The PSTA has scheduled two public meetings next week to discuss a proposal to speed up bus service between St. Petersburg and the beaches.

ST. PETERSBURG – The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority will hold two public workshops on the proposed express bus rapid transit line between St. Petersburg and the beaches.

BRT service in St. Petersburg’s Central Avenue corridor from downtown to the Gulf beaches has some existing funding identified. It is the most shovel-ready project of the six potential corridors recommended in past studies, making it an ideal BRT pilot project for Pinellas County, according to PSTA officials.

The goals of the Central Avenue BRT project are to develop and implement successful BRT service that

• *supports local revitalization and economic development plans;
• *supports tourism with a fast, convenient transportation alternative between two of Pinellas’ major tourist centers;
• *attracts new ridership;
• *supports the unique character of the area; and
• *provides service in a cost-effective manner.

The Central Ave BRT will complement local service provided by the existing Central Avenue Trolley by providing expedited, limited stop travel from downtown St. Petersburg to the beaches, seven days a week on First Avenue N for westbound riders and First Avenue S for eastbound riders.

The trolley route will continue to serve numerous destinations along the corridor, while the proposed BRT will serve only major stops in the corridor, cutting the current transit travel time from St. Pete to the beaches by more than a third.

This pilot BRT route will be the first of what may ultimately be a future network of rapid transit services connecting Clearwater Beach, Tampa International Airport, and other key tourist destinations and economic centers.

The first public hearing is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday (Aug. 1) at St. Petersburg College, Room DC-210, 244 Second Ave. N. The second is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 2) at SPC’s Gibbs campus, Room SA114, 6605 5th Ave. N.

For information about the proposed BRT or about the PSTA, go to psta.net.

PSTA | St. Petersburg | Beaches | Bus Service | Bus Rapid Transit | TB Reporter

#PSTA #StPetersburg #Beaches #BusService #BusRapidTransit #TBReporter