PSTA spares key Pinellas bus routes but raises fares
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
Some changes are coming to Pinellas County's bus service.
Why it matters: The cuts and fare increases are less drastic than previous discussions to eliminate six routes, but in a car-centric region with few transit options, every cut counts, several bus riders noted at a meeting Wednesday.
State of play: Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority board members voted to cut Snapper Safety Harbor, a service with an average of 87 monthly users that provides on-demand rides in that city and to and from the Countryside Mall.
- Board members also approved an 11-cent fare increase for riders using tap-to-pay and a $2 increase to $13 per month for transportation-disadvantaged riders.
- The latter hike must also be approved by another local transit board.
Spared from elimination were routes 16, between downtown St. Pete and the Gateway Mall, and 58, which connects north St. Pete to Seminole City Center.
- The Grouper shuttle from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport to Clearwater Beach will also continue, although on fewer days and with fare increases.
The intrigue: Another bus route primarily used by St. Pete Beach hotel workers was narrowly spared from cuts — for now.
- While Route 90 ridership hasn't seen the participation PSTA officials hoped for, board member and County Commissioner Kathleen Peters said ridership is likely skewed due to hotel closures from the 2024 hurricanes.
What's next: Board members gave PSTA staff until the end of the year to reevaluate the route.