Tampa — Ridership Exceeds Projections

Rail Transit Online, September 2003

The 2.5-mi. (4 km) heritage streetcar line linking Ybor City to the Channel District had carried over 370,000 riders between opening day last Oct. 19 and mid-August, approximately 30,000 more than projected.  Average daily ridership has now reached 1,300 compared with pre-launch estimates of 950.  Several extensions of the $56-million line — which is equipped with eight replica Birney cars supplied by Gomaco Trolley Co. — have been proposed but current Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio said the city will not contribute any more money.  “Phase two really depends on state and federal funding,” Iorio told the Tampa Tribune.