As Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama plans a visit to Tampa, drivers downtown are planning for the increased traffic volume.  Obama’s rally at the St. Pete Times Forum officially begins at noon today.  However, city officials are planning for delays throughout the downtown region, specifically Platt Street, Channelside Drive, Tampa Street from Kennedy Boulevard to Brorein Street, Morgan Street from Kennedy Boulevard to Channelside Drive and Channelside Drive from Twiggs Street to Cumberland Avenue from 9 to 3 p.m. 

To help remedy the congestion, HART officials have extended service.

In-Town Trolley Purple Line hours for Wednesday: 6 a.m.-11 a.m.; 2 p.m.-6 p.m.

TECO Line Streetcar System hours for Wednesday: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Fares
In-Town Trolley:

Adult One-Way: 50 cents
Discount* One-Way, 25 cents

TECO Line Streetcar System:
Adult One-Way, $2
Discount* One-Way, $1

*People 65 or older or 17 or younger, people with disabilities or Medicare cardholders. Children age 4 and younger ride free when no taller than the yellow height line and accompanied by a paying adult.

Exact change required to board.

In-Town Trolley Purple Line
TECO Line Streetcar System
People wishing to access downtown by transit can park in the Poe and Fort Brooke garages or parking lots on the north end of downtown and hop on the In-Town Trolley; or go to the Centro Ybor or Palm Avenue garages in Ybor City and ride the streetcar to Channelside, the Forum or the Southern Transportation Plaza near the convention center.

For a map of parking options in and around downtown Tampa, the Channel District and Ybor City, visit http://www.discoverintown.com and click on Maps.