[Finally, a plan for a Bus Rapid Transit system connecting downtown St. Pete to Pinellas County beaches is ready to be proposed to the Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization. This is a step in the right direction. I hope Hillsborough County is watching because our HART bus system needs the same type of BRT service. It's a plan if approved, is likely to be ready to break ground once funding is appropriated. But first, comes the leg work. Working with the PMPO to see it approved and included in the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) this June. To learn more click on the link
Pinellas transit authority inches closer to long-anticipated speedy bus route
Janelle Irwin is a reporter for the Tampa Bay Business Journal and wrote this article for TBBJ - 4/17/17
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is getting ready to take the next step in implementing Bus Rapid Transit connecting downtown St. Petersburg to the beaches.
PSTA is sending an environmental impact report on the project to the Federal Transit Administration this month.The route would include traffic signal prioritization, so buses could make the trek from Tampa Bay to the Gulf beaches faster. The agency will also begin public outreach on the plan. PSTA will bring its BRT pitch to the Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization in June to add the project to its Transportation Improvement Plan, a necessary step in launching service.
PSTA has also developed a priority route. As anticipated, the majority of the route will run along First Avenues North and South. Buses will also traverse Pasadena Boulevard and Gulf Boulevard through St. Pete Beach. The route will loop around downtown St. Pete from 1st Avenue North to 6th Avenue South along 3rd and 4th streets.
The plan will require bike lanes along portions of 1st Avenues North and South to be relocated to Central Avenue. The plan requires minimal changes to existing traffic patterns, and some sections of the route may require road widening at stations.
Stops will be located all along 1st Avenues North and South as well as near the hospital on Pasadena Boulevard, Sunset Drive and at the Don CeSar and TradeWinds Resort on Gulf Boulevard.
There are still questions about how the beach stops along Gulf Boulevard will be funded. The city of St. Pete Beach has refused to give additional funding to PSTA for expanded service. The city is not a PSTA member like most cities in the county, which means the city does not contribute a portion of property tax revenue to the agency. Instead, it pays a $500,000 flat fee for minimal service.
St. Pete Beach Mayor Alan Johnson told the Tampa Bay Business Journal last month he didn’t think the additional service was necessary.
PSTA plans to deliver the report being prepared for the Federal Transit Administration in August. It also includes recommendations for the downtown St. Pete circulator that would complement BRT. Those recommendations include 10- to 15-minute frequency at stops and all-electric vehicles.
