Rising Gas Prices Prompt Pinellas Bus Authority To Cut Fares

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — As gas prices continue to soar around the country, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is taking some sting out of filling up your gas tank by cutting its fares in half.

The PSTA announced Monday that, starting Monday, March 21 and continuing through Tuesday, May 31, residents will be able to ride PSTA buses for half price.

Regular single-ride fares will drop from $2.25 to $1.10, with a daily cap of $2.50 and a monthly cap of $35.

Residents qualifying for reduced fares will pay just 55 cents with a daily cap of $1.25 and a monthly cap of $17.50.

The discount only applies to Flamingo Fare Card or PSTA app users.

See related story: FL Gas Prices Smash Previous Record-High

PSTA said it will also further discount fare paid through the Flamingo Fares card or app.

The $3 card fee will be waived if the user loads more than $20 onto their new card. New app accounts are free.

“Public transportation is the obvious and No. 1 alternative to being held hostage by high gas prices,” said Brad Miller, chief executive officer of the PSTA. “Providing current riders additional savings and inviting new riders the option to dump the pump offers local families a significant way to improve their bottom line.”

PSTA said riders can save nearly $300 using the Flamingo Fares monthly pass.

“As gas prices continue to soar, the need for Pinellas County residents to get to work, the grocery store or an appointment has not changed; so PSTA will take them there for 90 percent less than the price at the pump when they use Flamingo Fares,” said Miller. “As the costs of driving alone and damage to our environment go up, we thought this was a good time to have the cost of a more sustainable transportation option go down.”

Ride For Free To Clearwater Beach

Additionally, during spring break, PSTA is providing free bus service to Clearwater Beach to take the headache out of searching for a parking space at the beach during this busy period.

Beach goers can take the bus or Jolley Trolley Monday through Friday from the old Clearwater City Hall lot at 112 S Osceola Ave., Clearwater, and Saturday and Sunday from the old City Hall lot, the county garage at 310 Court St., Clearwater, from 450 Oak Ave., Clearwater and from 311 S Osceola Ave., Clearwater.

The PSTA shuttle and Jolley Trolley will run every 30 minutes Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and every 15 minutes Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to midnight.

Return service to the Park & Ride lot will board at the Clearwater Beach Marina, 25 Causeway Blvd.

"Clearwater Beach continues to thrive as one of the top destinations in the state of Florida. While there is plenty of room to spread out over three miles of our sugar sand beaches, finding a place to park your vehicle can be challenging at times,” said Lisa Chandler, owner of the Pier 60 concessions and founder of the Sugar Sand Festival. “Alternative modes of transportation like the Jolley Trolley, buses and water taxi services are crucial to the success of our barrier island economy and vitality, as they offer a convenient cost-effective way to experience the best of Clearwater Beach.

More than 50,000 vehicles drive through the Clearwater Beach roundabout on a typical spring break day.

This is the fourth year PSTA and the city have partnered to provide enhanced public transportation services as an alternative to driving and parking at the beach.

“We are excited to be welcoming back tourists to the area, as well as our popular and convenient Spring Break service,” said Miller. “This will help provide a relaxing, safe and eco-friendly way for everyone to enjoy our world-famous beaches.”

The service will be available through April 30.

For more information on the Spring Break Park & Ride service, call PSTA’s InfoLine at 727-540-1900, or visit click here.