If you plan on partying on New Year’s Eve in downtown Tampa or Ybor City and you think it might not be smart to drive, you might consider the streetcar. The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority is expanding streetcar service Thursday night and you can ride free on New Year’s Eve from 7:00 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. on the first day of 2016. WMNF News interviewed Ruthie Reyes Burckard, chief operating officer with HART:
“Our system is going to be running. We’re going to put out some extra vehicles that night to help some of the crowds. And, after 7:00 p.m., you can ride for free on the streetcar. So, if you’re coming down for any of the parades or activities in Ybor, and you’ve parked to see those events, feel free to jump on the streetcar and get down to Channelside to see the fireworks. And, we’ll be there when it’s done to get you back.”
The service ends that night at 1:30 a.m.?
“Ends at 1:30 a.m., but we do have a couple of rescue vehicles for some of the late partiers. And we’ll get them back.”
Watch the video here: