Transportation Disadvantaged Program

What is the Transportation Disadvantaged Program?

The Pinellas County Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Program is a state-funded program that provides reduced cost transportation throughout the county to residents who qualify as "Transportation Disadvantaged."

Who Qualifies for Transportation Disadvantaged Services in Pinellas County?

In order to qualify for Transportation Disadvantaged services in Pinellas County, a person must:

• Live in Pinellas County
• Not be able to get a ride from household members for life-sustaining trips including not being able to get free bus rides by showing your ID through the CPASS/UPASS programs.
• Have documented household income which does not exceed 200 percent of poverty (see chart below)

2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines (X 200 percent) 

Persons in Family/  Household	2024 Gross Yearly Income Limit	2024 Gross Monthly Income Limit
1	$30,120	$2,510.00
2	$40,880	$3,406.67
3	$51,640	$4,303.33
4	$62,400	$5,200.00
5	$73,160	$6,096.67
6	$83,920	$6,993.33
7	$94,680	$7,890.00
8	$105,440	$8,786.67
For each additional person	$10,760	$896.67

 

How are Trips Provided to Qualified Individuals?

Reduced-Cost PSTA Bus Fares

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) provides bus service throughout most of the county. All buses are air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. Individuals able to access and ride a bus can qualify for either a 10 (non-consecutive) Day bus fare for $5.00 per month, or a 31-Day unlimited ride bus fare for $11.00 per month. Fares can be used for travel to any location served by the PSTA bus system. To get bus route maps and schedules from PSTA, call 727-540-1900 or download Transit app. View our schedule map online.

Door-to-Door Service

Individuals who cannot use the bus for some of their trips may qualify for door-to-door service for those trips for $3.00 per one-way trip. The fee is due in cash at the time of the ride.

If approved for door-to-door service, the individual will need to make trip reservations for eligible trip purposes approved within Pinellas County.

• Requests must be made at least 48 hours BEFORE service is actually needed.
• The Reservationist will schedule the trip and provide the caller with a pick-up time. On the day of the trip, the rider must be ready at the scheduled pick-up time and location to board the vehicle within five minutes of its arrival. The trip is not considered late until 30 minutes after the scheduled pick-up time.
• Payment of $3.00 cash for each one-way trip MUST be given to the driver at the time of pick-up.

TD St. Petersburg Program

The St. Petersburg City Council 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.

To get $0 Free TD monthly fare: 

• Must currently be TD eligible
• Must have home address within St. Petersburg city limits

If both are true: You automatically will be able to get $0 Monthly TD fares starting November 1st from PSTA terminals.

 

If either is not current in TD database, please complete the NEW TD application which includes proof of residency documentation.

To request a TD Application, visit one of PSTA's Customer Service Centers, call 727-540-1900 or download our TD application.
*Allow one week for application to be processed.

Late Shift

TD Late Shift can now be purchased with the monthly TD fare for $20.

TD Bus Fare: $11
Add Late Shift: +$9
Total Monthly Package: $20

Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) riders have a new way to get home late at night with TD Late Shift.

TD clients can get their monthly on-demand trips for $9 per month to work when bus service is not available. To qualify, the individual must:

• Purchase their TD 31-day fare and Late Shift fare every month
• Have a job that begins or ends between 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. any day of the week.

To apply, call 727-540-1900.

Urgent Day

TD Urgent Day provides one $3 on-demand trip per month to anyone who has their current TD bus fare and has a life-sustaining (non-emergency) trip that cannot be effectively served by bus.

To take the trip, call 727-540-1900, Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

How Do I Become Eligible for TD services?

To request a TD Application, visit one of PSTA's Customer Service Centers, call 727-540-1900 or download our TD application.

Complete and e-mail the application, along with required Proof of Income. TD@psta.net or fax to 727-540-1923 or submit to a representative at one of PSTA's Customer Service Centers.

Learn of your approval or denial by calling 727-540-1900 two weeks after the submission of your paperwork.

How Are TD Bus Fares Sold?

If approved for a TD bus fare, the individual will need to bring a government-issued photo ID to one of the PSTA Customer Service Centers listed below. In addition, the individual will need to bring cash, credit or debit to purchase their fare:

• 10-Day Fare: $5.00
• 31-Day Fare: $11.00

TD fares will be added to your Flamingo card, so be sure to keep your card so it can be reloaded with new TD fare each month.

More about the Transportation Disadvantaged Program

Service is limited based on available funding.

The Pinellas County Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Program is administered by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), which serves as the county Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC). The CTC is appointed by the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged. The CTC works closely with the Local Coordinating Board (LCB), which serves as the policy-making body for the TD Program. The LCB is comprised of private citizens, transportation providers and representatives from the MPO, human services agencies and other agencies that serve the transportation disadvantaged community. LCB meetings are held bi-monthly, usually on the third Tuesday of the month. For more information on LCB meetings, visit Local Coordination Board (LCB) or call Forward Pinellas at 727-464-8250.

TD is an equal opportunity program which complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act as amended and encourages the participation of individuals with Limited English Proficiency.

For commendations, questions or complaints, please contact PSTA at 727-540-1888 or the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged Helpline 800-983-2435. You may also follow the Complaint and Grievance Procedures listed on page 38 of the Transportation Disadvantaged Service Plan.