TAMPA, Fla. — The TECO Line Streetcar has seen record ridership over the last several months.

In June, more than 91,000 people took the streetcar, according to Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART), which is the largest number ever for the month of June — something TECO Streetcar operator Shawn Massey saw firsthand.

He said his job has turned him into an unofficial tour guide for the city.

“Every day is different — you see a lot of tourism,” said Massey. “We’re the ambassadors of Tampa. A lot of people ask a lot of questions — they come in and we give them that information.”

Officials at HART point to recent big events downtown, like the Tampa Bay Lightning playoff run and big conventions, to explain at least some of the surge in ridership.

However, also more people are moving to downtown, which Massey says he hears a lot of from passengers.

“It’s good," Massey said. "Let’s me see the that the city is growing in the right direction."

The TECO Line Streetcar runs 2.7 miles, linking downtown Tampa to Ybor City, and is free to ride.

Officials with the city of Tampa and HART say they are continuing to look at ways to expand the service to other areas, especially as ridership grows.