Press Release: PSTA Riders Set Another Record

For immediate release: May 9 , 2013

Who: Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)
What: Last month’s ridership sets all-time record for the month of April
When: April 2013
Where:  Throughout Pinellas County and Tampa
How:  By giving 1,241,957 rides in April

PSTA bus riders resumed their record streak last month by taking more rides than in any other April in PSTA history.  The mark is a 4% improvement over April 2012 and the fifth highest monthly total ever. “The fact that we set a new record even as gasoline prices were dropping and Spring Break was coming to end, is further proof of the growing demand for public transit in Pinellas County,” says PSTA CEO Brad Miller.  Agency leaders say there are several reliable factors that can affect ridership such as fuel prices. With those costs dropping recently, they credit job growth and continued record tourism for the new high.

In the meantime, PSTA officials are wrapping up their extensive Pinellas Community Bus Plan, preliminary results from which are due in a few months. The agency has also introduced a new comprehensive resource for transit information in the Tampa Bay area, called Greenlight Pinellas. Leaders say Greenlight Pinellas is a multi-faceted program featuring educational outreach, community involvement and a web-based clearinghouse for Pinellas County’s transportation plans. They promise that the program’s website, www.GreenlightPinellas.org, will feature detailed information on everything PSTA and its partner agencies plan to implement if voters approve a one-cent transportation sales tax referendum in November of 2014. Greenlight Pinellas will also detail everything the agency will do to address dwindling funding, such as implementing significant cuts in bus service, should the measure be voted down. “It’s critical that Pinellas County residents know exactly what we plan to do, in detail, before they are asked to decide,” says PSTA spokesman Bob Lasher. “The goal is to be as concise, transparent, and thorough as possible.”

To learn more about PSTA, including how to ride or exactly when the next bus is arriving at your stop, visit www.PSTA.net.

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Press Release: PSTA Partners with Southeastern Guide Dogs for Training Exercise

For immediate release: April 26, 2013

Who: Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) and Southeastern Guide Dogs
What: Held first-ever guide dog training session
When: April 25, 2013
Where: 3201 Scherer Drive, St. Petersburg
Why:  To acclimate guide dogs to the sights, sounds and feel of riding public transit
How:  PSTA Staff worked with dog raisers to simulate transit rides and teach the dogs how to properly board, alight and ride transit vehicles

PSTA Safety and Security and Training Supervisor (and PSTA 2005 Driver of the Year) Theo Bakomihalis thought he had seen it all after his many years behind the wheel of PSTA buses, but he’d never seen a group of passengers like the one he encountered Thursday evening. Theo had the unique pleasure of chauffeuring 11 guide dogs in training (and their raisers) around St. Petersburg to help dogs learn how to behave when riding public transit. “They’re arguably one of the cutest… and furriest groups I’ve ever driven,” Theo says with smile. “They’re so happy and eager to get on the bus, it’s really fun.”

The puppies, which range in age from 11 weeks to 15 months, performed exceptionally well during the training and didn’t appear anxious about being on a bus for the first time. Most tended to be more interested in their fellow K-9s than concerned about the noise and vibration of the vehicle. The training involved driving the bus throughout the community and stopping at various locations to let the puppies and their raisers board and alight.  “These dogs will be using public transit every day once they’re working.  None have ever been on a bus before, so this is an invaluable experience to prepare them for service,” says Southeastern Guide Dogs Area Coordinator Carolyn Hersh. “This exercise gives the puppies exposure and training we just can’t simulate in a classroom.”  Hersh adds that this experience along with other exposures to everyday life, helps the dogs develop into confident guides.

Southeastern Guide Dogs is an organization that trains dogs to help people with visual impairments so that it’s easier for them to live independent, vibrant and joyous lives. Through programs such as Paws for Independence™, Paws for Patriots™, and Gifted Canines™ they have more than 400 active guide dog teams s and to be able to support programs like Paws for Patriots is a great way for us to give back to the community and support our heroes who have given so much for our country,” says PSTA CEO Brad Miller.

For more about Paws for Patriots or other Southeastern Guide Dogs programs, including how to volunteer or donate, visit:  www.guidedogs.org.

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Transit Update from the CEO – April 2013

Each month, PSTA’s CEO puts together a summary of topics discussed at the Board of Directors meeting. Here is that report from the April 24th meeting:

Greenlight Pinellas Plan Outreach Initiative

• The PSTA Board approved the Greenlight Pinellas Plan Outreach Initiative to engage the Pinellas community about transit improvement plans.
• Greenlight Pinellas is designed to be a public engagement process that promotes a transparent and inclusive public dialogue.
• This summer, the Greenlight Pinellas effort will convene three public committees representing businesses, civic groups, and government leaders to review and provide input to the transit and land use plans as they are completed.
• It is anticipated that a single, viable plan including financial and accountability components will emerge from the Greenlight Pinellas process, fully vetted by all sectors of the Pinellas Community, before it returns to the Pinellas County Commission to officially vote on placing before the voters in November 2014.

 Pinellas Community Bus Plan

• PSTA approved an “Optimal Scenario” whereby the Pinellas bus system would be ultimately converted from the current low-frequency, hub based system to a high-frequency grid-based transit network.
• Alternative No New Revenue and 1% Sales Tax revenue bus service scenarios will be considered in the next few months.

Texting & Riding is a Hit
(and Totally Legal!) 

• PSTA Riders are texting PSTA 5,000 times a day to find out where their buses are.

Sincerely,
Brad Miller
Chief Executive Officer
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)

Press Release: Celebrate Earth Day by Riding PSTA!

For immediate release: April 19, 2013

Who: Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)
What: Offering easy, environmentally-friendly transportation
When: Earth day along with the other 364 days a year
Where: Throughout Pinellas County and to Tampa
Why: To provide transportation options, cut demand for oil and to protect the environment.

Monday, April 22, 2013 is Earth Day and it’s never been easier to dump your car for the day and ride PSTA. Here’s how:

First, you’ll want to plan your trip. For that you can use the Google Trip planner located on PSTA’s home page at www.psta.net or you can simply call the PSTA InfoLine at (727) 540-1900* to speak with a live Customer Service Representative. They’ll be happy to help you plan your trip and answer any questions you may have, such as discount fare information. It only costs $2.00 to ride one way (full fare) or $4.50 to ride all day, plus you can buy your daily bus pass right on the bus, though exact change is required.

Then, when you’re ready to travel, you can call, text, logon or use a smartphone to check exactly when your bus will arrive at your stop with PSTA’s new Real Time Bus Information System.  Current riders will tell you that it’s easier than you think to start enjoying the luxury of letting someone else navigate the traffic tangle that comes with living in Florida’s most densely populated county.

Still not sure? Then, check out PSTA’s “how to” videos on the agency’s “How to Ride” page: www.psta.net/howtoride.php. There you’ll find videos showing you how to pay your fare, how to ride if you use a wheelchair or mobility aid, how to use the Express Routes to Tampa and how to bring your bicycle with you when you ride.

Suncoast Beach Trolley in front of the Hurricane Restaurant. Circa 2001.

If you have the day-off for Earth Day, why not try two of PSTA’s most popular routes serving Pinellas County’s award winning beaches? You can find a preview video and schedule for the Central Avenue Trolley (a one-seat ride from the Pier to Pass-a-Grille) on the agency’s Central Avenue Trolley webpage: http://www.psta.net/CAT.php.  Plus, there’s a similar video and timetable for the Suncoast Beach Trolley℠ on the Suncoast Beach Trolley℠ page at http://www.psta.net/beachtrolley.php.

* The PSTA InfoLine is open Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 8 PM, Saturday from 7 AM to 8 PM, Sundays and Holidays from 8 AM to 4:30 P.M.

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Press Release: PSTA Ridership Continues Strong Showing

For immediate release: April 9, 2013

Who: Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)
What: March 2013 ridership posts a gain of nearly 6% over February ridership
When: March 2013
Where:  Throughout Pinellas County and Tampa
How:  By giving 1,246,539 rides in March

Record ridership has led to standing-room-only loads, even during the mid-day.

Bus ridership in Pinellas County continued on its standing-room-only pace last month as riders boarded PSTA buses more than 1.2 million times in March. That makes for a gain of nearly 6% over February and the fourth highest overall monthly ridership total in agency history.

Agency leaders say numerous factors contributed to the increasing ridership including record setting tourism, high fuel prices and an improving economy. PSTA buses frequently have standing room loads at rush hour, with many routes now experiencing standing loads at midday as well. PSTA has a time-lapse video on their YouTube channel that shows over-capacity buses. To help meet the record demand for transit in Pinellas County, the PSTA Board of Directors and the County Commission have agreed to place a one-cent sales tax initiative on the November 2014 ballot. If approved by voters, the new funding would allow the agency to implement significant increases in service. Those increases would include more frequent buses that run throughout longer periods of the day, as well as new routes in areas not currently served by transit.

To keep up with the agency’s plans for the future of transportation in Pinellas County visit www.greenlightpinellas.org or you can participate in the planning process by giving leaders your input as part of the agency’s comprehensive Community Bus Plan at http://busplan.psta.net/.

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It’s Official: Real Time is a Hit!

For those of you already using it, this news will come as no surprise. We’ve been watching the usage level go higher and higher over the past year since we implemented our state-of-the-art Real Time Bus Information system, and I’m pleased to report that it’s a hit!

After we started installing the eye-catching Real Time Bus Info signs at bus stops last April, we had 1945 people text in for their next bus details the first month. Not too shabby considering we were just getting started. Can you guess how many texts we sent out last month? I’ll tell you: 86,912! In March you also called in and used the automated phone system (IVR, Interactive Voice Response) 80,420 times, and visited RidePSTA.net 30,945 times. Here’s a chart that shows just how awesome the response to this system has been:

Here are some more fun stats…

• Total number of texts sent: 474,875
• Total number of IVR calls: 361,760
• Total number of visits to RidePSTA.net: 172,206
• Total number of times the QR code on the Real Time sign has been accessed: 52,218

So, thank you! Thanks for helping us test the system before we launched. Thanks for using the system every day. Thanks for using technology to make your transit experience more enjoyable. And, thank you for riding! We appreciate you, and your support!

Your Editor,
Cyndi Raskin-Schmitt

Transit Update from the CEO – March 2013

After the monthly meeting of PSTA’s Board of Directors, CEO Brad Miller puts together a summary of important topics that were discussed. Here is that recap from the March 20th meeting:

Greenlight Pinellas

• At a special ACPT meeting on Monday, PSTA’s Public Outreach consultant, Tucker Hall, Inc. presented Greenlight Pinellas as the brand and strategy of our public engagement process about transit in Pinellas County.
• Greenlight Pinellas demonstrates:
  • A consensus of Pinellas County leadership
  • Engagement of the business community, civic organizations, and the public.
  • It will form the educational foundation for the future transit referendum.
• The PSTA Board will be asked to approve the outreach strategy at their April 24, 2013 meeting.

FDOT Funding Request

• The PSTA Board approved a grant application to seek continued funding from the Florida Department of Transportation for two important projects:
  1. Mobility Management – Allows PSTA to enhance mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities.
  2. Connector Service – Funds will support the continued operation of the new, innovative, and very popular North County Connector services

Pinellas Park Transit Center

• Easement Agreements and a Partnership MOU with the City of Pinellas Park to share in the capital construction expenses were approved by the PSTA Board.
• Construction should begin soon on a new, badly needed Pinellas Park Transit Center behind the Shoppes at Park Place (Target/Movie Theatre) just off US 19.

Business Community/Transit Oriented Land Use Design Outreach

• PSTA is partnering with the Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to reach out to key stakeholders, businesses, and communities along the proposed rail line through St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Pinellas County, Largo, and Clearwater.
• The outreach is intended to inform and further develop the land use and economic development potential of transit related projects, such as the bus plan and Pinellas Alternatives Analysis rail corridor.

PSTA Safety & Longevity Awards

• Each year PSTA employees are recognized for their many years of service and Bus Operators’ safety records are celebrated.
• Steve Desrosier, in our Finance Department, was acknowledged for 30 years of service.
• Bus Operator Dave Beck was recognized for 35 years of safe driving.
• All together 990 years of service, and 2234 years of safe driving were recognized at award ceremonies held in-house.

Sincerely,
Brad Miller
Chief Executive Officer

Press Release: PSTA Leaders to Demo Double-Length Buses this Friday

For immediate release March 13, 2013

Who: Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) leaders, local elected officials and staff
What: Examining a new 60 foot, articulated hybrid bus
Why: As an option to address current, standing-room-only demand on numerous bus routes
When: March 15, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.
Where:  Coachman Park parking lot, 301 Drew Street in Clearwater

An articulated bus in the fleet at BC Transit

You are cordially invited to join PSTA and area leaders on a tour and demonstration ride in one of the most advanced transit vehicles on the planet – this Friday morning at Coachman Park in Clearwater. PSTA staff and local officials will gather at 10:00 am along the waterfront to evaluate a brand new, American made, articulated diesel-electric hybrid bus from New Flyer.

With standing-room-only loads on many bus routes, PSTA leaders are now considering investing in larger buses to accommodate the record-setting demand for transit. Without additional funding to increase bus service or frequency, these new, double length, fuel-efficient vehicles may be the agency’s only option to ease system overcrowding. Please join us for a sneak peek at what the future of transit may look like in Pinellas County.

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Press Release: PSTA Ridership Continues Increasing at Record Setting Pace

For immediate release: March 11, 2013

Who: Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)
What: Sets all-time ridership record for month of February
When: February 2013
Where:  Throughout Pinellas County and Tampa
How:  By giving more than 1.17 million rides in February

After 15 straight months of record setting ridership, PSTA leaders were hoping for a new all-time record for the month of February.  Even with only 28 days of ridership this year, compared to 29 last year, PSTA still managed to re-write the all-time February record by giving 1,179,259 rides – a 1% increase over February 2012. “To set a record with one less day of ridership? Well, that’s pretty amazing,” says PSTA spokesperson Bob Lasher. The new mark also extends the agency’s record setting streak to 16 straight months. Transit officials say that such ridership gains can typically be attributed to numerous factors including an improving economy, record tourism and higher gasoline prices.

The increased ridership has also led to a growing number of standing-room-only runs on various routes. To help with the overcrowding, PSTA recently replaced eight of its oldest buses with new diesel-electric hybrid models that have more seats and can carry an additional 14 passengers each. “It helps, but it’s not nearly enough,” Lasher says. “The only way that we can meet this kind of demand is by getting more buses on the road.” In order to do that,  agency leaders say they need more funding, which simply isn’t available under PSTA’s current financial structure.  That’s why the PSTA Board of Directors and the County Commission have agreed to place a one cent sales tax initiative on the November 2014 ballot. If approved by voters, the new funding would allow the agency to offer more frequent bus service throughout longer periods of the day.

PSTA is now conducting a study of the current bus network to help streamline service and maximize resources. This analysis will ensure that Pinellas County residents are getting the most efficient and economically viable transit service possible. To learn more about the Pinellas Community Bus Plan and to participate in a survey, visit http://busplan.psta.net.

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Transit Update from the CEO – February 2013

After the monthly meeting of PSTA’s Board of Directors, CEO Brad Miller puts together a summary of important topics that were discussed. Here is that recap from the February 27th meeting:

Referendum for a 21st Century Transit System for Pinellas County Moving Forward

• The Pinellas Board of County Commissioners voted 5-1 yesterday, to schedule a one cent sales tax referendum on the November 4, 2014 ballot to fund significant transit improvements throughout Pinellas County including bus, trolleybus, enhanced bus services and planning for future rail service. After nearly 3 hours of public comment for those for and against setting the date, only Commissioner Norm Roche voted against setting the date.

What It Will Cost – Baseline Financial Plan Approved

• The PSTA Board reviewed and accepted the 2012 Completed Alternatives Analysis Financial Plan showing how the sales tax estimated revenue of $128M per year while eliminating PSTA’s existing ad valorem property tax would support these transit improvements.
• This analysis will be reviewed with the Advisory Committee for Pinellas Transportation (ACPT) and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in the coming weeks.

PSTA’s Community Bus Plan Goals and Upcoming Meetings

• Work on the Community Bus Plan continues into the next phases. Rider surveys have been collected and are being tabulated and analyzed. The Board of Directors has decided the goals of the plan are about people, service and finance. And, the goals are applicable for our riders today as well as our future ones.
• Upcoming engagement events that are open to the public are scheduled:
  •  Palm Harbor Library - March 7^th, 6 p.m.
  • Big ‘C’ Barrier Islands Council @ North Redington Beach Chamber of Commerce - March 27^th, 8:30 a.m.

Florida Legislative Platform for 2013

• PSTA Legislative Committee Chair Darden Rice and CEO Brad
  Miller reported on their successful trip last week to meet with Pinellas legislators in Tallahassee.
• They also met with transit leaders from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

Thank you former County Commissioner Neil Brickfield

• Neil Brickfield stopped by PSTA’s Board Meeting today to be recognized for his 6 years of PSTA Board Service.
• During his PSTA tenure, he was a strong leader in effective restructuring of Pinellas transportation under the Medicaid and Transportation Disadvantaged program and the PSTA Board thanked him for this service.

Finally, Check out PSTA’s Most Watched YouTube Video Bus Buzz Episode 2: “Busting the Empty Bus Myth”