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Deep(er) Drive: The History of Public Transit in Pinellas County, Part 3

After the eventful merger of CPTA and SPMTS, the newly established Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority had very big shoes to fill and 40 years of innovation ahead.

The early era of the bus was fraught with many funding challenges as the United States government slowly established its role in funding mass transit projects. But now, with the existence of the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) (now called the Federal Transit Administration or FTA), the creation of federal grants, and approval for local funding, our favorite new transit system would have a much less bumpy ride ahead.

September 20. 2024

Deep(er) Drive: The History of Public Transit in Pinellas County, Part 2

The trolley era is almost behind us (for now), and mass transit in Pinellas County enters a new era: the time of the bus!

In the last episode, we explored how railroads brought the first residents to Pinellas County and how Frank A. Davis’ St. Petersburg and Gulf Railway Company got them around town on electric streetcars. From 1900 to the 1940s, the streetcar was king in every major city. However, as you’ll learn, the time of the trolley was soon coming to a close. There was a new king in town: the bus.

September 13. 2024

Deep(er) Drive: The History of Public Transit in Pinellas County, Part 1

With PSTA’s 40th anniversary upon us, we wanted to dive deeper than ever before into the fascinating history of transit in Pinellas County!

The story of public transit in Pinellas County is a long one, spanning as far back as 1885. However, in order to tell the full 139-year tale, we had to split it into three parts. So, strap in for a three-part odyssey as we venture back to when mass transit first began on our little isolated peninsula!

August 28. 2024

Behind the Wheel: Members of the Transit Riders Advocacy Committee (TRAC)

Through the Transit Riders Advocacy Committee (TRAC), diverse members of the public who ride PSTA can represent their community and help improve PSTA’s services.

Welcome to our next installment of Behind the Wheel, a series dedicated to telling the unique, individual stories of PSTA employees, volunteers, and riders. For this month’s entry, we sat down with four members of PSTA’s Transit Riders Advocacy Committee, also known as TRAC.

May 31. 2024

Deep Drive: All About Transit Network Companies (TNCs)

Learn how PSTA’s innovative partnerships with Transit Network Companies like Uber and Lyft help expand transit coverage for all types of riders!

In this installment of Deep Drive, we’ll explore an emerging new aspect of public transit: partnerships with Transit Network Companies, also known as TNCs. If you’ve ever taken an Uber or Lyft ride, you’ve used a TNC before!

May 15. 2024

Behind the Wheel: Women in Transit at PSTA

In honor of Women’s History Month, we sat down and chatted with some incredible women in transit to learn what transit means to them!

To celebrate Women’s History Month at PSTA, we spoke with some amazing women who make our agency the incredible, efficient, and award-winning transit authority we know and love!

March 29. 2024

Behind the Wheel: SunRunner Rider Julia Marchant

St. Pete Beach resident Julia Marchant swears by the SunRunner for her daily commute and weekend fun!

In this next installment of Behind the Wheel, we spoke with avid SunRunner rider Julia Marchant. After all, this series isn’t just a chance to highlight bus operators—we want to spotlight our amazing riders as well!

February 16. 2024

Deep Drive: Who Rides PSTA and Community Sentiment Survey Results

Let’s dive into the data and see all the different types of people who rely on PSTA—and see the results of our Community Sentiment Survey!

For this month’s installment of Deep Drive, we’re going to dive into exactly who rides PSTA. From students headed to class and employees commuting to work to citizens on their way to doctor’s appointments, hangouts with friends, or running errands, PSTA has the privilege of transporting people from every walk of life imaginable.

January 12. 2024

Behind the Wheel: Calvin Ray Davis

Welcome to our first installment of a series that will highlight the passionate people who make PSTA amazing!

Real talk—we have some of the best of the best working at PSTA. To kick off this new series of personal stories, we could think of no one better than our multi-talented writer, poet, artist, and bus operator, Calvin Ray Davis!

December 12. 2023

Deep Drive: PSTA Named APTA's Most Oustanding Agency in 2023

PSTA recently had the honor of being named the Most Outstanding Public Transportation System in the Nation—a first in our 39-year history!

October has brought a whirlwind of awards for PSTA, and we’re excited to share all the good news with you! Between winning the best in the nation and the best in the state, we wanted to show you all the hard work, dedication, and passion our employees have contributed to make these awards possible.

October 30. 2023

Deep Drive: All About Fares

Learn everything you need to know about PSTA fares and how to pay them!

For this installment of Deep Drive, we wanted to explore all there is to know about fares. With the institution of fares on the SunRunner and the elimination of magstripes cards on all PSTA buses, this is the perfect opportunity to refresh current riders and teach new riders how to pay their fare.

October 6. 2023

Get to These Hispanic-Owned Businesses With PSTA!

With the arrival of Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to spotlight some amazing Hispanic-owned businesses and how PSTA can take you to them.

Whether you’re searching for delicious flavors from our menu or cocktail programs, lively music to get you up & going, or some stimulating time to share with friends, Ceviche brings all these together for you in one authentic experience.

September 15. 2023

Deep Drive: 1 Million Things to Do for 1 Million SunRunner Riders

Join us as we anticipate the SunRunner’s next, biggest milestone—our one-millionth rider!

We can hardly believe it’s been nearly a year since the highly-anticipated October 2022 launch of the Tampa Bay Area’s very first Bus Rapid Transit service, the SunRunner! From what began as a decade’s-long dream, the SunRunner has met and exceeded all of our hopes and dreams for the future of public transit in the Tampa Bay Area.

September 1. 2023

Deep Drive: How Your Property Taxes Move the County Forward

A little while ago, we broke down how PSTA receives funding. This time, we’ll go even deeper into PSTA’s main source of funding: property taxes!

As the PSTA Board prepares to vote on its 2024 budget and what routes and other services can be funded, a certain topic has dominated the conversation: changing the millage rate, which determines how much funding PSTA will receive from property taxes.

July 28. 2023

Get to These LGBTQIA+ Owned Businesses With PSTA!

Even though Pride Month is wrapping up, it’s never too late to check out these amazing local queer-owned businesses—and PSTA can get you there!

Inspired by the great cafés of Europe, where you can enjoy a glass of wine, beer, where conversation blooms and writers, artists, activists and intellectuals make their mark, we’ve made a conscious decision to slow things down.

June 28. 2023

Deep Drive: Training Our Operators & Mechanics

Learn all about the rigorous training PSTA bus operators and technicians must go through to ensure the safety of employees and riders!

Ever wonder what it takes to become a PSTA bus operator or technician? PSTA offers comprehensive training programs for these essential positions, and more training is soon to come as we await the highly anticipated arrival of our new electric buses.

May 31. 2023

Small Biz Spotlight: Tombolo Books

In honor of Small Business Month, join us in celebrating the many small businesses along PSTA’s service lines.

This May, we’re shining a spotlight on some of the many small businesses located along our service lines to recognize their important contributions to our community – and how PSTA helps serve their transportation needs – in honor of Small Business Month.

May 10. 2023

Small Biz Spotlight: Crabby Bill’s Family Brands

In honor of Small Business Month, join us in celebrating the many small businesses along PSTA’s service lines.

This May, we’ll be shining a spotlight on some of the many small businesses located along our service lines to recognize their important contributions to our community – and how PSTA helps serve their transportation needs – in honor of Small Business Month.

May 3. 2023

Deep Drive: All About PSTA's Electric Buses

Everything you need to know about electric buses and PSTA’s commitment to lowering emissions.

Earth Month is here! In the spirit of sustainability and our continuing stewardship of this incredible planet, we wanted to highlight our electric buses!

April 26. 2023

Celebrating Earth Day With PSTA!

Ready to celebrate our amazing planet this weekend? PSTA has the scoop on the best events and how to get there sustainably!

Earth Day is this Saturday—are you ready to celebrate Mother Nature? With so many amazing events happening this weekend, you won’t want to miss out on the fun happening in your area.

April 18. 2023

Deep Drive: How Essential is PSTA?

Let’s explore exactly what makes PSTA’s services so essential and how they address the needs of our community!

We’re constantly talking about how essential public transit is, but we seldom discuss the details. You might be surprised to learn that PSTA buses offer more than just a reliable way to get from point A to point B!

March 31. 2023

Travel to America's Best Beaches via PSTA

With spring break upon us, find out how you can catch some Rays at the best beaches by riding with PSTA.

PSTA is making it easier than ever for locals and visitors alike to hit the beach this spring break without parking hassles. A day at the beach should be stress-free and easy—here’s how we can make that happen!

March 16. 2023

Deep Drive: All About PSTA Access

Let’s talk about the many options PSTA’s paratransit service offers for customers with disabilities!

For this month’s Deep Drive, we’ll take a look at Access – PSTA’s paratransit service – and all the ways it helps people with disabilities.

February 28. 2023

Contactless Payment is Here!

It’s super easy, just tap and go!

PSTA buses are now enabled with contactless payment readers, making paying for your ride easy and hassle-free. Most newer debit or credit cards, smartphones, and wearables like Apple Watches, FitBits, and Samsung Watches are now equipped with contactless pay options.

February 15. 2023

Top 10 Date Night Ideas Using the SunRunner

Love is in the air and date night has never been easier now with the SunRunner!

All of these date night ideas are so good we couldn’t possibly put one above another. So, this list is in no particular order.

February 14. 2023

PSTA Provides Transportation for Enstar's Beach Clean-up Day

Enstar, Keep Pinellas Beautiful, and Tampa Bay Waterkeeper volunteers collected 147 lbs of trash from St. Pete Beach.

When Mackenzie Morey, an executive assistant at Enstar, was arranging this clean-up event, she realized they needed transportation for over 50 employees. With so many Enstar employees visiting St. Pete from out-of-state and out-of-the-country, she reached out to PSTA to continue the theme of sustainability!

February 10. 2023

Deep Drive: How is PSTA Funded?

Have you ever wondered how the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is funded?

Let’s pull back the curtains and explore how this essential, government-funded organization acquires funding to serve the community and push the boundaries of public transit!

JANUARY 31. 2023

It's Now Routine Seeing Tubas on the SunRunner!

A special guest post by Thomas Sullivan, PSTA rider.

Thomas shares his experience riding the new SunRunner to the MLK Day Parade in Downtown St. Petersburg.

JANUARY 24. 2023

Bikes Have a Home... On Board!

Biking and the SunRunner go hand-in-hand.

Calling all cyclists! Learn more about the SunRunner’s many bike-friendly features and biking opportunities abound along the 10-mile, 30-stop route.

JANUARY 10. 2023

SunRunner Accessibility: Gloria's Story

A special guest post by Gloria Lepik Corrigan, ADA rider.

Gloria shares her experience riding the exciting new SunRunner Bus Rapid Transit route, as a wheelchair-dependent individual.

JANUARY 6. 2023

Deep Drive: Everything New Riders Need to Know About the Transit App

Transit: A comprehensive app that maps your route for you, displays real-time arrivals, and lets you know when to leave for your bus.

The Transit app is a fantastic tool for frequent riders but can also be a lifesaver for brand-new riders. With a wide variety of handy features, taking the bus doesn’t haven’t to be an all-day affair of planning and waiting at your stop.

JANUARY 5. 2023

Rockin’ Around the Beach and 'Burg

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – aboard the SunRunner!

There’s no shortage of fun to be found around town this time of year. What’s not-so-fun? Being stuck in traffic. Trying to find parking. And repeat for each stop along your journey. Use the SunRunner to skip these hassles and get straight to the good stuff!

DECEMBER 14. 2022

PSTA Participates in the 2022 Great American Teach-in

For this year’s Great American Teach-In, our amazing PSTA volunteers brought one of our Jolley Trolleys to several local schools for kids to learn more about public transit!

For those unaware, the Great American Teach-In happens once a year, where local businesses introduce students to a variety of job opportunities. The goal is to open a child’s mind to different career options, especially ones they’ve never heard of!

DECEMBER 2. 2022

Food/Brewery Craving? Try a SunRunner Crawl

Breweries and eateries abound along the SunRunner route.

Pinellas County is home to 48 breweries – the most in the Tampa Bay region, and more than any other county in the state of Florida! It’s also home to one of the most dynamic foodie scenes around.

DECEMBER 2. 2022

One Month with the SunRunner

Happy one-month to the newest member of our PSTA family. And boy, has it been a successful whirlwind!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, we’re pretty sure you’ve spotted our gorgeous SunRunner buses in the wild. Whether it’s the eye-catching art on the buses and stops or the dedicated lane that allows it to skirt pesky traffic, the SunRunner has been the belle of the ball in downtown St. Pete.

NOVEMBER 30. 2022

Shop Small This Saturday with the SunRunner!

Let us help you kick off the holiday season in a meaningful way.

Small businesses are the backbone of our local community. Come aboard the SunRunner this Saturday, Nov. 26 to show them some love by shopping small on Small Business Saturday!

NOVEMBER 22. 2022

The PSTA Veterans Employee Resource Group Celebrates Veterans Day

Meet Tom Heyob, Transporation Supervisor and United States Air Force Veteran

This isn’t just a veteran’s club for PSTA employees—our Veteran’s Employee Resource Group helps the community at large. This Veteran’s Day, we honor those who served and highlight how they STILL serve their communities.

NOVEMBER 16. 2022

Brand New Sunrunner Attracts Over 10,000 Riders in its First Weekend

Why is the 10,000th rider milestone so special?

With the SunRunner already toppling expectations in its opening weekend, it proves that residents and visitors alike see the value of public transportation and PSTA’s mission to lower vehicle emissions.

NOVEMBER 8. 2022

PSTA's Lost and Found Saved the Day!

A special Veterans Day guest post by Vietnam-era U.S. Army Veteran Thomas Sullivan.

Check out what surprise the Vietnam-era vet, received courtesy of PSTA!

NOVEMBER 8. 2022

Join Us at Halloween on Central 2!

Catch the SunRunner for some spooktacular fun.

Get in the Halloween spirit by joining PSTA (and pretty much all of St. Pete) at Halloween on Central 2 on Sunday, Oct. 30 from 12-5 p.m. in St. Pete’s EDGE and Grand Central Districts!

OCTOBER 26. 2022

The Top Five Things You Need to Know for Your First SunRunner Ride

It’s almost time! Use these tips for a smooth ride on the SunRunner.

Can you feel the excitement? We can’t wait to welcome you aboard soon!

OCTOBER 13. 2022

From beach to ‘Burg – ride FREE!

Take advantage of FREE fares for the first six months of SunRunner service.

Did you know the SunRunner is FREE to ride for the first six months of its service? That’s right – from its launch in October 2022 through April 2023, the SunRunner will cost riders nothing to navigate from the beach to the ‘Burg and anywhere in between!

SEPTEMBER 27. 2022

How to Snag a SunRunner Gold Card

The first 500 riders get exclusive discounts to participating businesses along the SunRunner route.

Don’t miss out! Remember: Service begins Oct. 21, 2022, at 6 a.m. Mark your calendar now for your chance to snag a Gold Card.

SEPTEMBER 13. 2022

Free Transit Royale Subscriptions for All Riders

Riders, let us upgrade you!

With Transit Royale, the new subscription in the Transit app, it’s now easier than ever to plan, track, and pay for your trips on both our traditional and upcoming SunRunner routes!

SEPTEMBER 2. 2022

What are those red lanes?

Can I drive in the lanes? How will they impact my commute?

You may have noticed new, rust-red lanes along First Avenues North and South. They are the SunRunner’s “bus-and-turn” lanes – which are now open!

AUGUST 30. 2022

The SunRunner is coming!

What this exciting new transit service means for Pinellas County.

This year, an innovative transit service is debuting to connect residents and visitors from downtown to the beaches and so many places in between. Called bus rapid transit, or BRT, the SunRunner is the region's first modern, fast transit service designed to get riders to Pinellas County’s premier destinations.

AUGUST 23. 2022

OMG, NO TAILPIPE!

We are proud to be a part of major solutions helping to push our county forward.

Clean energy and sustainability are a huge conversation happening right now in many industries, but likely no conversation is bigger than the one in transportation.

AUGUST 2. 2022

PSTA is proud to announce the grand opening of The SunRunner, on Friday, October 21, 2022!

The SunRunner is PSTA’s new Bus Rapid Transit service and the first of its kind in the Tampa Bay region.

There’s a shift happening in Pinellas County. You’ve heard about it. You’ve probably seen it. Now, it’s on its way!

JULY 13. 2022

People of PSTA: Jacob Labutka

We’re rounding out Pride Month by highlighting Senior Planner and the head of our Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG), Jacob Labutka.

In this post, you’ll hear firsthand stories about Jacob’s budding passion for public transportation, what it’s like working at PSTA, and how our unique work culture has helped him through his toughest times and grow into his own.

JUNE 29. 2022

AVA's Back - This Time in Dunedin!

AVA will be looking to gain feedback on how the community feels about the possibility of using Autonomous Vehicles as a transit option in the future.

MAY 19. 2021

Women’s History Month: Honoring Fearless Women on the Frontlines 

March marks Women’s History Month, a time for us to come together and celebrate the innovative contributions women have made back in time over the course of history and in the now, in contemporary society. 

MARCH 23, 2021

Driving Diversity: PSTA Supports Black History Month Wholeheartedly with Dedicated Bus Wrap

We worked with a local black artist named Zulu Painter from St. Pete to bring a stunning mural featuring MLK to highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion in our community.

FEBRUARY 11, 2021

PSTA Rolls Out 4 New All-Electric Buses

Now, about half our fleet is electric or hybrid.

FEBRUARY 1, 2021

Meet the New Girl in Town!

PSTA introduced Pinellas County to it's newest resident, AVA!

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

PSTA Breaks Ground on SunRunner

The future is almost here. On August 17^th, 2020, construction of the Tampa Bay Region’s first Bus Rapid Transit began. Elected officials, board members, and PSTA staff broke ground on the SunRunner.

AUGUST 16, 2020

PSTA Introduces Official Bus Rapid Transit Name and Logo

Local officials unveiled the regions first Bus Rapid Transit System's name and new look. 

JULY 8, 2020

PSTA First Agency To Be Named A Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Business

The League of American Bicyclists Awarded PSTA with a Bronze level Bicycle Friendly Business Award.  

JULY 9, 2020

PSTA Officially Receives Federal Funding for Bus Rapid Transit Project 

The funding will support the BRT project, a quick and low-cost frequent bus service that connects to destinations along the Central Avenue corridor in St. Petersburg.

MAY 29, 2020

PSTA Requires Passengers to Wear Masks

No mask, no ride. Masks are now mandatory on all PSTA buses.

JUNE 12, 2020

PSTA Debuts First Inductive Wireless Charging Station on US East Coast

PSTA officially opened an Inductive Wireless Charging Station aimed at reducing wait times for the electric buses to be fully charged.

JUNE 9, 2020

PSTA Proud to Keep #movingthefrontline

During the pandemic, PSTA continues providing service to essential workers.

APRIL 21, 2020

PSTA Joined #SoundTheHorn Initiative to Honor Transit Employees

PSTA joined hundreds of transit agencies in sounding transit vehicle horns to honor the heroic efforts of transit employees.

APRIL 16, 2020

Essential Rides Only

PSTA is asking passengers to please stay home if they can and limit travel on buses to essential trips only.

MARCH 21, 2020

PSTA Temporarily Suspends Taking Fares

PSTA is temporarily going fare-free as a safety precaution until further notice.

MARCH 18, 2020

PSTA Triples Cleaning Efforts

PSTA cleaning crews thoroughly disinfect all transit vehicles, terminals and facilities daily.

MARCH 16, 2020

People of PSTA: Meet Milan

Milan was recently awarded the 2019 Driver of the Year for PSTA.

MARCH 16, 2020