Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority To Allow Free Rides To Teachers, Students

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Students and teachers will have free bus rides through Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) starting in January, a news release said.

The Pinellas County School Board approved a partnership with PSTA Tuesday that allows Pinellas County Schools (PCS) students and staff to ride free by showing the PTSA driver their student or staff ID.

“We are thrilled to partner with PSTA to improve transportation options for our students and employees,” Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Grego said. “Not only will our students and staff have free public transit to and from campus, they will also enjoy free PTSA bus service after school hours and on weekends.”

The opportunity has been provided by the Universal Pass or UPASS, an agreement between the school district and the PSTA.

“PSTA has numerous public transit routes and bus stops convenient to schools throughout the county,” Brad Miller, chief executive officer of PSTA, said. “But UPass offers much more. All PCS students and staff will be able to ride for free, any time, on all routes so they can access jobs, after-school activities, or even the beach.”

In addition, for the 2022-2023 school year, PSTA and PCS will work on a pilot program to time PSTA bus routes, route schedules, and PCS bell times to serve students at Dunedin, Largo and Gibbs high schools.

To find out how to ride, visit psta.net