Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority
Encyclopedia
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) provides public transportation for Pinellas County, Florida
. The authority manages a bus system that encompasses 34 local routes, two express routes, and the Suncoast Beach Trolley (using a fleet of replica trolleys
that consist of Optima
and Gillig
-made vehicles).
In 1970, the Central Pinellas Transit Authority (CPTA) was formed, serving the Clearwater area and northern Pinellas. The agency was fully established by 1973 and operated 9 routes with a fleet of 21 buses. The CPTA saw 900,000 riders in its first year of service. In 1975, SPMTS begins paratransit services and both agencies continue to expand their fleet. In 1978, tourist trolley
service (using trolley-replica buses) began in downtown St. Petersburg and became successful. By the 1980s, the two agencies formed a cooperative agreement, which allowed the expansion of routes throughout Pinellas County.
In October of 1984, the two companies merged to create the PSTA. In the years following their merger, PSTA operated nearly 80 routes with a fleet or nearly 130 buses. The agency begins installing electronic fareboxes and completed its central Pinellas operations center, as well as several bus terminals. In 1990, PSTA obtained its first express route, previously operated by Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART). Also in 1990, PSTA established a cross-county bus route via US 19.
Massive expansion and improvements took place during the 1990s and well into the 2000s. PSTA constructed its Williams Park terminal in downtown St. Pete in 1994. In 1996, the agency introduced electronic fare cards (called GO Cards) and began replacing their outdated bus fleets with a combination of New Flyer and Gillig buses. In 2001, the Suncoast Beach Trolley began service along the gulf coast beaches and in 2003, PSTA purchased a fleet of motorcoach buses (from Motor Coach Industries
) to operate its express routes. Additional capital improvements were made during the early 2000s as well, including the renovation of the Park Street Terminal. In 2001, the website PSTA.net debuted.
In 2004, HART and PSTA began an intersystem passport to allow patrons from either county to use each other's bus systems without paying additional fares. A year later, PSTA's current operations center opened near Roosevelt Boulevard. In 2006, PSTA expanded its fleet with the purchase of 48 Gillig low-floor buses. HART and PSTA agreed to honor each other's reduced fare photo permits. In 2007, PSTA introduced an online trip planning system. This system allowed patrons to better plan out their trip throughout the PSTA system. In 2009, the interface was scrapped in favor of a partnership with Google, which HART began partnership back in 2007. This newest alliance allows patrons to seamlessly plan their trips on both the PSTA and HART systems.
Note: The table below is under construction
es (similar to HART's downtown trolleys, but rubber-tired).
The Suncoast Beach Trolley also connects to local bus routes 35 (at St Pete Beach), 58 (at Park Blvd), 59 (at Indian Rocks Beach), 68 (at Johns Pass) and 90 (at St Pete Beach), for seamless travel to and from other Pinellas destinations.
(PCPT) bus routes 18 and 19 via PSTA routes 19 and 66.
.
Pinellas County, Florida
Pinellas County is a county located in the state of Florida. Its county seat is Clearwater, Florida, and its largest city is St. Petersburg. This county is contained entirely within the telephone area code 727, except for some sections of Oldsmar, which have the area code 813...
. The authority manages a bus system that encompasses 34 local routes, two express routes, and the Suncoast Beach Trolley (using a fleet of replica trolleys
Tourist trolley
A tourist trolley, also called a road trolley, is a rubber-tired bus , which is made to resemble an old-style streetcar or tram....
that consist of Optima
Optima Bus Corporation
Optima Bus, LLC, formerly Chance Coach Inc., is a brand of small transit buses manufactured by North American Bus Industries. It was established in 1976 in Wichita, Kansas....
and Gillig
Gillig
Gillig Corporation, formerly Gillig Bros., is a manufacturer of heavy-duty low-floor transit buses located in Hayward, California. Prior to 1993, Gillig had also been a manufacturer of school buses.-History:...
-made vehicles).
History
PSTA began in the early 1900s as the St. Petersburg Municipal Transit System (SPMTS). The system began with a streetcar line to Gulfport and eight buses to run several routes throughout the St. Pete area. By 1928, ridership on the system hit 4.2 million. In 1949, the Gulfport streetcar system was closed, marking the end of streetcar service in Pinellas County. Meanwhile, transit service elsewhere continued to expand.In 1970, the Central Pinellas Transit Authority (CPTA) was formed, serving the Clearwater area and northern Pinellas. The agency was fully established by 1973 and operated 9 routes with a fleet of 21 buses. The CPTA saw 900,000 riders in its first year of service. In 1975, SPMTS begins paratransit services and both agencies continue to expand their fleet. In 1978, tourist trolley
Tourist trolley
A tourist trolley, also called a road trolley, is a rubber-tired bus , which is made to resemble an old-style streetcar or tram....
service (using trolley-replica buses) began in downtown St. Petersburg and became successful. By the 1980s, the two agencies formed a cooperative agreement, which allowed the expansion of routes throughout Pinellas County.
In October of 1984, the two companies merged to create the PSTA. In the years following their merger, PSTA operated nearly 80 routes with a fleet or nearly 130 buses. The agency begins installing electronic fareboxes and completed its central Pinellas operations center, as well as several bus terminals. In 1990, PSTA obtained its first express route, previously operated by Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART). Also in 1990, PSTA established a cross-county bus route via US 19.
Massive expansion and improvements took place during the 1990s and well into the 2000s. PSTA constructed its Williams Park terminal in downtown St. Pete in 1994. In 1996, the agency introduced electronic fare cards (called GO Cards) and began replacing their outdated bus fleets with a combination of New Flyer and Gillig buses. In 2001, the Suncoast Beach Trolley began service along the gulf coast beaches and in 2003, PSTA purchased a fleet of motorcoach buses (from Motor Coach Industries
Motor Coach Industries
Motor Coach Industries International Inc. is an American bus manufacturer based in Schaumburg, Illinois, and is a leading participant in the North American coach bus industry. It has various operating subsidiaries:...
) to operate its express routes. Additional capital improvements were made during the early 2000s as well, including the renovation of the Park Street Terminal. In 2001, the website PSTA.net debuted.
In 2004, HART and PSTA began an intersystem passport to allow patrons from either county to use each other's bus systems without paying additional fares. A year later, PSTA's current operations center opened near Roosevelt Boulevard. In 2006, PSTA expanded its fleet with the purchase of 48 Gillig low-floor buses. HART and PSTA agreed to honor each other's reduced fare photo permits. In 2007, PSTA introduced an online trip planning system. This system allowed patrons to better plan out their trip throughout the PSTA system. In 2009, the interface was scrapped in favor of a partnership with Google, which HART began partnership back in 2007. This newest alliance allows patrons to seamlessly plan their trips on both the PSTA and HART systems.
Fares
New fare changes went into effect on October 3, 2010.- One-Way Cash Fares
- PSTA Local Routes: $2.00
- Local Route Student and Youth Fare (Restrictions Apply): $1.25
- Discount Local: $1.00 (Proper ID Required)
- PSTA Express Routes: $3.00
- PSTA Passes
- 1-Day Unlimited GO Card
- Local and Express: $4.50
- Discount (Proper ID Required): $2.25
- 1-Day Unlimited GO Card
-
- 7-Day Unlimited GO Card
- Local and Express: $20.00
- Discount (Proper ID Required): $12.50
- 7-Day Unlimited GO Card
-
- 31-Day Unlimited GO-Card
- Local and Express: $65.00
- Discount (Proper ID Required): $35.00
- 31-Day Unlimited GO-Card
-
- 20-Ride GO Card
- Express ONLY: $48.00
- 20-Ride GO Card
-
- Intercounty PSTA/HARTHartlineHartline can refer to:* An anglicized surname of German origin.* Haldan Keffer Hartline, American Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine winner* Hartline, Washington* HARTline, the brand name for Hillsborough Area Regional Transit...
Monthly Passport: $85.00- For use on all PSTA and HART Bus, Trolley, and Streetcar Routes.
- Intercounty PSTA/HART
Bus routes
PSTA operates 34 routes that traverse Pinellas County and 2 express routes that connect into downtown Tampa.Note: The table below is under construction
Local
| No. | Name | Starting Point | Terminus | Operates | Direction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gateway Mall/Tyrone Square Mall | Gateway Mall - St. Petersburg | Tyrone Square Mall - St. Petersburg | Monday through Saturday Only | Bi-Directional | |
| 4 | 4th Street | Goodwill Industries Goodwill Industries Goodwill Industries International is a not-for-profit organization that provides job training, employment placement services and other community-based programs for people who have a disability, lack education or job experience, or face employment challenges... Suncoast Facility - St. Petersburg |
25 Way/Roy Hanna Drive - St. Petersburg | Daily (Frequent Weekday Service) | Bi-Directional | Buses run every 20 to 30 minutes on weekdays |
| 5 | Tyrone Square Mall via 5th Ave N | Tyrone Square Mall - St. Petersburg | Williams Park Transit Center - St. Petersburg | Daily | Bi-Directional | Limited Sunday Service |
| 7 | Tyrone Square Mall via Central Plaza Terminal | Tyrone Square Mall - St. Petersburg | Williams Park Transit Center - St. Petersburg | Daily (Frequent Weekday Service) | Bi-Directional | |
| 11 | Carillon/Pinellas Point | PSTA Headquarters - St. Petersburg | 25 Way/Roy Hanna Drive - St. Petersburg | Weekday Service Only | Bi-Directional | |
| 14 | Palms of Pasadena Hospital Palms of Pasadena Hospital Palms of Pasadena Hospital is a hospital located in St. Petersburg, Florida.- References :... |
Williams Park Transit Center - St. Petersburg | Palms of Pasadena Hospital - South Pasadena South Pasadena, Florida South Pasadena is a city located in southern Pinellas County, Florida, near St. Petersburg. The population was 5,778 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 5,745 .-Geography:... |
Monday through Saturday Service Only | Bi-Directional | |
| 15 | Gulfport Gulfport, Florida Gulfport is a city in Pinellas County, Florida and a suburb of St. Petersburg. The population of Gulfport was 12,527 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau was 12,740. Gulfport is part of the Tampa-St... |
Williams Park Transit Center - St. Petersburg | Gulfport Casino - Gulfport | Daily | Bi-Directional | |
| 18 | Clearwater/Bay Pines VA Medical Center/St. Petersburg via Seminole Blvd/Tyrone Square | Williams Park Transit Center - St. Petersburg | Park Street Terminal - Clearwater | Daily (Frequent Weekday Service) | Bi-Directional | Buses leave every 20 to 30 minutes during weekday peak hours. Limited Sunday Service. |
| 19 | US 19 U.S. Route 19 in Florida U.S. Route 19 in Florida runs along Florida's west coast from an interchange with U.S. Route 41 in Memphis, Florida, south of Tampa, and continues to the Georgia border north of Monticello, Florida.... |
46th Ave & 34th St - St. Petersburg | Huey Ave & Tarpon Ave - Tarpon Springs Tarpon Springs, Florida Tarpon Springs is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The population was 21,003 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 22,554.... |
Daily (Frequent Weekday Service) | Bi-Directional | Buses leave every 20 to 30 minutes during weekday peak hours. Limited Sunday Service. |
| 20 | Pinellas Point/Tyrone Square | Roy Hanna Dr & 25 Way S - St. Petersburg | Tyrone Square Mall - St. Petersburg | Daily | Bi-Directional | Limited Sunday Service. |
| 23 | Tyrone Square Mall via 22nd Ave S/Gulfport | Williams Park Transit Center - St. Petersburg | Tyrone Square Mall - St. Petersburg | Daily | Bi-Directional | Limited Sunday Service. |
| 30 | 30th Ave N Circulator | Northeast Shopping Center - St. Petersburg | Tyrone Square Mall - St. Petersburg | Monday Through Saturday Limited Service (Circulator) | Bi-Directional | |
| 32 | Downtown St. Petersburg Circulator | Williams Park Transit Center - St. Petersburg | Arlington Ave/11th St - St. Petersburg | Monday Through Saturday Limited Service (Circulator) | One-Way Directional Loop | |
| CAT | Central Avenue Trolley | The Pier - St. Petersburg | 9th Ave and Gulf Way - Pass-A-Grille | Daily | Bi-Directional | Extended weekend service; frequent weekday service |
| 38 | Downtown St. Pete/Tyrone Square Mall via 38th Ave N | Williams Park - St. Petersburg | Tyrone Square Mall - St. Petersburg | Daily | Bi-Directional | |
| 52 | Downtown St. Pete/Downtown Clearwater via E Bay/W Bay Dr | Williams Park - St. Petersburg | Park Street Terminal - Clearwater | Daily | Bi-Directional | Late service on weekdays. |
| 58 | Gateway Mall/Redington | Gateway Mall - St. Petersburg | Gulf Blvd & Park Blvd - Redington Shores Redington Shores, Florida Redington Shores is a town in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,338 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 2,031.-Geography:Redington Shores is located at .... |
Daily | Bi-Directional | |
| 59 | Williams Park/Indian Rocks Beach Indian Rocks Beach, Florida Indian Rocks Beach is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,072 at the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 5,167.-Geography:... via MLK St & Ulmerton Rd |
Williams Park - St. Petersburg | 1 St & 4 Ave - Indian Rocks Beach | Daily | Bi-Directional | Serves the St. Petersburg Greyhound station. |
| 60 | McMullen Booth Frontage Road/Downtown Clearwater | McMullen Booth Frontage Road - Clearwater | Park Street Terminal - Clearwater | Daily | Bi-Directional | |
- Route 61 - Indian Rocks Beach/DunedinDunedin, FloridaDunedin is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The name comes from Dùn Èideann, the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. The population was 35,691 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 36,632...
- Route 62 - Tyrone Square Mall/The Shoppes of Boot Ranch
- Route 66 - Tarpon SpringsTarpon Springs, FloridaTarpon Springs is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The population was 21,003 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 22,554....
/Indian Rocks Beach - Route 67 - Downtown clearwater/Downtown Oldsmar via SR 580 & Hercules
- Route 68 - Tyrone Square Mall/John's Pass Village
- Route 73 - Tyrone Square Mall/Downtown Clearwater via Keene Rd/Starkey Rd/Park St
- Route 74 - Williams Park & Downtown St. Pete/Indian Rocks Beach via Park Blvd
- Route 75 - Tyrone Square Mall/Gateway Mall
- Route 76 - Downtown Clearwater/Westfield CountrysideWestfield CountrysideWestfield Countryside is a shopping mall in Clearwater, Florida. Situated near the coastline on the Gulf Coast, it serves over 8 million customers every year. Its current anchor stores are Dillard's, JCPenney, Macy's, and Sears. An NHL-sized ice rink also resides in the center of the...
via Belcher Rd & Sunset Point - Route 78 - Downtown Clearwater/Westfield Countryside via SR 580
- Route 79 - Downtown St. Pete/Whitney Rd & US 19
- Route 90 (Commuter Shuttle) - St. Pete Beach/Downtown St. Pete
- Route 97 (Commuter Shuttle) - 49th St & Carillon/Downtown St. Pete
- Route 98 (Commuter Shuttle) - 49th St & Carillon/Downtown Clearwater
- Route 444 (Circulator) - Pinellas Park
- Note: Commuter Shuttles and Circulators run on a limited timetable (typically only at peak times).
Express services
| No. | Name | Starting Point | Terminus | Operates | Direction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100X | St. Petersburg/South Pinellas Express | Gateway Mall, St. Petersburg | Marion Transit Center, Tampa | Weekdays Only | Bi-Directional | Operated by PSTA |
| 200X | Clearwater Express | Marion Transit Center, Tampa | Eddie C. Moore Complex Park-N-Ride, Clearwater | Weekday Rush Hours | Peak Direction | Operated by HART. |
| 300X | Central Pinellas Express | Ulmerton Park-N-Ride, St. Petersburg | Marion Transit Center, Tampa | Weekdays Only | Bi-Directional | Operated by PSTA |
Suncoast Beach Trolley
PSTA Suncoast Beach Trolley connects patrons to the Pinellas Gulf Coast Beaches via trolley-replica busTourist trolley
A tourist trolley, also called a road trolley, is a rubber-tired bus , which is made to resemble an old-style streetcar or tram....
es (similar to HART's downtown trolleys, but rubber-tired).
The Suncoast Beach Trolley also connects to local bus routes 35 (at St Pete Beach), 58 (at Park Blvd), 59 (at Indian Rocks Beach), 68 (at Johns Pass) and 90 (at St Pete Beach), for seamless travel to and from other Pinellas destinations.
Connection to PCPT
In addition to the cross-bay express routes, PSTA also provides connections to Pasco County Public TransportationPasco County Public Transportation
Pasco County Public Transportation provides public transportation in Pasco County, Florida. The agency operates both fixed bus and paratransit services.-Fare Structure:...
(PCPT) bus routes 18 and 19 via PSTA routes 19 and 66.
Active Fleet
The PSTA bus fleet encompasses several different models, including those from New Flyer, Gillig, and Motor Coach IndustriesMotor Coach Industries
Motor Coach Industries International Inc. is an American bus manufacturer based in Schaumburg, Illinois, and is a leading participant in the North American coach bus industry. It has various operating subsidiaries:...
.
Transit buses
| Year | Builder/Model | Example | Numbers | Length (ft) |
Active | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Gillig Gillig Gillig Corporation, formerly Gillig Bros., is a manufacturer of heavy-duty low-floor transit buses located in Hayward, California. Prior to 1993, Gillig had also been a manufacturer of school buses.-History:... Low Floor 40FT |
 |
21XX | 40 | This fleet is mixed, with some buses painted in the new livery, and some retaining the old colors. | |
| 2002 | Gillig Gillig Gillig Corporation, formerly Gillig Bros., is a manufacturer of heavy-duty low-floor transit buses located in Hayward, California. Prior to 1993, Gillig had also been a manufacturer of school buses.-History:... Low Floor 30FT and 40FT |
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8MtQQRlHghO8kjZgbu_CrQ | 22XX | 30 and 40 | This fleet is mixed, with some buses painted in the new livery, and some retaining the old colors. | |
| 2005 | Gillig Gillig Gillig Corporation, formerly Gillig Bros., is a manufacturer of heavy-duty low-floor transit buses located in Hayward, California. Prior to 1993, Gillig had also been a manufacturer of school buses.-History:... Low Floor 30FT, 35FT and 40FT |
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/S7aROZ0-Tf-7B40twptRtw | 25XX | 30, 35 and 40 | Most of these buses are in the new livery. | |
| 2006 | Gillig Gillig Gillig Corporation, formerly Gillig Bros., is a manufacturer of heavy-duty low-floor transit buses located in Hayward, California. Prior to 1993, Gillig had also been a manufacturer of school buses.-History:... Low Floor 35FT and 40FT |
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/z2LlBFtqBx4FCuItETuH9Q | 26XX | 35 and 40 | All of these buses are in the new livery. | |
| 2007 | Gillig Gillig Gillig Corporation, formerly Gillig Bros., is a manufacturer of heavy-duty low-floor transit buses located in Hayward, California. Prior to 1993, Gillig had also been a manufacturer of school buses.-History:... Low Floor 35FT and 40FT |
27XX | 35 and 40 | All of these buses are in the new livery. | ||
| 2008 | Gillig Gillig Gillig Corporation, formerly Gillig Bros., is a manufacturer of heavy-duty low-floor transit buses located in Hayward, California. Prior to 1993, Gillig had also been a manufacturer of school buses.-History:... Low Floor 35FT and 40FT |
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0zQ57FDWLMGHiSd0axIm1A | 28XX | 35 and 40 | All of these buses are in the new livery. | |
| 2009 | Gillig Gillig Gillig Corporation, formerly Gillig Bros., is a manufacturer of heavy-duty low-floor transit buses located in Hayward, California. Prior to 1993, Gillig had also been a manufacturer of school buses.-History:... Low Floor BRT Hybrid 35FT |
http://www.psta.net/ | 29XX | 35 | Known as the "Smartbus". | |
| 2010 | Gillig Gillig Gillig Corporation, formerly Gillig Bros., is a manufacturer of heavy-duty low-floor transit buses located in Hayward, California. Prior to 1993, Gillig had also been a manufacturer of school buses.-History:... Low Floor BRT Hybrid 35FT |
Picture Unavailable | 101XX | 35 | Known as the "Smartbus" | |
Express coaches
| Year | Builder/Model | Example | Numbers | Length (ft) |
Active | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Motor Coach Industries Motor Coach Industries Motor Coach Industries International Inc. is an American bus manufacturer based in Schaumburg, Illinois, and is a leading participant in the North American coach bus industry. It has various operating subsidiaries:... D4500CT |
 |
23XX | 45 | ||
Trolley replicas
| Year | Builder/Model | Example | Numbers | Length (ft) |
Active | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima Optima Bus Corporation Optima Bus, LLC, formerly Chance Coach Inc., is a brand of small transit buses manufactured by North American Bus Industries. It was established in 1976 in Wichita, Kansas.... American Heritage Streetcar AH-28 |
http://cache.virtualtourist.com/1/2001386-Trolley_Bus-Clearwater.jpg | 1XX and 2XX | 35 | These buses ran on the Suncoast Beach Trolley line from the late 1990s until 2009, when they were replaced by Gillig Low Floor Trolley-replica buses. However, they are still leased out by PSTA to St. Petersburg Trolley and the Gulfport/St. Pete Beach trolley who use them on their routes. | ||
| 2007 | Gillig Gillig Gillig Corporation, formerly Gillig Bros., is a manufacturer of heavy-duty low-floor transit buses located in Hayward, California. Prior to 1993, Gillig had also been a manufacturer of school buses.-History:... Low Floor "Trolley" 35FT |
7XX | 35 | Trolley-replica buses. | ||
| 2008 | Gillig Gillig Gillig Corporation, formerly Gillig Bros., is a manufacturer of heavy-duty low-floor transit buses located in Hayward, California. Prior to 1993, Gillig had also been a manufacturer of school buses.-History:... Low Floor "Trolley" 35FT |
8XX | 35 | Trolley-replica buses. Powered by clean diesel. | ||
| 2009 | Gillig Gillig Gillig Corporation, formerly Gillig Bros., is a manufacturer of heavy-duty low-floor transit buses located in Hayward, California. Prior to 1993, Gillig had also been a manufacturer of school buses.-History:... Hybrid Low Floor "Trolley" 35FT |
9XX | 35 | Trolley-replica buses. Powered by the same Advanced Hybrid drive train as the SmartBus. Distinguishable by a white roof. | ||
Retired Fleet
| Year | Builder/Model | Example | Numbers (if available) | Length (ft) |
Time in service | Number of buses in fleet | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | New Flyer DLF40 |
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pkEETjoEoAOHv9ztQXt7Ww | 96XX | 40 | 1996–2008 | Retired in 2008 | |
| 1997 | New Flyer DLF30 |
http://www.busexplorer.com/PHP/MidPage.php?id=664 | 97XX | 30 | 1997–2009 | Retired in 2009 | |