HART RIDERSHIP SCORES WITH FINAL FOUR

Hoops Fans Boost Ridership Over 17,000 for Game Week

April 10, 2008, Tampa, FL – The University of Tennessee Lady Vols aren’t the only champs of Tampa’s Final Four week. The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority’s downtown network of streetcars and rubber-wheel trolleys scored some high numbers of its own, with 17,765 combined rides during the event.
In-Town Trolley near Tampa Convention Center

For the six-day period between April 3 - 9, including the dates preceding and following the NCAA Women’s Final Four games played at the St. Pete Times Forum:

• Total ridership on the TECO Line Streetcar System was 14,839;
• Ridership on the In-Town Trolley routes totaled 2,926;
• The highest single ridership day was Tuesday, April 9, with 3,296 rides taken on the streetcar system;
• The average ridership for the week on both services combined was 2,961 rides per day.

The streetcar system and In-Town Trolley network provided a total of 54 extra service hours during the event to accommodate the increased traffic.

“We’re proud to have had a part in the success of the Women’s Final Four activities,” said HART CEO David Armijo. “The high demand for public transit during a major event like this illustrates the importance of quality transportation choices for our community.”

Streetcar at Southern Transportation Plaza

The TECO Line Streetcar System is managed by Tampa Historic Streetcar, Inc. and operated by the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) under contract to Tampa Historic Streetcar, Inc. The mission of Tampa Historic Streetcar, Inc. (THS) is to offer a dynamic new component to Tampa’s transportation system by providing attractive, reliable, comfortable, convenient and safe streetcar service to local residents and visitors alike.

The mission of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) is to provide public transportation services which are safe, dependable and cost effective, thereby enhancing the quality of life in our community.

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