FOR IMMEADIATE RELEASE
July 15th, 2025

New Pass Lowers Cost of Living for Healthcare Workers

More Than 5,000 Pinellas Healthcare Workers Will Now Have Free Transit Access 

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL—In a move that lowers the cost of living for thousands of workers in the crucial healthcare industry, Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital and the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) are launching a UPASS agreement, offering unlimited free transit rides for Orlando Health employees across Pinellas County.

More than 2,000 Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital employees and contractors now join 3,500 additional healthcare workers in Pinellas County who already save money with free transit access through UPASS.

“This is a powerful way to push back against the affordability crisis, especially for our neighbors we count on to be there for us in the healthcare industry,” said Brad Miller, CEO of PSTA. “In total, more than 5,000 healthcare workers in Pinellas will now be covered by a UPASS agreement. That’s more than 5,000 people who can save money with every single trip to work or around town.”

Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital team members can now simply show their work IDs to ride PSTA’s fixed-route buses and trolleys, including the SunRunner, at no cost. Whether they’re shopping for groceries, going to appointments, attending classes, or commuting to work, the new benefit helps them save substantially on the expenses of gas and parking.

The agreement offers unlimited free transit rides to employees at all Orlando Health locations in Pinellas County including:

·        Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital

·        Orlando Health Emergency Room - Crossroads

·        Orlando Health Emergency Room - Pinellas Park

What is UPASS?

UPASS (Universal Pass) is a partnership model in which businesses, schools, associations, and other organizations cover the cost of discounted transit passes for their members. The result is a growing network of riders who benefit from unlimited PSTA access with a simple flash of a work, school, or membership ID.

UPASS partnerships with PSTA include 153,690 eligible riders, covering:

·        Employees of major businesses

·        Guests at participating hotels

·        Students and staff at participating educational institutions

·        Members of business and neighborhood associations

Recent UPASS Milestones

·        Hiatus Hotel (Clearwater Beach) – First UPASS to include Clearwater Ferry service (June 2025)

·        The EDGE District (St. Petersburg) – Business member passes launched (January 2025)

·        Historic Kenwood Neighborhood Association (St. Petersburg) – First Florida neighborhood association with UPASS access (June 2024)

Organizations interested in offering UPASS can learn more at psta.net.

Stephanie Weaver

PSTA Communications & Public Relations Manager  

O: (727) 540-1853 | C: (727) 249-6542

E: Sweaver@psta.net

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ABOUT PINELLAS SUNCOAST TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Since 1903, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) has served as the premier public transit provider for Pinellas County, Florida’s most densely populated county. The SunRunner, Tampa Bay’s first-ever Bus Rapid Transit service, provides a reliable, car-free option from downtown St. Pete and St. Pete Beach. With 41 fixed-route bus routes, two express routes to downtown Tampa, the Suncoast Beach trolley, Jolley Trolley and Looper and their paratransit service Access, PSTA provides 10.7 million rides annually. For more information about PSTA, visit www.psta.net