Tampa — Subsidy Vote Postponed

October 2014

The Tampa Bay Times reported that the Tampa Bay Port Authority has postponed a vote to provide Tampa's vintage trolley system with a six figure subsidy. The Authority asked the nonprofit operator of the streetcar system to present a business plan before the authority considers matching or increasing the $100,000 subsidy it paid in 2012.

A board member requested that a consultant be hired to review operations and draft a business plan.

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn agreed with the request but emphasized the need to keep the trolleys running as new commercial and residential developments are being constructed at various points along the line. He said that the trolley needs to continue as one day the downtown area will be able to support it.