Tampa — Better Than Expected

Rail Transit Online, December 2002

The first week of revenue service on the 2.3-mi. (3.7 km) TECO Line streetcar from downtown Tampa to historic Ybor City attracted nearly 7,100 riders, far more than expected.  Daily boardings at the 11 stations averaged 1,024 compared with the 958 estimated by consultants prior to opening on Oct. 21, with a high of 1,840 the first day and a low of 618 on Oct. 24.  “It takes time for people to know it's here,” Michael English, president of Tampa Historic Streetcar Inc., told The Tampa Tribune, adding he expected to see “major fluctuations” in ridership.  “You'll see big spikes when there are conventions in town.”  The mechanical malfunctions that occurred during opening weekend have all been resolved, and streetcar and city officials are attempting to improve synchronization of traffic signals to reduce delays.