Tampa citizens, it's time to cheer and time to ponder. Another light rail system is slated to begin public operation this Saturday. This time it's Seattle Washington's Sound Transit Center Link. Official information is available here.
Folks are allowed to ride the train free this weekend as part of the celebratory grand opening. Of course we all know from hearing about previous weekend rail openings, not to mention our own opening of the Teco Line Streetcar back in '02, these opening rides are more for exhibition and celebration. Most folks will stand in line for up to an hour or more to get a one-way ride that will likely require a bus ride back. Fare service begin Monday at 5:00 AM.
Happy as we all must be for the folks up in Seattle, Tampa and Hillsborough grit at the example of yet another major metropolitan region getting theirs. All is not to lament, however. The Tampa Tribune ran Bay Area May be on Track for Rail today as an in-time stoke of encouragement.
Recent Tampa/Hillsborough Light Rail Development News
Just to show you I'm still paying attention here in NYC, here's a quick run down on the MSM news on urban rail development for the past few weeks:
All of this should leave everyone reading this post excited and demanding rail progress. If you want to crank up the noise, why not join the latest Facebook Group administered by Patricia Kemp, Bring Light Rail to Hillsborough County. Way to go Patricia! 72 members in just one week, and, it's clearly the fastest local FB group covering the topic in Hillsborough County.
Rail will be real in Tampa but we must all stay energized and proactive in making it happen. Those politicians and organizations in Hillsborough County that support rail and fight for rail must not be let down! Being vocal (and voting where it counts, of course), makes a difference!