TAMPA, Fla. — The TECO Line Streetcar in downtown Tampa is more popular than ever.

What You Need To Know

  • Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) says the TECO Line Streetcar had record ridership over the last 12 months, with more than 1.3 million passenger trips

  • That’s an all-time record since the service launched 21 years ago

  • HART officials say it’s due to several reasons, including new development in downtown like Water Street and an increase in frequency

The Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) says the streetcar had record ridership over the last 12 months, with more than 1.3 million passenger trips.

That’s an all-time record since the service launched 21 years ago.

HART officials say it’s due to several reasons, including new development in downtown like Water Street.

“It’s a perfect combination that the city had with the vision for its streetcar and the development that downtown Tampa and the urban core has really seen,” said Justin Willits, director of planning for HART.

The increase in frequency to every 12 minutes during peak times is another factor to the success.

Longtime streetcar motorman Rafael Vasquez says he sees a lot of passengers when there are big events at Amalie Arena, like Tampa Bay Lightning games.

“I remember when it first started, there were not many people riding. Now the trolley is packed with people coming from all around the world,” Vasquez said.

Vasquez also sees a lot of tourists who use the streetcar.

“I feel part of the success,” Vasquez said. “I have a mission to really make people change their thoughts about Tampa when they come here.”

HART hopes to continue keeping the streetcar fare free. Officials are also still working on funding to possibly expand the streetcar line from downtown Tampa to Armature Works.

For more information, visit TECO Streetcar.