Showing posts with label tampa riverwalk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tampa riverwalk. Show all posts

Monday, October 24, 2016

Route of the Week: The TECO Line Streetcar System

Map of the TECO Line Streetcar System
With a diverse service area roughly the size of Rhode Island, Hillsborough County provides a great mix of urban, suburban and rural destinations for our riders. Think about the destinations that you can see and experience with the HART transportation network!

This week we highlight one of the nation's smallest light rail systems, the TECO Line Streetcar System. That's right, the Streetcar! The system follows all of the same standards and guidelines as all of the rest of the nation's light rail systems.

The TECO Line Streetcar is a 2.7 mile line connecting the employment, dining, and entertainment destinations in Ybor City, the Channel District (including Port of Tampa Bay and Channelside Bay Plaza,) and Downtown Tampa. The TECO Line Streetcar features 11 stations, each equipped with Ticket Vending Machines.

Streetcars actually have deep roots in Tampa's history. Tampa's first electric streetcar lines built in 1892 quickly became an essential part of everyday life as workers took the streetcar downtown and to the cigar factories of west Tampa. And families climbed aboard for a picnic or ball game in DeSoto and Macfarlane parks. Reaching the peak of its popularity in the 1920s with almost 24 million passengers in 1926, Tampa's streetcar system rolled to a stop in August 1946 following World War II.

The Tampa Streetcar was reborn via a grassroots effort and on October 19, 2002, streetcars once again rumbled down the cobblestone streets of Ybor City.

Weekday service extended until midnight for Arena events!
Today, the Streetcar serves a number of entertainment and dining options. Here is just a sampling:
  • The Florida Aquarium
  • Amalie Arena  (Weekday service extended until midnight for Arena events)
  • Tampa Convention Center
  • Centro Ybor
  • The Columbia Restaurant
  • Tampa Bay Brewing Company
  • District Tavern
  • The Tampa Riverwalk
  • Tampa Bay History Center
  • The Bricks Ybor
  • Port Tampa Bay

Visitors will also appreciate the access to hotels along the route:
  • Le Meridien
  • Hilton Tampa
  • Marriott Waterside
  • Embassy Suites by Hilton
  • Aloft Hotel
  • Sheraton Riverwalk
  • Hampton Inn & Suites - Ybor
  • Hilton Garden Inn Tampa

In September 2016, the TECO Line Streetcar System expanded weekday service (as a pilot) to begin operating at 7 a.m. With the launch of this pilot project, the Streetcar became a viable commuting option for those living and working along the line. The Streetcar serves a variety of employment centers in Downtown Tampa and Ybor City including:
  • One Tampa City Center
  • University of South Florida CAMLS
  • SunTrust Corporate Center
  • Ashley Furniture E-Commerce Facility
  • Amalie Arena
  • Tampa City Hall
  • Rivergate Tower
  • Bank of America Plaza
  • Hillsborough Community College - Ybor Campus

20-Ride Pass

Live or work along the streetcar line? Residents and workers can purchase a special 20-ride pass for only $25! That's 50% off the regular fare. Click here for a list of sales outlets.

Looking Ahead

Currently, the City of Tampa is working with the Florida Department of Transportation to study a possible extension and modernization of the streetcar line.

From Amalie Arena, to the Aloft Hotel, HART Takes You There.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Kick off the New Year with the TECO Line Streetcar!

Firework display scheduled at Midnight
The Tampa skyline will light up Tuesday night in celebration of the New Year with thousands watching from Channelside and the Riverwalk.

The fireworks can be seen from a number of locations along the river, but the party will be at Channelside. The 11th Annual "Light Up Tampa Bay" begins at 6 p.m. with hours of DJs spinning in the courtyard.

The TECO Line Streetcar System is your best bet to avoid the expected traffic and parking nightmare. Park in Ybor and take the streetcar to Channelside (Hop off at the Tampa Tribune Station) or the Riverwalk (HSBC Station or Dick Greco Plaza). The streetcar will operate until 1 a.m. (Channelside fireworks display scheduled to begin at Midnight). Click here for a map of the Downtown network of services, including streetcar and HART local service.

Should you plan on driving to the festivities...

American Automobile Association (AAA) offers a complimentary "Tipsy Tow" service for those that might have had too much holiday "cheer" this year. The service is available to everyone, meaning you don't have to be a AAA member. Call 1-800-AAA-HELP (you might want to save this number in your phone now) and a tow truck will come out and tow you and your car home safely - for FREE.  AAA has received over 28,000 "Tipsy Tow" service calls since inception in 1998. Click here for more information on the program.

Whether you're enjoying your New Year's Eve with us or not, please be SAFE! 





New Year's Eve Service:

HART is operating on a Tuesday schedule for New Year's Eve. HART Customer Service Centers at University Area Transit Center and Marion Transit Center will be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. All other HART offices will be closed.

HART Customer Service will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and can be reached at (813) 254-4278.

New Year's Day Service:

HART is operating on a normal Sunday schedule for New Year's Day. HART Customer Service Centers at University Area Transit Center, HART on Franklin and Marion Transit Center will be closed. All other HART offices will be closed.

HART Customer Service will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at (813) 254-4278.

Click here for a rundown on what services will be in operation. 

The HART Administrative Office in Ybor will also be closed on Wednesday in observance of the New Year.

Safe travels in 2014!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Light Up Tampa Bay with the TECO Line Streetcar this New Year's Eve!

Fireworks over the Channel District
The Tampa skyline will light up this weekend in celebration of the New Year with thousands watching from Channelside and the Riverwalk.

The fireworks can be seen from a number of locations along the river, but the party will be at Channelside. "Light Up Tampa Bay" begins at 1 p.m. with 12 hours of live music and a ball drop. If you're keen on viewing the fireworks from the wharf area, it will be limited to 3,000 people with wristbands. Wristbands will be given out starting at 8:30 p.m.
Click for map of Downtown service

The TECO Line Streetcar is your best bet to avoid the expected traffic and parking nightmare. Park in Ybor and take the streetcar to Channelside (Hop off at the Tampa Tribune Station) or the Riverwalk (HSBC Station or Dick Greco Plaza). A map of the Downtown network of services can be found to the right.

Should you plan on driving to the festivities...

American Automobile Association (AAA) offers a complimentary "Tipsy Tow" service for those that might have had too much holiday "cheer" this year. The service is available to everyone, meaning you don't have to be a AAA member. Call 1-800-AAA-HELP (you might want to save this number in your phone now) and a tow truck will come out and tow you and your car home safely - for FREE.  AAA received 2,400 "Tipsy Tow" service calls in 2010.

Whether you're enjoying your New Year's Eve with us or not, please be SAFE! 





 New Year's Eve Service:

HART is operating on a normal Saturday schedule for New Year's Eve. HART Customer Service Centers at University Area Transit Center and Marion Transit Center will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. All other HART offices will be closed.

HART Customer Service will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at (813) 254-4278.

New Year's Day Service:

HART is operating on a normal Sunday schedule for New Year's Day. HART Customer Service Centers at University Area Transit Center, HART on Franklin and Marion Transit Center will be closed. All other HART offices will be closed.

HART Customer Service will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at (813) 254-4278.

Click here for a rundown on what services will be in operation. 

The HART Administrative Office in Ybor will also be closed on Monday in observance of the New Year.

Safe travels in 2012!