Tampa — Streetcar Gets Financial Lifeline

Rail Transit Online, November 2011

The Tampa Port Authority board has agreed to give the nonprofit Tampa Historic Streetcar Inc. $50,000 annually for two years, giving the trolley operator some financial breathing room.

The port had been contributing $150,000 annually but last August decided to cut its subsidy to zero because the 2.7-mi. (4.34 km) streetcar connecting downtown with Ybor City has nothing to do with shipping. With 10 percent of its annual budget axed, streetcar officials voted to take more money out of their dwindling trust fund, cut staff and slash service effective Oct. 1; headways were reduced from 15 min. to 20 min. and cars don't start running until noon.

"This support will help preserve the same level of streetcar service for the foreseeable future," David Mechanik, president of the Tampa Historic Streetcar Board, told The Tampa Tribune.