Press Release: PSTA Offers Safe, Reliable Transportation for RNC Delegates and Guests

For immediate release: August 21, 2012

Who: Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)
What: Providing worry and hassle free transportation to Pinellas County attractions for RNC visitors and area residents
Where: Throughout Pinellas County

With thousands of visitors poised to flood hotels and resorts across the Tampa Bay area next week, it’s a great time to consider relying on PSTA to navigate around road closures, traffic jams and parking shortages.  PSTA officials have spent weeks preparing for the demands and transportation changes that will accompany next week’s Republican National Convention. “Beginning on Saturday afternoon, we’ll have extra supervisors and staff on duty to help riders deal with detours and bus route changes for the RNC kickoff party at Tropicana Field,” says PSTA CEO Brad Miller. The agency will have extra staff on hand until the roads reopen at 6:00 am Monday morning. “We’re preparing for this in much the same way as we would for a hurricane,” adds Miller. “Even though we have a good idea about what’s coming, we still have to be flexible and ready to handle last minute changes without hesitation.”

Along with the anticipated flood of visitors, also come the perennial parking problems along the Gulf beaches. In light of that, PSTA officials encourage residents and visitors alike to take advantage of the agency’s popular Suncoast Beach Trolley^SM and Central Avenue Trolleys as the smart, safe and easy way to get to and from area attractions and celebrations, without having to deal with parking hassles. The trolleys operate late into the evening and are a smart, safe and convenient transportation alternative for those going to and from RNC celebrations.

To learn how to plan a trip on PSTA, visit www.PSTA.net for maps, schedules and fare information. There you’ll also find an easy-to-use Google Trip Planner, right on the PSTA home page.

You can also call the PSTA InfoLine at (727) 540-1900 for help planning your trip. Then, before you head out, be sure to check PSTA’s new Real Time Bus Information site at www.RidePSTA.net or call the PSTA InfoLine to find out exactly when your next bus will arrive.

Riders can also find a full list of PSTA detours as well as an RNC road closure map on PSTA’s Rider Alert page at http://www.PSTA.net.

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Press Release: Clean, Affordable Transportation for Hands Across the Sand

For immediate release: August 3, 2011

 Who: Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), The Sierra Club, The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce and TradeWinds Beach Resorts

What: Partnering to promote clean energy as part of the international Hands Across the Sand environmental awareness event

Why: To preserve the viability of Pinellas County’s beaches, tourism and economy

When: August 4, 2012 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Where: TradeWinds Guy Harvey Outpost, 6000 Gulf Blvd. St. Pete Beach, FL 33706

On Saturday, August 4, 2012, local clean energy enthusiasts will join counterparts from around the world to support clean energy and encourage protection of the Suncoast’s award winning beaches. The demonstration, which involves standing along the shoreline and clasping hands for 15 minutes at noon, is designed to encourage local and global leaders to embrace clean alternatives to crude oil based fuels.

As part of this year’s celebration, local organizers are encouraging participants to ride PSTA’s Central Avenue Trolley to and from the event, which will be at the new TradeWinds Guy Harvey Outpost Resort in St. Pete Beach. The Central Avenue Trolley runs every 30 minutes and is a convenient, affordable and easy way to get to and from the event without having to deal with the hassles of finding or paying for a parking space.

PSTA operates a fleet of 16 customized Trolley vehicles along the Gulf Beaches, seven of which are clean burning, fuel efficient, diesel-electric hybrid models. “The low speed limits along Gulf Blvd. are perfect for the diesel-electric technology,” says PSTA Manger of Community Relations, Bob Lasher. “The hybrids on that route are getting an amazing 65% increase in fuel economy over our standard diesel fleet. It’s a technology that’s in perfect harmony with the goals of Hands Across the Sand.”

If you’d like to enjoy an easy, relaxing and affordable ride to and from Hands Across the Sand, plan your trip by visiting  www.PSTA.net or by calling the PSTA InfoLine at (727) 540-1900. Then, before you head out, be sure to check PSTA’s new Real Time Bus Information site at www.RidePSTA.net or call the PSTA InfoLine to find out exactly when your next bus will arrive.

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And the winner is…

Wow! You all take some pretty fabulous photos! We asked you to send us a photo that shows what PSTA means in your life and your community. So many great entries were submitted to our photo contest it was hard to choose the winners, but luckily we had a panel of experts to help. Before we announce the winners, please help us thank our judges. Here’s a little about each of them:

Lorrie Lykins – Lorrie has written the Ask Dr. Delay column for the Tampa Bay Times (formerly the St. Petersburg Times) since 2005, answering reader questions about the highways and byways of the Tampa Bay area. She is a graduate of Eckerd College and Queens University of Charlotte and is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Follow her on twitter: @AskDrDelay

Michael C. Weimar – Michael C. Weimar is an editorial and commercial photographer based in the Tampa Bay area. He specializes in sports and portraiture. His past assignments have found him at the Superbowl, Final Four, and BCS National Championship. A link to his work can be found at www.mikeweimar.com.

Emanuel Ponteriero – Besides having his own professional photography business, Emanuel conducts major seminars throughout Florida. His “Get the Picture” instructional videos are among the top ten on Amazon, and he is a monthly guest on Studio 10 Connects, a Tampa TV program.

These kind folks donated their time to judge our contest and we really appreciate their expertise.

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for… our winners!

Third Place
“Limo to the Dance” by David Reed

Second Place
“Transportation for the Next Generation” by Brandon Graham

First Place (our iPad2 winner!)
“In Motion” by James Branaman

Please join us in congratulating our winners! (And, please remember that these are copyrighted images.)

Your Editor,
Cyndi Raskin-Schmitt

p.s. Wonder what our winning photographers look like? Here’s a photo of David and James (along with me) following the award presentation at today’s Board of Directors meeting, and a photo of Brandon when he came in to claim his prize (he wasn’t able to join us at the meeting).