Update – 2/14/16
The changes described in the original blog post below are now in effect. Please consult individual route schedules for new times and timepoints, and keep in mind which stop to get off at if you are transferring to another route.
As of 8:45am this morning; PSTA has updated Real Time to reflect the new grid pattern.
Any questions or concerns regarding the upcoming changes should be directed to PSTA. Contact information is listed at the bottom of the original post.
Original Post – 1/29/16
As I mentioned in my blog post yesterday, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is preparing to discontinue Williams Park in Downtown St. Petersburg as a transit hub. This change will allow the City of St. Petersburg to beautify the park so that it will be able to become the urban commons that it was designed to be. The changes will also allow PSTA to create a grid system throughout the downtown area where customers can transfer between routes via street-side bus stops. While there will be many challenges ahead for PSTA as they implement these changes, the agency is hoping for a smooth transition for everyone.
During the weekend of January 30/31, 2016, the bus shelters around Williams Park will be were completely removed, although each of the existing routes will continue to operate as they do now. PSTA staff will be at the park during the next few weeks (beginning January 31 through February 17) to educate customers on where they can catch their bus once the grid system is implemented. Staff members can be identified via the yellow vests that they will be wearing. The service changes will take effect on Sunday, February 14, 2016 (Valentines Day) and will affect Routes 4, 5, 7, 14, 15, 18, 20, 23, 32, 38, 52, 59, 74, 79, 97, and the Central Ave Trolley.
To illustrate how each of the affected routes will operate once the grid system is implemented, including the locations of bus stops, PSTA has uploaded a copy of its service change brochure on PSTA.net. I’m sure that hard copies will also be have been distributed throughout the system as well, and are available at all customer service centers. At some point in the beginning of As of February 10th, new route schedules will be have been distributed throughout the system and uploaded to PSTA.net. Please be sure to check in with PSTA for further updates on the upcoming changes. As soon as additional information becomes available, I will post them to my blog and across my Social Media channels.
Any questions or concerns regarding the upcoming changes should be directed to PSTA. Please do not post comments to my blog or social media channels if you have questions about the service changes. I do not work for PSTA, nor do I have the most current information about the changes.
You may contact PSTA by calling (727) 540-1900, by visiting PSTA.net, by visiting one of four customer service centers located throughout the county, or by asking one of the on-site staff members at Williams Park during the period of January 31 through February 17.
