Need a Ride on New Year’s Eve? PSTA has You Covered!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 26th, 2023
Need a Ride on New Year’s Eve? PSTA has You Covered!
PSTA Offering Free Extended Service on New Year’s Eve
Pinellas County, FL—Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is offering free transportation options on New Year’s Eve, ensuring that everyone who chooses to celebrate has an option to get home safely. PSTA will offer free service on all routes the entire day.
Select major routes including the SunRunner as well as routes: 4, 52, 59, 60, the Suncoast Beach Trolley all will have extended service hours until 1:00 a.m.
The SunRunner will operate every 15 minutes until 1:00 a.m.
“We want to do our part in the community to provide a safe and convenient transportation option this upcoming holiday season,” said Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer of PSTA. “No matter how you celebrate New Year’s Eve in Pinellas County, choosing to ride the SunRunner or other routes means you’ll arrive safely!”
Buses will run on a Holiday/Sunday schedule and our Infoline remains open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on New Year’s Day.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Weaver
PSTA Communications & Public Relations Manager
O: (727) 540-1853 | C: (727) 249-6542
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
PSTA Debuts New Electric Buses Thanks to Volkswagen’s Pollution-Pumping Punishment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 1st, 2023
PSTA Debuts New Electric Buses Thanks to Volkswagen’s Pollution-Pumping Punishment
New Buses Are Part of PSTA’s Bold Sustainable Step: Replacing 60 Diesel Buses with Electric Ones
ST. PETERSBURG, FL—Volkswagen is paying up, and that’s good news for Pinellas County. Wednesday, leaders unveiled new electric buses that will reduce pollution and cost less to operate—purchased with money that VW was forced to pay after cheating on emissions testing for its vehicles.
Leaders from the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) stood in front of a pair of brightly colored new buses and a massive set of gleaming white diesel fuel tanks. They illustrated just how beneficial the switch from diesel to electric can be—for both the global environment and the local budget.
“PSTA is a national leader in sustainability, and this shows you why: it’s good for our planet, and it’s good for our wallets. Each electric bus reduces the carbon emissions that cause climate change, cutting them by 135 tons per year. And each one costs less to operate, saving $20,000 each year,” said PSTA CEO Brad Miller.
The giant white fuel tanks at PSTA headquarters hold 88,000 gallons of diesel fuel and take up as much space as a basketball court. A fleet of 60 diesel buses will guzzle all that fuel in just six weeks , Miller said. By replacing 60 retiring diesel buses with electric ones, PSTA expects to save a total of 11 million gallons of diesel fuel over the life of those buses .
Volkswagen Settlement
“Governor DeSantis laid out the plan to use the Volkswagen Settlement funds to invest in infrastructure for electric vehicles, and one of the largest single investments is right here in Pinellas County,” said Kelley Boatwright, Southwest Director of DEP. “We all want Florida to remain clean and healthy for the future, and this major effort in Pinellas County is a key step toward ensuring that for generations to come.”
Volkswagen has paid billions of dollars in government penalties after the car maker was caught cheating on emissions testing for its vehicles. PSTA has secured $18 million of that settlement money through the Florida DEP and will use it to buy new electric buses.
Through this Volkswagen Settlement funding and other sources, PSTA plans to replace dozens of retiring diesel buses with new electric ones in the near future—putting 14 on the road by the end of 2024 and reaching a bold total of 60 over the next three years.
Impact on Pinellas County
PSTA already operates Florida’s largest fleet of hybrid-electric vehicles, with more than 80 hybrid buses in its fleet. Because of its success in sustainability and other key areas, PSTA was recently named the most outstanding transit system in the nation by the American Public Transportation Association.
“Volkswagen lied and pumped extra pollution into Florida’s air, so they had to pay up. We went after a share of that money to reduce future pollution and continue PSTA’s leadership in sustainability,” Miller said.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Weaver
PSTA Communications & Public Relations Manager
O: (727) 540-1853 | C: (727) 249-6542
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
SunRunner Fare-Free for the ‘Burg’s Biggest Halloween Celebration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 17th, 2023
SunRunner Fare-Free for the ‘Burg’s Biggest Halloween Celebration
St. Petersburg, FL—The Tampa Bay region’s first-of-its-kind bus-rapid-transit line, the SunRunner, will be fare-free for the 3rd annual Halloween on Central. As the official mode of transportation for the event, ghouls and goblins can take advantage of free fares on the Pinellas Suncoast Transportation Authority’s (PSTA) most successful service.
From MLK to 31st along Central Avenue, 22 blocks will be closed to cars and motor vehicles from noon-5 pm on October 29th, 2023.
“We are happy to provide safe, convenient and reliable service to one of the biggest Halloween bashes in the county,” said Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer of PSTA. “With 8 stations along the Halloween on Central event zone, the SunRunner will enhance accessibility by eliminating the need to find parking in the EDGE and Grand Central districts which notoriously have a limited number of spots.”
For more information about the event, click here.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Weaver
PSTA Communications & Public Relations Manager
O: (727) 540-1853 | C: (727) 249-6542
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
City of St. Petersburg Funds New Free Bus Rides to Help Low-Income Residents Get to Work
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 5th, 2023
City of St. Petersburg Funds New Free Bus Rides to Help Low-Income Residents Get to Work
St. Petersburg, FL—The St. Petersburg City Council today funded free bus rides specifically for work, healthcare, and other life-sustaining trips by eligible low-income residents. Beginning November 1, all St. Petersburg residents eligible for the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority’s (PSTA) Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) program will be able to ride PSTA bus services for free.
While the TD program currently offers reduced-cost bus rides to eligible people across Pinellas County, the new funding from the City of St. Petersburg lowers the cost to zero for eligible city residents.
“We are extremely thankful for the City of St. Petersburg for giving its low-income residents access to not only transportation, but to everything transportation represents—essentials like healthcare, education, and work—so they can provide for their families,” said Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer of PSTA.
The TD program is a state-funded effort that helps with life-sustaining trips for residents whose gross household income is at or below 200% of poverty and who do not have alternative forms of transportation, such as automobile ownership, rides from household members, or free bus passes through the PSTA’s U-Pass and C-Pass Programs. In 2023, 200% of poverty equates to $60,000 per year for a four-person household.
The TD program assists eligible low-income residents across Pinellas County through multiple options:
· Reduced-cost bus passes for between $5 and $11 per month (which will be free for eligible St. Petersburg residents starting November 1)
· Door-to-door service if bus service will not meet a TD customer’s trip needs for $3 per trip
· TD Late Shift service for an overnight job when bus service is not available for $9 per month.
· TD Tampa Bay, a regional on-demand service in partnership with Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties.
To be eligible for the new free fares, residents of the City of St. Petersburg must live within city limits and complete the application for the TD program. See the PSTA website for more information and details on transportation options.
Council members unanimously voted to approve the three-year agreement, which will end on September 30, 2026 and includes one two-year renewal option not to exceed $175,000 per year.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Weaver
PSTA Communications & Public Relations Manager
O: (727) 540-1853 | C: (727) 249-6542
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
Media Advisory: Leadership PSTA to Host Community Resource Summit for Pinellas County Residents
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 29th, 2023
Media Advisory: Leadership PSTA to Host Community Resource Summit for Pinellas County Residents
Pinellas County, FL—Leadership PSTA, a leadership development program at the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, will be hosting a Community Resource Summit on Tuesday, October 3rd from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Center for Health Equity.
The public is invited to attend this summit to learn about resources available in Pinellas County such as: housing, food banks, career assistant programs, after school-care and more. At the event, community leaders will also be hosting a panel to discuss ways to improve the overall quality of life for residents. The panel is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
The first 100 attendees will be receiving a free one-day bus pass there will also be free haircuts available at the event.
To register for the event: click here.
When:
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(Panel is at 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.)
Who:
Monika Alesnik, Chief Executive Officer Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas
April Lott, President & CEO of Directions for Living
Dr. LaDonna Butler, Founder/Executive Director of The Well for Life
Nikki Gaskin-Capehart, Pinellas County Urban League
Leadership PSTA staff
Where:
Center for Health Equity
2333 34TH ST. SOUTH ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33711
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Weaver
PSTA Communications & Public Relations Manager
O: (727) 540-1853 | C: (727) 249-6542
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
PSTA Saves Three Routes from Chopping Block with New Budget
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 27th, 2023
PSTA Saves Three Routes from Chopping Block with New Budget
Board members vote to keep current tax rate
Pinellas County, FL—Tonight, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) balanced and approved its budget for fiscal year 2024, and will use $500,000 in savings to preserve three routes that previously had been considered for elimination. Board members voted 10-4 to maintain PSTA’s 0.7500 capped tax rate, approving a final budget that preserves 95% of PSTA’s bus routes, as well as its mobility options that assist disabled residents.
“We understand the importance of fiscal responsibility, as well as the fact that public transportation is the lifeblood of our community” said Brad Miller, CEO of PSTA. “Balancing our budget to maximize the routes we can serve is vital for access to education, employment, healthcare, and more. We are proud to have found a way to ensure more of these key services continue.”
In previous budget discussions, six routes with low ridership were proposed to be discontinued. Based on public feedback and a detailed ridership analysis, PSTA has made the following adjustments to preserve three of those routes:
· Route 58 (St. Pete College Seminole Campus/Bryan Dairy Road) – will continue to travel east to Gateway Mall but will no longer continue on to Carillon. (Carillon will continue to be served by Route 52).
· Route 5 (5th Street St. Pete College Gibbs Campus) – will continue.
· Route 32 (St. Petersburg circulator) – will continue to serve Arlington Arbor and other low-income housing areas on the west side of Downtown St. Petersburg.
PSTA identified three areas to secure the necessary funds:
· $100,000 will be saved on garbage collection costs by removing trash cans from additional low-ridership bus stops
· $150,000 will be saved on projected fuel costs due to successfully locking in prices for next year
· $250,000 will be saved on payments to contractors, since the projected expenses for the contractor providing PSTA Access services are lower than expected
Buses will continue to run past 10 p.m. on many routes, as they do today., and fare-free rides on certain holidays will also continue. The two routes that will be eliminated—814 and 813—have the lowest ridership of all PSTA bus routes, with each averaging fewer than 3,000 riders per month, compared to PSTA’s systemwide average of about 20,000.
Additional changes include:
· Route 90 will only travel from south St. Petersburg to St. Pete Beach
· The Central Avenue Trolley (CAT) will no longer continue west of Grand Central Terminal
· The number of trips by 52LX will be reduced
· Route 813 will be eliminated
· Route 814 will be eliminated and replaced with On Demand Services
Mobility on Demand
With tonight’s vote, PSTA is also modifying fares for Mobility on Demand. The service provides low-cost point-to-point rides for people who qualify. To ensure the efficient use of the service and to allow the budget to cover more riders, the program increased the price per ride after four trips per day.
Mobility on Demand will now allow riders additional trips before they pay a higher price. Rather than increasing fares after two trips in a day, residents can now take up to four rides at a cost of $3.50 each. Subsequent rides will only increase to $6.00 each.
All above changes go into effect December 3rd.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Weaver
PSTA Communications & Public Relations Manager
O: (727) 540-1853 | C: (727) 249-6542
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
SunRunner to Begin Collecting Fares on Oct. 1st
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 25th, 2023
SunRunner to Begin Collecting Fares on Oct. 1st
St. Petersburg, FL—Following the decision of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) Board of Directors, the SunRunner will begin to collect fares starting Sunday, October 1st. The Board voted to institute full fares at the August 23rd Board meeting.
A one-way ticket will cost $2.25, while an all-day pass will be available for $5. The SunRunner will collect regular fares on board the bus with a completely cashless system. Fare validators are located at both doors, so riders can continue to board through either door and tap/scan their payment method as they enter.
Onboard the SunRunner, riders can use:
· Contactless payment methods including digital wallets on their smartphone or smart watch (Apple Pay/Google wallet) , and tappable cards (credit, debit, or prepaid debit). Tap using the same payment method every time, and you’ll never pay more than $5 per day.
· Flamingo Fares card or app. Download the app and reload your card at https://flamingofares.com/ or at any PSTA Customer Service Center . By using a Flamingo Fares card or app, you’ll never pay more than $5 per day, and never pay more than $70 per calendar month.
· Discounts for Senior Citizens, students and others are available by visiting a PSTA Customer Service Center.
Daily and monthly maximums (fare capping) are available if you use the same payment method throughout the day: just make sure you always tap with the same card or payment method, every time you ride. For more information regarding how to pay your fare, visit psta.net/sunrunnerfares.
The SunRunner eclipsed one million rides earlier this month.
“We are immensely proud of the success of the SunRunner thus far,” said Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer of PSTA. “We hope residents and visitors continue to see the speed, ease and value of taking the SunRunner as it is a much cheaper option than driving your own vehicle.”
The SunRunner is Tampa Bay’s first Bus Rapid Transit service, with a hybrid-electric fleet of buses using dedicated lanes to create fast, reliable service “From the Beach to the ‘Burg.” PSTA is adding an additional stop in the coming months near the St. Pete Pier, prompted by the success of the service.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Weaver
PSTA Communications & Public Relations Manager
O: (727) 540-1853 | C: (727) 249-6542
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
All PSTA Routes Are Free on World-Car Free Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 18th, 2023
All PSTA Routes Are Free on World-Car Free Day
World Car-Free Day is Celebrated on Friday, September 22nd
St. Petersburg, FL—This Friday, in celebration of World Car-Free day, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) will be fare-free for all bus routes.
World Car-Free Day is celebrated by thousands of cities and communities to encourage the use of alternate modes of transportation for a day. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 7 million people die each year from air pollution.
“One of the easiest ways we can reduce our carbon footprint is by taking public transportation,” said Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer of PSTA. “PSTA is committed to becoming more environmentally friendly and you can too by hopping on a bus and let us take you to your destination.”
The typical passenger vehicle emits 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year and all while each of PSTA’s electric buses reduce 135 tons of carbon emissions from the air per year.
For more information on PSTA’s sustainability goals, click here.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Weaver
PSTA Communications & Public Relations Manager
O: (727) 540-1853 | C: (727) 249-6542
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
PSTA Service Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 30th, 2023
PSTA Service Update
St. Petersburg, FL—Due to widespread and increasing road flooding, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) will continue to suspend all service for Wednesday, August 30th. This includes all routes and paratransit (PSTA Access).
PSTA plans to resume service beginning tomorrow, Thursday, August 31st.
PSTA will update the local media about the status of service, so tune into your local newspaper, TV radio, and online outlets for the most up-to-date information. Riders can also find the latest information on PSTA bus service by calling the InfoLine at 727-540-1900 or by visiting our Facebook and Twitter feeds at Ride PSTA.
To stay up to date, please follow PSTA on all social media channels and local media outlets.
###
MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Weaver
PSTA Communications & Public Relations Manager
O: (727) 540-1853 | C: (727) 249-6542
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
PSTA Prepares for Tropical Storm Idalia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 28th, 2023
PSTA Prepares for Tropical Storm Idalia
Bus service reminds in effect, unless winds reach a sustained 40 miles per hour
St. Petersburg, Fla—The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is preparing for Tropical Storm Idalia. Bus service is scheduled to remain open, but PSTA will halt service if the storm has sustained Tropical Storm Force Winds of 40 miles per hour.
“The safety of our drivers and passengers is always our top priority at PSTA. We are committed to providing service, as long as it’s safe to do so,” said Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer of PSTA. “As we keep a close watch on Tropical Storm Idalia path, we will continue to send updates to keep our community informed.”
PSTA will update the local media about the status of service, so tune into your local newspaper, TV radio, and online outlets for the most up-to-date information. Riders can also find the latest information on PSTA bus service by calling the InfoLine at 727-540-1900 or by visiting our Facebook and Twitter feeds at Ride PSTA.
To stay up to date, please follow PSTA on all social media channels and local media outlets.
###
MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Weaver
PSTA Communications & Public Relations Manager
O: (727) 540-1853 | C: (727) 249-6542
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