PSTA Engaging with the St. Pete Young Professionals
Engaging the Future: SPYP Welcomes Bob Lasher from PSTA
On August 1st, the St. Petersburg Young Professionals (SPYP) gathered for their monthly Engagement Meeting at the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce. These meetings, held on the first Thursday of each month, provide a platform for young professionals to learn from and interact with key community leaders. This month, the spotlight was on Bob Lasher, the External Affairs Officer at Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA).
Bob Lasher brought a wealth of information about PSTA and its vital role in our community. PSTA, a non-profit organization, operates one of the most underfunded transit systems in the United States, yet it remains a cornerstone of public transportation in Pinellas County.
Sharing some impressive statistics:
Transit Vehicles:
- Total Buses: 212
- Hybrid Buses: 89 Diesel-Electric Hybrid
- Full Electric Buses: 6 (with 60 more on order)
Bus Routes:
- otal Routes: 46
- Express Routes to Hillsborough County: 2
- SunRunner and Contracted Services
Infrastructure:
- Bus Stops: 4,395
- Bus Shelters: 655
Workforce and Ridership:
- Employees: 659
- Annual Riders: 10.4 Million
Lasher delved into the challenges and triumphs of PSTA. One of the notable challenges is service frequency. While most routes run once an hour, three routes—the 4, SunRunner, and 59—operate every 15 minutes. Increased frequency is a goal for PSTA, but current funding constraints limit their ability to expand this service.
Demographic Dreakdown
A fascinating aspect of PSTA's ridership is the demographic breakdown. Lasher noted that 57% of the riders are part-time users, and that a previous survey showed that 29.2% of residents have used a trolley or bus in the last five years in Pinellas County. PSTA serves 22 of the 25 municipalities in Pinellas County, along with unincorporated areas, providing essential transportation services across a vast region. However, direct service is not provided within Belleair Beach, Belleair Shores, or Kenneth City, though PSTA does offer contracted services to Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach.
The SunRunner
The SunRunner service was a significant highlight of Lasher's presentation. Initially conceived in the 1990s and intended to launch in 2006, the project faced long delays due to the recession. Thanks to $48 million in federal funding, the SunRunner was eventually completed under budget with minimal delays. It operates every 15 minutes from 6 AM to 8 PM and every 30 minutes until midnight. Excitingly, a new funding offer from the City of St. petersburg will enable 15-minute service on Friday and Saturday nights starting October 1st.
The SunRunner boasts several innovations designed to enhance the rider experience. Level boarding facilitates faster loading and unloading, while bike stands on buses encourage eco-friendly travel. Although the current SunRunner buses are hybrids to ensure they can run all day, future models are expected to be fully electric. PSTA is also making strides in payment integration, accepting cashless payments and integrating with various apps for added convenience. Each SunRunner station features local art, including pieces by Catherine Woods, and provides charging ports for passengers.
Operational challenges are an ongoing concern for PSTA. One issue is ensuring buses remain operational during power outages, especially as the fleet transitions to electric vehicles. Additionally, PSTA rotates its fleet across all routes to ensure equitable service quality, avoiding scenarios where certain routes consistently get older buses.
Looking Ahead
PSTA has ambitious plans to enhance and expand its services. A new downtown SunRunner stop is being added to bring riders closer to the pier, and discussions are ongoing with the Tampa Bay Rays to facilitate transportation for event attendees. A similar, smaller scale Bus Rapid Transit Service is being planned for the Marina District along 34th St. South and is tentatively scheduled to being in summer 2025.
Bob Lasher's presentation was a testament to PSTA's commitment to innovation and community service. We extend our heartfelt thanks to him for sharing his insights with the SPYPs.
We invite everyone to join us at the next SPYP Engagement Meeting. Sign up now, and stay tuned for announcements about our next guest speaker. The SPYP Engagement Meetings are an excellent opportunity to connect with community leaders and stay informed about the vital issues shaping our city.
