Tampa Tesla Tango Tops SF Tussle

While San Francisco was wrangling with wayward Cruise robotaxis last week - after greenlighting the introduction of commercial robotaxi services, Tampa announced a modest mobility initiative emphasizing a human element. The Tampa Downtown Area Shared Hubs (DASH) program, set for an October launch, will feature six human-driven, yellow-colored Tesla Model Y SUVs operating between 20 hub/pickup-dropoff locations for last mile trips within the two square miles of the city.

The elegant simplicity of the concept follows in the footsteps of an earlier successful initiative called the Downtowner which ran from 2016-2021 - terminating once funding ran out. The new service will be funded by local taxes and fees and modest fares and will serve seven districts including the Downtown Core, the Downtown River Arts Neighborhood Association, Encore, Water Street, the Channel District, West River, and Tampa Heights. The service will not include airport runs.

The program is the brainchild of the Tampa Downtown Partnership, a nonprofit that manages the downtown district through an agreement with the city. The model is a stark contrast to San Francisco's lack of control over the deployment of robotaxis and ride hailing vehicles from Cruise and Waymo, and Uber and Lyft, respectively.

The California Public Utilities Commission's approval of Cruise and Waymo service expansion comes at the expense of taxis, limousines, and ride hailing operators in San Francisco. According to a report in Automotive News, the city may control the licensing and policing of the taxi fleet, but the State of California has sole authority over robotaxi and ride hailing operators.

Tampa's DASH initiative is intended to supplement rather than disrupt or compete with existing mobility options in downtown Tampa. The drivers will be trained to act as "downtown ambassadors" guiding passengers to popular local destinations while also serving as eyes and ears for the city. Tampa was motivated to bring back this local service due to the high demand for the Downtowner when it was in operation.

Riders will be able to access the service via an app, with hubs typically located within 2-3 block walking distances. The city expects riders to share, with room for up to four passengers at a time in the Tesla vehicles.

The hub-based system creates some intriguing possibilities - such as the introduction of Tesla-based robotaxis or even shuttles. But, again, Tampa has opted for inclusion of the human element in the form of human drivers - so robotaxis would not appear to be in the cards in the short-term.

The use of human drivers and hubs, discounted fares, and limiting the scope to last-mile downtown-area trips is a compelling concept for enhancing urban mobility. It also highlights the reality that the operation of robotaxis in San Francisco and elsewhere is neither an enhancement nor a supplement to existing mobility options - it is a disruption.

San Francisco and other cities are adding robotaxis - which will likely compete with taxi and ride hailing operators - with no commitment on the part of operators to serve disadvantaged populations or otherwise fill gaps in the urban mobility landscape. Robotaxis, in effect, particularly in San Francisco, are an under-regulated displacer of existing operators.

The best element of the Tampa initiative is the fact that Tampa is in charge of its own mobility future. Clearly the city is experimenting with new service options and concepts to better serve residents and tourists alike without disrupting existing mobility options. That is a model worth emulating. Cities should be in charge of their mobility options. San Francisco's failure - imposed by the state - is a case study in how not to manage mobility.