The Cross-Bay Ferry’s success revealed the potential for alternative forms of transportation in the Tampa Bay area. In Tampa, an intensive Streetcar extension project looks to connect residents and visitors to the city’s up and coming areas (i.e. Hyde Park Village, Tampa Heights).
Downtown Looper looks to extend operation hours
St. Pete’s trolley downtown looper hopes to do the same. The emergence of top food and retail spots throughout the 200 Block, the EDGE District, the Warehouse Arts and Grand Central District have spurred the desire for heightened and convenient connectivity, especially during the blistering summer months.
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By June of 2018, the looper hopes to add a third vehicle to its system — speculated to be one of PSTA’s electric buses — that will “fuel up” through inductive charging stations.
As of today, the trolley picks up passengers at St. Pete College, Courtyard Marriot, the open air post office, Florida Holocaust Museum, The Dali Museum, Hilton St. Pete, Sundial garage and Hampton Inn and Suites. There is also a free fare zone — ride free when you get-on and get-off at stops anywhere in the zone. These free fare spots include Beach Drive parking trolley station, Muvico, MFA, The Birchwood, The Vinoy, and the Chamber Visitor Center.
Inductive vehicles in the works for St. Pete
The extra vehicle will allow the system to provide more efficient service to the greatest areas of need, as expressed during public meetings. It will also allow the looper to extend its hours to 7am-10pm daily with midnight service still operating both Friday and Saturday.
Over the course of a year, Eric Carlson and the St. Pete Downtown Partnership will continue to work with the public, and the city to help identify what the Burg’s main transportation desires are.
Trolley to serve the surging Innovation District
The Burg’s up and coming Innovation District — a cluster of higher education, marine science, healthcare and media institutions — will be a main point of interest for the trolley. Added housing developments, and a new business incubator will generate a heightened need for public transportation in the area just south of St. Pete’s burgeoning downtown.
Currently, residents can board the trolley for just $.50, though, with the coming improvements, fares could be wiped out completely. Trolleys are available for rent for private parties. The system also provides service to Tampa Bay Rays home games.
Central Avenue Trolley sees increased ridership
One of the most popular routes is PSTA’s Central Avenue Trolley, which serves Central Avenue from the Pier parking lots downtown to Pass-A-Grille on St. Pete Beach. With the announcement that the city can officially begin construction on the new St. Pete Pier, its seems the Central Avenue Trolley’s significance to St. Pete will only grow.
Could we potentially see autonomous vehicles as a solution to the increased patronage? Tampa is currently looking into the technology for their own local transportation network. We wouldn’t mind seeing the future of transportation technology begin in the Sunshine City.
Keep with the St. Pete Downtown Partnership by following them on their website. You can also view the full trolley looper schedule online.
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