The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) in Tampa, FL, recently marked the reopening of the Yukon Transfer Center following an extensive renovation project. The facility—the oldest HART transfer center, originally opening in 1983—underwent a full upgrade, along with an expansion including additional restrooms and more bus bays.

This transfer center serves several HART bus routes and is a pick-up and drop-off point for children using Hillsborough County public school buses. Funding for the project came from state grants and a local match by HART.

The reopening ceremony also included the unveiling of bus plaques in honor of civil rights icon Rosa Parks’ refusal on Dec. 1, 1955, to move to the back of a bus in Montgomery, AL. HART will install the plaques permanently on all buses in its fleet.

The bus plaques are dedicated to the legacy of Rosa Parks and the “It All Started on a Bus” campaign that pays tribute to the important role of public transit during the civil rights movement, as well as today, to achieve social justice in communities throughout the country.

Cutting the ribbon at the reopening of HART’s Yukon Transfer Center are, from left, Dr. Steve Polzin, vice chair, HART Board of Directors; Philip Hale, HART chief executive officer;   Sandra Murman, Hillsborough County commissioner; Jeff Seward, HART chief financial officer; the Rev. Wallace Bowers, HART Board of Directors; Frank Reddick, Tampa city councilman; Candy Olsen, Hillsborough County Public Schools; Evangaline Best, East Tampa community advocate; John Melendez, HART Board of Directors; and Katharine Eagan, HART chief operating officer.