FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 15th, 2023

Tampa Bay Transit Riders Can Now Pay Via Debit, Credit or Google/Apple Pay

Tampa Bay Area, FL – Starting today, riders on the Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART), the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) and Hernando County (The Bus) can tap to ride across the region using credit and debit cards, digital wallets (Google Pay or Apple Pay), as well as the Flamingo Fares smartcard or mobile app. This is the first-of-its-kind contactless payments system in the state of Florida. (Click here for media kit)

 “Contactless payments will make navigating our region much simpler not only for our existing riders, but for the tens of thousands of tourists who visit all that Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay region has to offer,” said Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer of PSTA. “You can still pay with your Flamingo Fares card, but now have more options to use public transportation and reduce your carbon footprint.” 

The Flamingo Fares system has fare capping implemented, meaning passengers always receive the lowest price as the system automatically caps prices whenever riders reach the daily or monthly thresholds. Riders using contactless payments (debit/credit/Google Pay/Apple Pay) will be able to take advantage of $5 dollar daily fare capping. 

"We are excited to offer our customers another way to pay their fare,” said Adelee Le Grand, Chief Executive Officer, HART. “Contactless payments on Flamingo Fares not only provides our customers with greater ease of access, removing another barrier from riding transit, but also assists in speeding up the boarding process, improving travel times.” 

Flamingo Fares Tampa Bay launched in 2020. 

To learn more about contactless payments and Flamingo Fares, visit www.flamingofares.com/

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Stephanie Weaver

PSTA Communications & Public Relations Manager  

O: (727) 540-1853 | C: (727) 249-6542

E: Sweaver@psta.net

Frank Wyszynski

Manager of Communications and Marketing, HART

Phone: (813) 599-126

E: WyszynskiF@goHART.org

ABOUT PINELLAS SUNCOAST TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Since 1903, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) serves as the premier public transit provider for Pinellas County, Florida’s most densely populated county. The SunRunner, Tampa Bay’s first-ever Bus Rapid Transit service, provides a reliable, car-free option from downtown St. Pete and St. Pete Beach. With 41 fixed-route bus routes, two express routes to downtown Tampa, the Suncoast Beach trolley, Jolley Trolley and Looper and their paratransit service Access, PSTA provides 10.2 million rides annually. For more information about PSTA, visit www.psta.net

ABOUT HILLSBOROUGH TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Created on October 3, 1979, the Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) is the regional mobility provider in Hillsborough County, serving a population of more than 1.4 million residents in the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace, and parts of unincorporated Hillsborough County, the fourth most populated county in Florida. Its total service area covers 1,000 square miles. HART operates fixed-route local and express bus service, door-to-door paratransit service, flex-route service, and manages the TECO Line Streetcar System. HART’s mission is to take people to places that enhance their lives.