New automated people movers begin operating at Airsides A and C this week, marking the airport’s third generation of shuttle technology.
TAMPA, Fla. — Passengers traveling through Tampa International Airport will soon ride a brand-new generation of airport shuttles.
Airport leaders unveiled the upgraded automated people movers this week at Airsides A and C, part of a $61 million project to refurbish the shuttle guideways and replace cars that have been operating since the 1990s.
The new vehicles — manufactured by transportation company Alstom — will begin carrying passengers starting Friday morning.
“This will be our third generation of people movers here at TPA,” said Michael Stephens, CEO of Tampa International Airport. “[They’re] replacing cars that were installed in the 1990s and have run between our main terminal and the airsides for well over a million miles.”
The modernization project includes upgraded tracks, new control systems and eight new shuttle cars. Officials say the vehicles can travel up to 22 miles per hour and include design improvements aimed at making the ride smoother and more comfortable.
Frank Walker with Alstom said the cars represent the latest technology available for automated airport transit.
“This is the latest that the company has to offer for replacements of our older fleet,” Walker said. “They are literally the latest in technology, ride quality and environmental systems. It’s really a nice car.”
Airport officials say passengers will likely notice improvements immediately — especially when it comes to temperature and ride quality. The new windows include enhanced UV protection designed to reduce heat inside the cars.
“They definitely will notice a difference, both environmental control and ride quality,” Walker said. “It’s a really nice, pleasant ride.”
The upgrade also represents a reinvestment in one of the airport’s most recognizable features.
When Tampa International opened in 1971, its shuttle system was the first of its kind. The design — featuring a central terminal connected to separate airside terminals by automated trains — later inspired similar layouts at airports including Orlando, Detroit and Denver.
“You could expand, contract, move, do whatever you want without ever affecting any of the other airsides or the main terminal, which was actually brilliant,” Walker said.
According to Tampa International’s Chief Development Officer Smitha Radhakrishnan, the latest shuttle generation represents a significant leap forward in technology.
“The technology is far more advanced in this generation than the previous generations in terms of efficiency and reliability,” Radhakrishnan said. “It’s like comparing the Model T to a Tesla.”
The rollout of the new shuttles will happen gradually. The upgraded cars at Airsides A and C will enter service first, while the second track at those locations is expected to be upgraded by the end of the year.
Additional replacements are already planned for other parts of the airport. Airside E and the future Airside D — scheduled to open in 2028 — will receive new cars next, followed by Airside F later on.
The upgrades arrive as Tampa International enters one of its busiest travel periods of the year, with the airport expecting more than 3.1 million spring break travelers between now and April 13.