Pinellas transit riders could see fewer routes, more costs

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – There could be some big changes coming to public transportation in Pinellas County.

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority will hold a second public hearing Wednesday on major route cuts and fare increases.

Under the proposal, cuts could be made to the Grouper Airport shuttle which serves St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport and Clearwater Beach.

There would also be cuts to routes in parts of Downtown St. Petersburg, Seminole and areas near St. Pete Beach.

And there’s a proposal to cut PSTA’S access service.

Gloria Corrigan, the head of the Transit Rider Advocacy Committee, said the proposals could have serious impacts on public transit users.

“When you cut a bus route, you are actually cutting some services to the county,” she said. “You’re cutting services to businesses, you’re cutting the opportunities for people to get to work, for people get to stores, for to get to doctor’s offices, and in fact it becomes much less cost effective the fewer routes that you have.”

PSTA is also proposing fare increases, with credit and debit card payments set to increase by 11 cents. 

All of the proposals will still need agency approval.