to try a commute option during the 2004 Commuter Choices Week,
October 4-9. Many commuters from area businesses, including the H. Lee Moffitt
Cancer Center, the Veterans’ Hospital, the Florida Department of Transportation,
and the University of South Florida participated this year.
Many were awarded for their efforts.
Congratulations to New
North area commuters who won prizes in this year’s Commuter Choices Week
drawing:
Bay Area Commuter
Services Winner
Jaqueline Horton
James A. Haley Veterans
Administration Medical Center
NNTA Prize Winners
Sylvia Larkin
Onika Bobb
Lisa Reyburn
Thank you to everyone
who tried a commute option during Commuter Choices Week!
If you decide to continue carpooling, biking, riding the bus, or
vanpooling instead of driving to work, remember to sign up for the
Emergency Ride Home Program – which is available in case of an
emergency to those who use a commute option at least twice a week.Go to
www.tampabayrideshare.org or call 813-282-8200 for more
information.
National Drunk
and Drugged Driving Prevention Month
The December holidays are
traditionally one of the deadliest times of the year on the nation’s
highways. That is why the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is
joining the national effort to reduce impaired driving this holiday season
by designating December as National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D)
Prevention Month.
"Impaired driving is no
accident-it’s a crime that can be prevented," said FDOT Secretary José
Abreu. "Last year in Florida, 1,096 people died and 17,379 more were injured
in traffic collisions where at least one driver or pedestrian had been
drinking."
The purpose of 3D
Prevention Month is to alert the public of the dangers of driving while
under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In addition to the national
campaign sponsored by NHTSA, many county and local law enforcement agencies
throughout Florida will conduct DUI checkpoints and heightened patrols
during the holiday season.
Tips from the
FDOT Safety Office:
·Don't risk
getting sent to jail. If you plan to drive, don't drink.Take mass transit, a taxicab or ask a sober friend to drive
you home.
·Choose a sober
designated driver before taking the first drink. Designated drivers
are not those individuals who drank the least.Be sure the designated driver has had nothing to drink before
taking the wheel.
·Spend the night
where the activity or party is being held.Party hosts should prepare accommodations or safe rides home
for alcohol consuming partygoers.
·Report impaired
drivers to law enforcement. Anyone can do this by dialing *FHP on
their cellular phone.
·Always wear your
safety belt. This is the best defense against an impaired driver.
The
Florida Department of Transportation’s Community Traffic Safety Team (CTST)
has created “Recipes for the Road,” a booklet of non-alcoholic drink recipes
contributed by Tampa Bay area restaurants.
As the holidays approach,
it is a good time to think about celebrating safely with family members and
friends. We hope you will use some of the drink recipes from “Recipes
for the Road” to add to your holiday festivities.
Enjoy your holiday season
responsibly.
The “Recipes for the Road”
booklet is available at:
On December 5, 2004,
HARTline will introduce several route
changes that will benefit people living and working in the University
area. These changes will result in improved travel times and extended
service hours on nights and weekends.
Route 44
– UATC/Habana/Westshore Plaza
This new route
will operate hourly between HART’s University Area Transit Center (UATC)
and Westshore Plaza, serving Habana Avenue between Martin Luther King
Jr. Blvd, and Sligh Avenue, Monday-Friday, service from 5:10am -
10:30pm. This route replaces parts of the Route 7.
Both routes 44 & 45 provide more options for shoppers, taking them
beyond the former Tampa Bay Center Mall to the Westshore area.
Route 45– UATC/Rome/Westshore Plaza
This route is similar
to Route 44 except that it serves Rome Avenue between M.L.K. Jr. Blvd.,
and Sligh Ave. This route provides hourly service, 7 days a week.
Travel on weekdays from 4:40am - 10:00pm and weekends from 6:30am -
9:00pm. This route replaces parts of Route 7.
Route 2 – Nebraska
Avenue
Patrons who work late on weekends will be able to take advantage of
later hours on HART’s busiest route, providing service between the
University Area and downtown Tampa. Weekday hours from 4:30am -11:00pm;
Saturdays from 5:15am -10:21pm; Sundays from 6:35am - 8:46 pm.
Previously a Limited Express route crossing the county from Oldsmar to
netp@rk, this revised route focuses on the northeast and the University of South Florida campus.
Service to Temple Terrace is improved
with this 5:30am - 9:30pm, weekday route. In addition to the USF campus and housing, Route 57 also serves the
Seminole Casino and Hard Rock Hotel on Orient Road.
New route schedules will be available at major HART transit centers,
including University Area Transit Center and Marion Transit Center and
at customer
service locations. For
more information about these service enhancements call the HARTinfo Line
at (813) 254-4278, HART’s TDD accessible phone line at (813) 626-9158,
or visit
www.hartline.org
Spend
quality time with Santa on-board and a beautifully lit TECO streetcar
this holiday season. Santa’s lighted streetcar departs on Saturday,
December 4th & 11th at either 2pm or 5pm. So
don’t delay, call today. Seats are filling up fast.
Rides with Santa are $5.00 Per Person. Reservations Required. Call
(813) 223-6831, ext. 2121 or email orourkek@hartline.org
to book your ride.
Want to save money & make
better use of your time by carpooling or vanpooling-
but don't know anyone to share the commute with? We may be able to help! Join the regional rideshare
database by following the link on the Commuter page of our website, www.newnorthalliance.org,
or by calling 813-974-9799 to speak with a New North Transportation
Alliance representative.
Vanpool from Riverview to USF
Area looking for more riders. The newest vanpool to the New North area has room for two
more riders. The vanpool travels from Riverview to the Moffitt Cancer
Center and VA Hospital. Work hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you
are interested in joining this vanpool, call Bay Area Commuter Services at
1-800-998-RIDE.
