The TECO Line Streetcar Hits All-Time Annual Ridership Record

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.

HART Receives FDOT Grant to Keep the TECO Line Streetcar Fare-Free

Streetcar operating near Centro Ybor in Ybor City

HART is pleased to announce the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has awarded HART a Commuter Assistance grant totaling $700,000. The FDOT grant will permit the TECO Line Streetcar to remain fare-free for an additional year.

The TECO Line Streetcar has routinely broken ridership records since FDOT awarded HART a $2.7 million Innovation Grant in 2018 allowing the Streetcar to go fare-free and expand service - increased frequency and service hours.

"HART is very excited to receive this FDOT grant to keep the TECO Line Streetcar fare-free," said Scott Drainville, Interim HART Chief Executive Officer. "HART appreciates the continued support of Secretary Gwynn and FDOT staff in identifying grant funding for the Streetcar."

In addition to FDOT, the TECO Line Streetcar is funded by the City of Tampa, the Downtown Community Redevelopment Areas (CRAs), and the Tampa Downtown Partnership. HART will work with the partners to hopefully identify funding to keep the Streetcar fare-free for the foreseeable future.

The TECO Line Streetcar System has carried 1,249,511 passenger trips so far in FY2023.

TECO Line Streetcar Service to Increase Frequency Starting Sunday

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. For more information on the TECO Line Streetcar, visit TECOLineStreetcar.org.