Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority

Proposed Fare Increase

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) held three public hearings to gather citizen comments on a proposed fare adjustment.The changes are proposed to take effect October 1, 2006 and are needed due to the rising cost of fuel and insurance, and the increase in service and passenger amenities. Please fill out the comment form below or you can send emails to us at public-hearing@psta.net

PSTA's last fare increase was in August 2001. Since that time, the price of diesel fuel has increased from 80¢ a gallon to the current cost of $2.44 a gallon, and insurance costs have climbed dramatically. In spite of these increases, PSTA has followed through on promises made to our customers to improve services. Improvements since our last fare increase include:

Introduced www.psta.net so customers could have access to information 24/7.
Opened Central Plaza Intermodal Terminal in St. Petersburg. The new station has room for 12 buses and features public restrooms and a Customer Service Center.
Rehabilitated Park Street Station with a new roof, new larger Customer Service Center, restrooms and fresh paint.
Installed strobe lights on the back of the entire fleet to heighten awareness for those following the bus and increase passenger safety.
Opened the Ulmerton Road Park 'n' Ride for riders on the 300X and Rt. 59.
Developed a transfer station on 34th Street in St. Petersburg, which is served by the Rts. 11, 52, 59, 96, 97 and 98.
Developed a transfer station at the Shoppes at Park Place.
Purchased 132 passenger shelters.

FARE CATEGORIES	CURRENT FARES	PROPOSED FARES
Child (5 years and younger)	Free	Free
Full Cash Fare (cash or token)	$1.25	$1.50
Special Citizen Reduced Cash Fare	.60	.75
Student Reduced Cash Fare	.75	1.00
Daily Full Fare Unlimited Ride GO Card	3.00	3.50
Daily Reduced Fare Unlimited Ride GO Card	1.50	1.75
7-Day Unlimited Ride GO Card	12.00	15.00
7-Day Youth Unlimited GO Card (Platinum Pass)	7.00	10.00
31-Day Unlimited Ride GO Card	40.00	45.00
31-Day Reduced Fare Unlimited Ride GO Card	25.00	30.00
Passport (unlimited rides during a specified month - valid on all PSTA and HART routes - bus, trolley, streetcar, local, and express)	85.00	85.00
Youth Haul Pass (unlimited rides during specified summer months)	25.00	30.00
Premium Cash Fare (tokens not accepted)	1.50	2.50
Special Citizen Reduced Premium Cash Fare	.75	1.25
20-Ride Premium Fare GO Card	27.00	40.00
Demand Response Cash Fare	2.50	3.00
Demand Response 1-Ride Ticket	2.50	3.00
Demand Response 10-Ride Punch Ticket	25.00	30.00
Bulk Tokens Purchase 100-299	Save 5%	Save 5%
Bulk Tokens Purchase 300 or more	Save 10%	Save 10%

A fare is required for each trip, there are no transfers. Proper ID must be shown prior to paying a reduced cash fare or using a reduced fare GO Card (applies to Medicare, Special Citizen Senior/Disabled, Youth, and Adult Student). Unlimited Ride GO Cards become valid on the first date used, and can be purchased at PSTA Customer Service Centers, PSTA Ticket Outlets, and via mail. Daily GO Cards may also be purchased on board all buses and trolleys. “Premium” fares and GO Cards are valid on Routes 100X and 300X only. Demand Response is specialized transportation for people with disabilities who are unable to ride a bus.

System Improvements Since 2001 Fare Increase Public Hearing

New Buses Purchased Since 2001

10 MCI Commuter Buses

20 Trolleys

99 Low Floor Buses

Significant Service Improvements Since 2001

New routes introduced: 93, 97, 300X

Weekday service increased to every 20 minutes on Route 19

Weekday service increased to every 30 minutes on Route 58, 35, 79

Weekday service increased to once per hour on Routes 11,75

Weekend service added and/or increased on Routes 52, 58

Later night service added and/or extended on Routes 14, 18, 19, 59, 60, 68

Service Improvements Scheduled for September 2006

Weekday service increasing to every 30 minutes on Routes 5, 7, 15, 78

Weekday service increasing to every 20 minutes on Route 18

Addition of Bus Trip Planner to PSTA's website

Please be sure to provide valid information for all fields with an asterisk* or your form will not be processed.

Personal Information:

*First Name:                *Last Name:

*Street Address:     Apt #:

*City:                      *State: *Zip:

*E-mail:

*Phone:                  Day: Evening:

Comment:

Mailing List: (To be part of our mailing list, you must provide both a vailid mailing and e-mailing address.)

Yes, sign me up! No thanks.

Preferred Method of Response:

E-Mail: Phone: Mail: None:

FYI: All information is SOLELY for the purpose of contacting you regarding your correspondence.