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.

Although the original award submission was over 30,000 words long, we’ll give you the perfect summary. Let’s go over the amazing accomplishments that led to PSTA receiving such honors!

What is APTA and What Award Did PSTA Win?

APTA stands for American Public Transportation Association and is a nonprofit international association of more than 1,500 public and private sector member organizations. APTA is the only association in North America that represents all modes of public transportation, including bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne services, and intercity and high-speed passenger rail. In fact, more than 90 percent of the people using public transportation in the United States and Canada ride APTA member systems!

Each year, APTA holds its APTA Awards, and PSTA applied specifically for the award titled Outstanding Public Transportation System Over a Three-Year Period. In our application for this award, we presented the accomplishments from 2020, 2021, and 2021. Within our submission, we provided accomplishments related to 12 areas: safety, operations, maintenance, access, customer service, financial management, sustainability, workforce development, marketing, attendance and employee costs, and diversity, inclusion, and equity.

APTA Submission Highlights

Safety

Safety is a top priority for PSTA. PSTA’s Safety, Security & Training department is the only transit authority in Florida that has three Gold Standard Awards, and one of only four transit authorities nationwide with this achievement. During the pandemic, PSTA safeguarded its frontline workers by installing plexiglass barriers to protect drivers. And at the height of the pandemic, PSTA went fare-free (March 2020 to July 2021) to avoid crowds at the fare box and also implemented rear-door boardings only. 

Sustainability

PSTA is the leader in moving to an environmentally friendly bus fleet. 14 new electric buses will be added next year, making the fleet 50% clean hybrid-electric and electric vehicles. This move results in better fuel efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to the traditional diesel bus. With the addition of the 14 new electric buses next year, PSTA expects to save more than 172,000 gallons of diesel fuel in 2024. 

Customer Service

PSTA doesn’t outsource customer service. All customer service operations are handled in its in-house call center, so riders are speaking directly with representatives who live and work in Pinellas County each time they call, rather than someone who lives out of state or even out of the country. 

Operations

PSTA is one of the few transit agencies in the country that is fully staffed with bus operators. This accomplishment is thanks in part to massive efforts in hiring and improving its hiring, training, and onboarding processes. 

Workforce Development

PSTA offers an annual year-long leadership development program for high-potential employees, called Leadership PSTA. Each year, the class delivers a project that connects the agency’s public transit services with a community need. PSTA’s 2022 leadership class hosted a community job fair at our transit-accessible main campus, targeting job seekers who ride our buses and employers along our busiest routes.  

Oh, and We Won Best in the State, Too!

In addition to winning best in the nation, PSTA also won best in the state! Florida Public Transportation Association, or FPTA, is one of the most active state transit associations in the nation. FTPA’s programs provide over 231 million fixed route trips to Florida residents and visitors, and an additional 11 million paratransit trips.

FPTA named PSTA as Outstanding System of the Year for 2023, as well as awarding PSTA operator Marcus Kincade with 1st place Operator of the Year and PSTA technician Derrick N. Brown with 2nd place Bus Technician of the Year. FPTA also awarded PSTA with 1st place Marketing Award for Electronic Media/TV.