The Tampa Streetcar continues to crush its ridership records, and remains one of the must popular streetcar services in the country. Officials have announced that in July, the streetcar’s ridership reached 164,325. This marks the biggest month in the system’s modern history.
The TECO Line Streetcar System is a 2.7-mile electric heritage streetcar line connecting Downtown Tampa, Channel District, and Ybor City. Service is free seven days a week to 11 covered wheelchair-accessible stations every 15 minutes.
ADVERTISEMENT
With its surging popularity comes a heightened need for more service. Hillsborough Area Region Transit has announced service frequency is about to increase on weekend. Service frequency will increase to every 12 minutes during peak hours to accommodate the large, standing-room-only crowds the Streetcar experiences on the weekends.
Keeping the Tampa Streetcar free in the city
While the system is currently free to use, fares could resume down the line, according to a report by Tampa Bay Business Journal. That report also notes that streetcar officials are looking into a bus circulator connecting parts of Tampa Heights, downtown Tampa, and Water Street.
“The TECO Line Streetcar continues to show what an investment in public transportation can provide with enhanced connectivity in the area and increased foot traffic to businesses,” said Tampa Historic Streetcar, Inc. President Michael English. “The TECO Line Streetcar provides a viable transportation alternative for residents, workers and visitors in downtown and historic Ybor City”.
You can see a full streetcar map on its website.
What to read next:
- Dessert Wars returns to Tampa this September
- Rene’s Mexican Kitchen opening in Ybor next week
- The Tampa Happy Hour Guide
- Hyde Park Village lands new boutique hotel
- Blind Tiger Coffee debuting new rooftop speakeasy
ADVERTISEMENT