The TECO Line Streetcar celebrated one million riders by surprising a lucky rider with a prize pack featuring a $100 gift card donated by the Columbia Restaurant. The lucky rider, Arpan, rides the Streetcar five days a week to medical school and was on his way to USF Health Morsani College of Medicine when staff surprised him as the millionth rider.
“I appreciate it. I take it (the Streetcar) every day to med school and it’s very useful,” said Arpan.
The TECO Line Streetcar has seen quite a resurgence this year. It broke the previous annual ridership record of 850,788 trips in 2019 and setting all-time monthly ridership records.
Related: Tampa Bay History: The Tampa Streetcar
“We are elated to celebrate a milestone of million rides this year,” said Michael English, President, Tampa Historic Streetcar. “It is quite an achievement to set an all-time ridership record just out of a pandemic which at one point saw the Streetcar only operating essential service.”
The TECO Line Streetcar will celebrate 20 years of service in October 2022.
The future of the streetcar in Tampa Bay looks bright. The system now serves mostly tourists and bar hoppers. But the City of Tampa wants the streetcar to become a legitimate transportation option. One that serves the needs of residents, workers, visitors, and students in downtown Tampa, Ybor City, Channel District, and surrounding neighborhoods. The City plans to expand and modernize the Tampa Streetcar system. This will be a partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART).
