Tampa International Airport People Movers

Tampa International Airport People Movers

Company type	Transportation system
Industry	Airport transit
Founded	1971
Headquarters	Tampa , United States
Products	Automated people mover networks

The Tampa International Airport People Movers consist of automated people mover networks operating within Tampa International Airport. The main automated guideway transit (AGT) lines facilitate travel between the central terminal and four satellite airsides. Introduced in 1971, these landside/airside shuttles were pioneering as the first airport terminal people mover systems. A fifth route, known as SkyConnect, began service in 2018, providing a connection between the main terminal and both the economy parking area and rental car facility. Furthermore, a monorail system ran from 1991 until its closure in 2020, linking the main terminal with long-term parking.

Landside/Airside shuttles

Four AGT shuttle lines operate between the main terminal (Level 3) and airsides A, C, E, and F. Each route comprises two parallel guideways separated by an emergency walkway that serves for evacuation or pedestrian use if the shuttles experience interruptions. On each guideway, a two-car train—distinguished by red and blue colors—utilizes Innovia APM 100 vehicles manufactured by Bombardier Transportation. These shuttles continuously shuttle passengers back and forth between the terminal and respective airsides. Boarding occurs on an island platform positioned between the guideways, while disembarking takes place on side platforms. Platforms at the main terminal are equipped with platform screen doors, whereas airside platforms use steel doors. Vehicle servicing is conducted at airside stations where maintenance bays are situated beneath the guideways.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has recorded welcome messages for travelers aboard these shuttles; similarly, her predecessor Bob Buckhorn provided such announcements during his administration.

History

Upon its inauguration in 1971, Tampa International Airport introduced the first automated people mover system within an airport environment through its landside/airside shuttle network. Developed by Westinghouse Electric Corporation, this initial system connected Airsides B, C, D, and E with eight first-generation Westinghouse C-100 vehicles. The original audio announcements for the shuttles were delivered by local WFLA radio host Jack Harris.

The airport’s innovative landside/airside configuration significantly reduced walking distances for passengers and served as a model later replicated by Orlando International Airport, which implemented similar Westinghouse-built landside/airside shuttles in 1981.

In 1987, Airside F was introduced along with a new shuttle line utilizing second-generation C-100 vehicles operating in two-car formations. The Airside F station was constructed on the second level of the airside building to align directly with boarding jetways. This design was enabled by advancements in vehicle technology allowing better handling of inclines, thus eliminating the need for passengers to descend to a lower level—a feature adopted by subsequent airsides.

Airside B ceased operations permanently in 1991 and was succeeded by Airside A in 1995. The shuttle system at Airside A has operated exclusively with CX-100 vehicles (currently identified as Innovia APM 100) configured as two-car trains since its opening. After Airside B’s closure, its shuttles remained inactive until demolition of the airside in 2003; remnants of its guideway continue to exist unused.

Renovations carried out in 1996 at Airsides C and D included replacing original vehicles with CX-100 models along with other enhancements. At that time, the original Airside E was closed, retiring the last of the initial C-100 vehicles.

Airside E was reconstructed in 2002 featuring CX-100 two-car trains. Shortly thereafter, Airside C underwent demolition and rebuilding while reusing much of its original guideway infrastructure. Its CX-100 vehicles from 1996 were refurbished and reinstated when Airside C reopened in April 2005.

One month following this reopening, Airside D was permanently closed; its refurbished CX-100 vehicles were transferred to Airside C to increase shuttle capacity with two-car trains. Although Airside D was demolished in 2007, much of its shuttle infrastructure remained intact until removal in 2019.

In 2008, Bombardier replaced Airside F’s second-generation C-100 vehicles with their CX-100 models after acquiring Westinghouse’s transportation division.

During a renovation of the main terminal in 2018, shuttle stations were moved outward on Level 3 to create more central space. The updated stations now feature glass platform screen doors, replacing older metal ones. The disused Airside D shuttle station was dismantled and replaced by a food court; remaining guideways were demolished by 2019.

Future Developments

Tampa International Airport is in the process of building a new Airside D, which will include an updated shuttle system, with an anticipated completion date set for 2028. Construction has already commenced on a new shuttle station within the main terminal.

Additionally, the airport is modernizing the shuttle fleets serving Airsides A and C, which have been operational since the mid-1990s. Alstom, having acquired Bombardier's transportation division in 2021, is scheduled to deliver Innovia APM 300R trains starting in 2025. This initiative also involves refurbishing the guideways. The Innovia APM 300R vehicles will be utilized for the new Airside D shuttle and are expected to be introduced on Airsides E and F before the decade concludes.

SkyConnect

SkyConnect serves as a people mover system connecting the main terminal with both the rental car center and the economy parking garage. It comprises three stations located at Level 4 of the main terminal, the economy parking garage, and the rental car center, which provides access to budget rental options and a remote curbside pickup area. The guideway primarily follows George J. Bean Parkway and passes beneath Taxiway J to link these locations. Launched in 2018, SkyConnect was developed in conjunction with these related infrastructure projects.

Distinct from landside-to-airside shuttles, SkyConnect operates Mitsubishi Crystal Mover vehicles arranged in a pinched-loop configuration that runs continuously between its three stations.

Long-Term Parking Monorail (no longer in service)

Previously, an automated monorail connected Level 5 of the main terminal to the long-term parking garage, making stops at each elevator bank. Installed alongside the garage in 1991, this system employed six Bombardier UM III vehicles (now known as Innovia Monorail 100), similar to those used on the Jacksonville Skyway.

The monorail operated on level 7 within the long-term parking garage, looping among four elevator banks before crossing a bridge to level 5 of the short-term parking garage, where it made three additional stops prior to returning. Bombardier provided maintenance services while operations were monitored from the airport’s communications center. The system functioned continuously around the clock except during weekly overnight maintenance periods. In 2008, its computer control system was upgraded by Thales Rail Signalling Solutions.

Following its closure in early 2020, the airport decided against replacing this expensive monorail system. Instead, moving walkways are being installed on Level 4 of the long-term parking garage to enhance pedestrian access to the main terminal via a connecting bridge to Level 3.

See also

• Harbour Island People Mover
• Orlando International Airport People Movers
• List of airport people mover systems