Tampa International Airport is investing a combined $91 million to modernize its automated shuttle system, bringing new shuttle cars, technology and infrastructure upgrades to several of the airport’s airsides.
Travelers headed to or from Airsides A and C can now ride the new Red and Blue automated shuttles, which officially reopened to the public at the end of August following extensive guideway renovations and technology testing.
The brand-new Innovia APM 300 R shuttle cars are the third generation of automated transports to carry passengers between the Main Terminal and the airport’s airsides since TPA opened in 1971.
While the ride will feel familiar to TPA travelers, the new shuttles feature improved lighting, video information screens and doors with obstacle-detection systems.
TPA said it's the first airport in the world to pair the Innovia APM 300 R shuttles with Alstom’s new proprietary operating system. The upgrades also include new electrical running gear and concrete guideways.
The previous generation of shuttles was installed in the 1990s and traveled well over 1 million miles each before being replaced.
Airside E is also getting the same upgrades, with the new Red shuttle cars already installed and the Blue cars coming soon. Work on Airside E is scheduled to be completed later this year.
The guideway rehabilitation and shuttle car replacement project for Airsides A and C cost $61 million. The project includes design work, running surfaces, eight shuttle cars and their controls and signaling systems.
The Airside E replacement project includes four additional shuttle cars, new guideways and software systems and costs an additional $30 million. The projects are funded through bonds and state grants.
New shuttle cars have also been ordered for the forthcoming Airside D. Airside F, which currently has the newest shuttle cars among the airport’s airsides, is expected to receive new shuttles in the future.
