Tampa — Streetcar Extension Opens Dec. 19

Rail Transit Online, December 2010

A four-block extension of the 2.3-mi. (3.7 km) TECO Line streetcar from the convention center to Whiting Street in downtown Tampa will open on Dec. 19. The $5.5-million project, which began construction about 18 months ago, is designed to boost lagging ridership and reduce public subsidy.

Now that an endowment to help pay for streetcar operations that once contained $4.75 million is almost exhausted, city officials and consultants have suggested further cost-cutting and boosting advertising revenue to resolve the financial problem.