HART Helps Federal Airport Employees Get To Work

TAMPA, FL -- As the partial government shutdown enters its third week and essential federal workers are forced to forego paychecks, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority is offering the 800 federal employees at Tampa International Airport some relief.

HART and Tampa International Airport have partnered to provide transportation to and from work for federal airport employees. HART has donated 500 31-Day fare cards to support workers of the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

During a government shutdown, many federal employees are considered essential - requiring them to report to work even if they are not getting paid. The employee's ability to get to work is critical for Tampa both financially and operationally, said HART Interim CEO Jeff Seward.

Seward is hoping HART's contribution will ease the transportation burden.

"It is a privilege to be able to offer some assistance to the hard-working federal workers at Tampa International Airport during this time," said Seward. "We have built a strong relationship with the airport team, and any assistance we can provide its employees, we stand at the ready."

"We are grateful to all of our partners in the Bay area who are pulling together to assist the federal workers who are such an important part of the airport family," said Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano. "Their commitment to safety and customer service is what helps make Tampa International one of the best airports in the world."

Image via HART

(For more local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)