Ah, the not-so-new, but always improving TECO streetcar. It conveniently gets us Loafers from our Ybor office to downtown Tampa and plays host to a free monthly concert series curated by Gasparilla Music Festival. What’s more is that the streetcar does it for free, too.
The only problem? Despite posted schedules, you never know when it’s really coming to pick you up. Well, not anymore, my friend.
The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit system has linked its trolley cars to the OneBusAway Tampa app, which provides users with real-time arrival information. And you don’t necessarily have to download anything, either.
The app or mobile browser are definitely the easiest ways to use OneBusAway; all they require the user to do is access the search feature and use “800,” the streetcar's route number, to unveil real-time travel information by stop and also see where the streetcar is on a live map.
Anyone low on data can also text or use a touchtone phone to access information. More user instructions are available via HART.
This article appears in Jan 31 – Feb 7, 2019.