The TECO Line Streetcar smashed the all-time annual ridership record in FY2023 (October 1, 2022 - September 30, 2023) with 1,315,103 passenger trips.
It was the highest annual ridership in over 20 years of TECO Line Streetcar service.
The TECO Line Streetcar has broken several monthly ridership records over the past year including the best month in the Streetcar's modern history with 127,863 passenger trips reported in March 2023.
The record ridership is attributed to an increase in frequency to every 12 minutes during peak hours, population growth along the streetcar line, and near-record tourism to Tampa.
"We are elated to be celebrating another year of record ridership on the Streetcar," said Scott Drainville, Interim CEO, Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART). "The success of the Streetcar is a result of our community coming together to invest in public transportation."
The TECO Line Streetcar is a partnership between HART, the City of Tampa, and Tampa Historic Streetcar, Inc. October 2023 marks 21 years since the iconic yellow
streetcars returned to Tampa streets.
Starting this Sunday, March
19, 2023, the TECO Line Streetcar System is increasing peak hour
service Friday through Sunday.
The TECO Line Streetcar currently operates every 15 minutes.
However, starting on Sunday, service frequency increases to every 12
minutes during peak hours to accommodate the large, standing-room-only
crowds the Streetcar experiences on the weekends. The Streetcar continues
to break ridership records and carried over a million riders in
FY2022.
The new enhanced streetcar service will be effective Friday
through Sunday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. The enhanced streetcar service is possible thanks to increased
funding from the Downtown, Channel District and Ybor City Community
Redevelopment Areas (CRAs) and the Tampa Downtown Partnership.
"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".
The TECO Line Streetcar System operating hours beginning
Sunday, March 19, 2023:
Monday - Thursday:
7 a.m.
- 11 p.m., every 15 minutes
Friday:
7 a.m.
- 1 p.m., every 15 minutes
1 p.m.
- 9 p.m., every 12 minutes
9 p.m.
- 2 a.m., every 15 minutes
Saturday:
8:30
a.m. - 1 p.m., every 15 minutes
1 p.m.
- 9 p.m., every 12 minutes
9 p.m.
- 2 a.m., every 15 minutes
Sunday:
8:30
a.m. - 1 p.m., every 15 minutes
1 p.m.
- 9 p.m., every 12 minutes
9 p.m.
- 11 p.m., every 15 minutes
The TECO Line Streetcar is an agreement between HART, the City
of Tampa, and Tampa Historic Streetcar, Inc. and includes the Florida
Department of Transportation, the Downtown, Channel District, and Ybor City CRAs and the Tampa Downtown Partnership as funding partners.
The most exciting time in college basketball is here! Tampa plays host to the Women's College Basketball Semi-Final and Championship at Amalie Arena. HART would like to offer a big welcome to all the athletes, students and fans that are in town to see a champion crowned! Tampa has a number of attractions and things to do while in town.
Use HART to get to the following Tampa attractions:
Five HART routes serve Tampa International Airport
Flying out? HART has five routes serving Tampa International Airport, seven days a week. Plan your trip on HART!
Visitor Pass
A 3-day Visitor Unlimited HARTride card is your best bet at only $11.75 and valid on all HART local buses and vans.
Real-time Service Information OneBusAway Tampa provides real-time arrival for HART bus and TECO Line Streetcar service. The free app is available in Android/Apple stores, as well as, on mobile browsers and via text message and touch-tone phone.
The 2.7-mile streetcar serves Ybor, the Channel District and downtown
TECO Line Streetcar Service
The TECO Line Streetcar System is FREE to ride and operates on 2.7 miles of rails, connecting historic Ybor City, the Channel District (Sparkman Wharf, Florida Aquarium), and downtown Tampa.
With 2019 fast approaching, many are looking towards the New Year as a fresh start. However, we at HART are looking to continue building on the successes of the past year.
Year in Review
February Service Changes
In 2017, HART "reset" the system network with Mission MAX, establishing a stable foundation for expansion. February 2018 marked a significant step toward HART's five-year goal of ten routes with 15-minute service or better.
Flamingo Fares testing is underway
Flamingo Fares Testing
Our regional transit fare app and smart card payment system took a giant leap in 2018 with the start of public testing! While HART and PSTA have been testing the first generation of the Flamingo Fares app since 2016, this is the first test involving the Flamingo Fares smart card and web-based accounts.
Since the launch of testing in March, thousands of taps have been recorded and the second generation of the Flamingo Fares app is now in the testing phase. Flamingo Fares will fully launch to the public in 2019.
Route 275LX
Summertime typically means a slower pace with vacation-filled offices and schools out. However, summer 2018 saw the launch of HART's FIRST seven-day-a-week inter-county service, the Route 275LX. The new all-day, limited-stop service launched on July 1st, operating between Wesley Chapel and Tampa International Airport, with stops in New Tampa, the University area, and downtown Tampa. The Route 275LX has seen an 83% increase in monthly ridership (10,910 rides in October) since launching in July.
MVP Express
After years of requests for express/shuttle service to local sporting events, HART launched the MVP Express in November! This premium service allows Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans to park at four convenient park-and-ride locations and hop on the MVP Express to Raymond James Stadium. All for only $10 round-trip, per person! The MVP Express is currently a pilot and will be evaluated and possibly expanded to other local sports after the NFL season has ended.
New Era of Transit
Free fares launched on Oct. 7, 2018
Streetcar Fare-Free and Enhanced Service
It's possible no other individual route or transit mode in Tampa Bay has seen as drastic a change as the TECO Line Streetcar System in 2018.
In June, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announced a game-changing $2.7 million grant to make the TECO Line Streetcar FARE-FREE with enhanced morning/late night service and increased frequencies for three years. The new service kicked off on October 7 with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a fresh new marketing strategy that represents HART's vision for the Streetcar - Free. Fun. Frequent. Totally Tampa!
It has been well received, with ridership up over 120% from last year!
InVision: Tampa Streetcar - Streetcar Extension and Modernization Study
The future looks even brighter as HART is currently partnering with the City of Tampa and FDOT on a study evaluating possible extension alignments and the feasibility of modernizing the current
heritage streetcar system. The City completed the first phase in Spring 2018 by identifying two north/south extension alignment options - a combination of Tampa St./Franklin St. and Florida Ave. The line would stretch through the core of downtown, near HART's main transit hub in Marion Transit Center, and north to Tampa Heights.
In June, the City received approval from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to enter Project Development phase to select a preferred alternative and refine improvement plans and strategies. The City will submit a Small Starts request for federal funding in September 2019.
Transit Referendum
Yes, we definitely saved the best for last! It's no secret that transportation has been on the minds of most in Hillsborough County for quite some time. The Tampa Bay region as a whole being seen more to put plans on shelves, than pen to paper.
However, that changed on Election Day as voters (overwhelmingly) approved a 1-cent sales taxincrease to support transportation, including a mix of roads, public transportation, pedestrian, cycling, etc.
All of us at HART are incredibly humbled by this level of support and have already released our proposed short-term service improvement plan, which features speeding up the implementation of the first three years of the FY2019-2023 Transit Development Plan to 2019.
HART as an agency in 2017, revisited our infrastructure and established a blueprint for an improved transportation network in Hillsborough County. This strategic plan allowed HART to overhaul its route system and build up that foundation in 2018, as we aligned for the future.
The agency turns 40 in 2019, with the year poised to be HART's most celebrated yet, as we enter a new era of excellence.
We look forward to seeing you on board one of our buses, vans, or streetcars in the New Year!
FREE WiFi now available on the TECO Line Streetcar!
For roughly a year, HART riders have been able to check emails, stream music or crush candy on
their commute thanks to free WiFi on all fixed-route buses. And now, TECO Line Streetcar passengers will be able to leave their mobile data worries behind with FREE high-speed WiFi, while on board!
In addition to on board buses and streetcars, FREE WiFi has also expanded to HART transit and transfer locations:
Marion Transit Center (MTC) - 1211 N. Marion St
University Area Transit Center (UATC) - 13110 N. 27th St
Netp@rk Transfer Center - 5003 N. 56th St.
Northwest Transfer Center 9325 W. Waters Ave
The process is the same as on a HART bus. To
connect to HART WiFi, go to Settings > WiFi. Then, turn on WiFi, if
it isn't already turned on. Your device will automatically search for
available WiFi networks. Next, tap the name, HART-Patrons-OTC WiFi
Network to access the free service. Please be courteous to your
neighbors, and wear earbuds when watching videos or listening to music.
WiFi is actually a piece of a bigger puzzle at HART. Ultimately, this
roll-out of WiFi technology will be the foundation of the upcoming
smart card program, where passengers will be able to use their smart phones and
dedicated account based cards to travel not only the HART system, but
throughout the Tampa Bay region.
In addition to the Streetcar and HART buses, free WiFi will be installed on HARTFlex and HARTPlus vehicles in the near future as well.
Connect to WiFi in 3 easy steps!
It's another way that HART keeps pace with your busy
life. Stay productive on-the-go and let us do the driving! The expansion
of WiFi is yet another reason for choosing HART, whether someone is
going to work, to school or to the store.
If you have any questions or comments about our WiFi service,
please contact Customer Service at (813) 254-HART (4278).
Wherever you're heading, HART Takes You There.
* Please note that the WiFi signal is shared with other
customers, so at busy times, your connection may be slower than normal.
FREE rides to the "Light Up Tampa Bay Independence Day Celebration" at
Channelside Bay Plaza! The TECO Line Streetcar System will operate from noon-midnight on Tuesday, with free fares beginning at 4:00 p.m.
The fireworks display begins at 9:00 p.m., with live music
starting earlier in the day. The event draws a HUGE crowd, so it is suggested that
visitors arrive a couple hours early in order to get a good viewing
spot. Only the first 3,500 people will be able to see the fireworks from
the Wharf area of Channelside, with wristbands being handed out.
Channelside Bay Plaza is located at Amalie Arena Station
Officials suggest taking The TECO Line Streetcar System to avoid congestion and limited parking that Channelside will experience with thousands converging on the area.
Don't
worry about getting stranded! The TECO Line Streetcar System has free
service until midnight for Independence Day to ensure you get to your
car safely!
Suggested parking garages are the Palm Avenue garage in Ybor City or the
Ft. Brooke garage in downtown, both garages are less than a block from
the TECO Line Streetcar System. Click here for an interactive map of downtown/Ybor City showing the relation of the parking garages to the streetcar line.
HART bus and van service will be operating on a Sunday schedule in observance of Independence Day.
Visit TECOlinestreetcar.org for TECO Line Streetcar System fares, maps and schedules.
Take The Streetcar to the Pride festivities in Ybor this Saturday!
The Tampa Pride Festival and Parade takes place in Ybor City this Saturday, March 25!
A street festival with live music, local vendors/food and more begins at 9:45
a.m. with the parade following at 1:00 p.m.
The event is expected to draw over 20,000 to Ybor City for the day. Expect
parking and traffic to be a hassle with street closures. Avoid this by parking
in downtown Tampa or the Channel District and taking The TECO Line Streetcar!
Only $5.00 for all-day pass, with a special $12.50 Family Pass
also available. Streetcar service begins at 11:00 a.m.
Routes 2,5,8,9,12,18 will be on detour
Please note: TECO Line Streetcar System service will be affected by the Tampa
Pride Festival and Parade. Stations 1-4 will be closed until roughly 7:00 p.m., due to the event. Streetcar service will operate from a temporary station in front of the HART Ybor Streetcar Barn from 11:45 a.m. until the end of the
event.
HART route(s) 2,5,8,9,12,18 will also be on detour due to the event.
Ybor has PRIDE! Enjoy the day and get there with HART and
The TECO Line Streetcar System.
For more information on the event, visit Tampa Pride.
Streetcar morning service will cease March 25th, following the end of a six-month pilot exploring potential demand for "commuter" streetcar service. HART funded the six-month pilot that was scheduled for September 27-March 24.
Here is what we learned:
Daily AM Streetcar Ridership Per Hour During Pilot
Ridership during "rush hour" averaged roughly from 2.9 - 5.9 riders per hour
As you can see from the graph, early morning commuters didn't take to the service as we had hoped, but the service fared well beginning around 9 a.m. This could be related to Ybor City and Downtown Tampa's retail, restaurant, and hotel sectors. We will do a deeper dive into the data from the pilot.
For those now hooked on the car-free commute, the route 8 roughly parallels the TECO Line Streetcar System and may make a great option! Service to Downtown Tampa begins at 5:10 a.m. and operates every 30 minutes. A one-day pass is only $4.00. Visit www.goHART.org for more information.
Stay involved in the process!
A study is underway to look at modernizing and extending the Streetcar
The City of Tampa, the Florida Department of Transportation, and HART are looking at ways to make the TECO Line Streetcar System a viable commuting option in Ybor City, Downtown Tampa, and beyond. A feasibility study is currently underway to look at the possible extension and modernization of the TECO Line Streetcar System.
Here is where you come in! The next brainstorming session will be held April 4th at the Tampa Bay History Center from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Share your thoughts and be a part of the process.
Please also take this online survey regarding the Streetcar.
The momentum is there. As downtown grows by leaps and bounds, so will the need for expanded transit options and alternative commutes.
The Streetcar makes an intimate and historic venue!
Recently engaged and looking for a historic and intimate venue to get married to your significant other? Better yet, at no cost?
The TECO Line Streetcar System wants to make a couple's dreams come true!
Have a great love story to share? We want to hear it! Share your story with the TECO Line Streetcar System Facebook page and you could be chosen to receive a FREE* streetcar charter and party/bar setup on us!
Love stories must be submitted by February 28, 2017 to be considered. *Streetcar charter date, length, itinerary, etc. will be determined after meeting with the selected couple. Expenses such as an officiant, decorations, etc. are the responsibility of the selected couple.
The historic TECO Line Streetcar System has been lucky enough to be a part of a number of couple's big days. Serving wedding reception venues such as the Florida Aquarium, The Ritz Ybor, The Vault, and more, the TECO Line Streetcar System is also perfect for wedding reception transportation, as well as, wedding party photos.
Those interested in streetcar charters can visit the Group Travel page on the TECO Line Streetcar website.
New Year's Eve is coming up and we've got a big time
college football bonanza to bring in the New Year!
HART and the TECO Line Streetcar System would like to
welcome all the University of Florida and University of Iowa coaches, players
and fans to Tampa for the 2017 Outback Bowl!
We understand the difficulties in attempting to navigate the
local public transportation scene without an idea on what to see and do and how
to get there. So, we created this guide that breaks down some of Tampa's best
attractions and how to get there with HART and the TECO Line Streetcar!
Use HART to get to the following Tampa attractions and avoid
the parking hassles:
Busch Gardens -
Routes 5, 18, 39
Lowry Park Zoo -
Routes 41, 45
Florida Aquarium -
Route 8, the TECO Line Streetcar
Channelside Bay
Plaza (Dining, retail, Splitsville) - Route 8, the TECO Line Streetcar
Ybor City Historic
District (Centro Ybor) - Routes 8, 5, 8, 9, 12, 18, 46, and the TECO Line Streetcar
International
Plaza (Shopping) - 15, 30
Museum of Science
and Industry (MOSI) - Route 6
Amalie Arena - Route 8, The In-Towner, TECO Line Streetcar
David A. Straz Jr.
Center - 7, 10, 14, The In-Towner
Tampa Convention
Center - Route 4, 19, In-Towner, TECO Line Streetcar
Tampa Museum of
Art - Routes 7, 10, 14, In-Towner
Tampa Theatre -
Route 4, 8, 19, 30, 46, In-Towner
Glazer's Children
Museum - Routes 7, 10, 14, In-Towner
University of
South Florida - Routes 5, 6, 18, MetroRapid
Westshore Plaza
(Shopping) - Routes 15, 30, 45, HARTFlex South Tampa
Raymond James
Stadium (Home of the Outback Bowl) - Routes 7, 32, 36, 41, 45
Only $2.00 for a one-way ride! Planning to travel multiple days? A 3-day Visitor Unlimited HARTride card is your best bet at
only $11.75 and valid on all HART local buses, MetroRapid, In-Towner and the TECO
Line Streetcar System. Visit www.goHART.org for fares, maps, and schedules.
RIDER TIPS:
Get real-time HART arrival information and trip planning by downloading the OneBusAway Tampa app! Pay your fare and travel between HART and PSTA (in Pinellas) with the Flamingo Fares app! In-Towner: The FREE In-Towner is a rubber-wheel trolley that operates on a 15-minute frequency (30-minute on Saturday), serving popular locations in
downtown Tampa. Weekday service operates 6:30 - 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 -
6:00 p.m.; NYE Saturday service from 11 a.m. - 1 a.m.
The TECO Line Streetcar at Dick Greco Plaza
TECO Line
Streetcar System: The streetcar line runs on rails that connects
Ybor City, The Channel District, and Downtown Tampa. It operates 7 a.m.
- 10 p.m. Monday -
Thursday, 7 a.m. - 1:30 a.m. on Friday; 11 a.m. - 1:30 a.m. Saturdays; Noon - 8 p.m.
on
Sunday. Streetcar Operators do not provide change.
FREE* New Year's Eve Service
Spending
the New Year in Tampa? The TECO Line Streetcar
System will operate until 1:30 a.m. to serve those attending the
Fireworks Display at
Channelside Bay Plaza. The Streetcar will be FREE to ride on NYE after 7 p.m. Avoid the traffic
and parking hassle in the Channel District!
Click here for a map of downtown Tampa's network of public
transportation service, including streetcar stops, The In-Towner and
HART bus routes.
Flying out? Route 30 runs between downtown and Tampa
International Airport every 30 minutes on weekdays and weekends. Service begins
at 4:30 a.m. through midnight during the week and 6:30 a.m. to midnight on the
weekends.
A 3-day Visitor Unlimited HARTride card is your best bet at
only $11.75 and valid on all HART local buses, MetroRapid, In-Towner and the TECO
Line Streetcar System.
Have a great time watching the Gators and the Hawkeyes in the New Year's Day showdown and enjoy all
that Tampa has to offer!
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.
