PSTA to launch largest redesign of bus system in 40 years

ST. PETE, Fla. — The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is getting ready to launch the largest redesign of its transit system in nearly 40 years.

Pinellas County’s public transportation provider has branded the new and improved bus system as the Connected Community Bus Network. The new system is restructuring PSTA’s current bus routes into a schedule that prioritizes weekend and weekday evening rides more than ever before.

In all, roughly 25 routes will be impacted. In some cases, stops will be added or deleted from a route. In other cases, routes will become more direct and redistribute stops.

“We don’t have as many people during the peak commuter hours in our transit system say as people in New York or Chicago,” said Jacob Labutka, planning manager for PSTA. “So we took those resources to add services to weekends so now they can operate seven days a week.”

There will also be timed transfers in Downtown St. Pete, the Park Street Terminal and the Largo Transit Center in order to speed up route connections.

The launch of the Connected Community Bus Network also includes a new service, Spark. Labutka said this new premium route will be a bit quicker than a typical bus and connect St. Pete’s Grand Central Station to Eckerd College using 4.4 miles of 34th Street South.

The redesign and addition of Spark is in an effort to make bus routes line up with the needs of Pinellas County residents.

Labutka says this new Connected Community Bus Network is a reallocation of current resources at no additional cost.

The new system is set to launch Oct. 26. In order to prepare, PSTA and the Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete are holding a community workshop Friday from 11:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the foundation’s headquarters at 2333 34th St. S.

The event will provide resources to community organizations, healthcare providers and service agencies to help their clients understand the new system changes.

“These are people who touch folks on a daily basis,” said Marcus Brooks with the Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete. “It’s really important for them to have the information they need as changes are happening… those providers can ensure they’re conveying that message to the individuals in the community.”

Friday’s workshop is free of charge.