What is the Transportation Disadvantaged Program?
The Pinellas County Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Program is a state-funded program that provides reduced cost transportation throughout the county to residents who qualify as "Transportation Disadvantaged."
- Who Qualifies for Transportation Disadvantaged Services in Pinellas County?
- How are Trips Provided to Qualified Individuals?
- How Do I Become Eligible for TD Services?
- How Are TD Bus Passes Sold?
- Things to Remember When Requesting Services
- More about the Transportation Disadvantaged Program
Who Qualifies for Transportation Disadvantaged Services in Pinellas County?
In order to qualify for Transportation Disadvantaged services In Pinellas County, a person must:
- Live in Pinellas County
- Not be able to get a ride from household members or others for life-sustaining trips: medical, grocery, work, job-related training/education, and other vital services
- Have documented household income which does not exceed 150% of poverty (see chart below)
| 2012 Federal Poverty Guidelines (X 150%) | ||
| Family Size | Gross Yearly Income | Gross Monthly Income |
| 1 | $16,755 | $1,396 |
| 2 | $22,695 | $1,891 |
| 3 | $28,635 | $2,386 |
| 4 | $34,575 | $2,881 |
| 5 | $40,515 | $3,376 |
| 6 | $46,455 | $3,871 |
| 7 | $52,395 | $4,366 |
| 8 | $58,335 | $4,861 |
| Over 8 add per child | +$5,940 | +$495 |
How are Trips Provided to Qualified Individuals?
Reduced-Cost PSTA Bus Passes
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) provides bus service throughout most of the county. All buses are air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. Individuals able to access and ride a bus can qualify for either a 10 (non-consecutive) Day bus pass for $5.00 per month, or a 31-Day unlimited ride bus pass for $8.25 per month. The passes can be used for travel to any location served by the PSTA bus system. To get bus route maps and schedules from PSTA, call (727) 540-1900 or click here.
Door-to-Door Service
Individuals who DO NOT receive a bus pass will receive transportation via taxi or wheelchair van for $3.00 per one-way trip. The fee is due in cash at the time of the ride.
How Do I Become Eligible for TD services?
To request a TD Program Application call (727) 540-1900 or click here.
Complete and mail the application to Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) to the address shown on
the application.
Approval or denial should be received by the applicant within 10 to 14 days.
How Are TD Bus Passes Sold?
Each eligibility letter will state which type of bus pass the individual is qualified to purchase, its cost, how, when and where to purchase it. If approved for a TD bus pass, the individual will need to bring a government-issued photo ID to one of the three PSTA Customer Service Centers listed below between the 1st and the 15th of each month. In addition, the individual will need to bring cash to purchase their pass:
- 10-Day Pass: $5.00
- 31-Day Pass: $8.25
| PSTA's Customer Service Centers | ||
| Grand Central Station | Address: | Located in Midtown St. Petersburg 3180 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 |
| Hours: | Monday - Saturday 7:15 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. Sunday & Holidays 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Closed 12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. daily) |
|
| Holidays: | Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day | |
| Williams Park | Address: | Located in downtown St. Petersburg 340 2nd Avenue N., St. Petersburg, FL 33701 |
| Hours: | Monday - Saturday 7:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. Sunday & Holidays 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Closed 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Sundays & Holidays only) |
|
| Holidays: | Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day | |
| Park Street Terminal | Address: | Located in downtown Clearwater 525 Park Street |
| Hours: | Monday - Saturday 7:15 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. Sunday & Holidays 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Closed 12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. daily) |
|
| Holidays: | Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day | |
If approved for door-to-door service, the individual will need to make trip reservations directly with the taxi or wheelchair van contractor for eligible trip purposes approved within Pinellas County.
- Requests must be made at least 72 hours BEFORE service is actually needed.
- The Reservationist will schedule the trip and provide the caller with a pick-up time. On the day of the trip, the rider must be ready at the scheduled pick-up time and location to board the vehicle within 5 minutes of its arrival. The trip is not considered late until 30 minutes after the scheduled pick-up time. Individuals will need to call the taxi or wheelchair van company directly if their ride is late, or if they need to cancel their trip. Cancellations must be made at least two hours prior to the scheduled pick-up time to avoid a “No Show” penalty.
- Payment of $3.00 cash for each one-way trip MUST be given to the driver at the time of pick-up.
Things to Remember When Requesting Services
Service is limited based on available funding.
Taxi or wheelchair van transportation is only provided when it is determined to be the most appropriate mode. For example, if a person is unable to use the bus system due to a verifiable physical or mental disability.
Reservations for transportation by taxi cab or wheelchair van MUST be made at least 72 hours BEFORE service is needed.
More about the Transportation Disadvantaged Program
The Pinellas County Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Program is administered by the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), which serves as the county Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC). The CTC is appointed by the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged. The CTC works closely with the Local Coordinating Board (LCB), which serves as the decision-making body for the TD Program. The LCB is comprised of private citizens, transportation providers, and representatives from the MPO, human services agencies, and other agencies that serve the transportation disadvantaged community. LCB meetings are held bi-monthly, usually on the third Tuesday of the month. For more information on LCB meetings or the TD Program, visit www.pinellascounty.org/mpo or call the Pinellas County MPO at (727) 464-8200.
TD is an equal opportunity program which complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act as amended, and encourages the participation of individuals with Limited English Proficiency.
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View Video Here - "Riding PSTA Using Wheelchairs & Mobility Aids" |