Tampa Street Car

The Tampa Street Car is Losing Money. The Rail- Like Transport vehicle that runs from the Downtown YMCA to Harbour Island around to the Marriott Waterside and the Channelside area then down to Ybor City.  My friends and I have used it for Hockey Games, "Guys Night Out" in Ybor and other small events. The Tampa Convention Bureau believes that the Tampa Street Car has sold groups on Tampa.  I tend to agree.  I was part of a few groups that chose San Diego for its Street Car and the Gas Light Area, which is very simillar to Ybor if I must say.  The street car, even if its a Money Loser, is helping Tampa Business.

Our current Mayor, Bob Buckhorn, voted against the Street Car when he was on the City Council. Many of his views on it have come true.  But I would add, as a push back, that Street Car has been misused.  It should be & should have been promoted as a Transportation Tool, not just a Tourist "Icon".  The Street Cars were in Major use in Tampa before General Motors forced cars on the residents of Tampa.  We all have forgotten that. If we promoted the Street Car and expanded its service area, like a leg that includes residental areas of Ybor & Harbour Island as well as a leg that services the North Side of Downtown, the Street Car would become a Mass transit vehicle.  A Mass Transit Vehicle that people would use.  In the Face of $4 & possibly $5 a gallon gas, now is not the time to make cuts in any Transportation area. I hope Mr. Buckhorn sticks with the Street Car.  It can work better, losing Money every year is a problem, it does bring Tampa Business and it can become a jewel in Tampa's Crown. We all have to buy in to it.