Direct Connect & TD Late Shift

Get to or from a PSTA bus stop with ease!

Page was last updated On 05/03/2021.
Added instructions regarding Lyft & updated Uber instructions.

Direct Connect & TD Late Shift continue to operate under Covid-19. Service times may be adjusted accordingly. Please visit the PSTA website for the latest information.

Direct Connect Program

Getting to and from the bus stop can be a challenge – especially if the stop is quite a distance away from your home, school, or place of employment. While many don’t mind walking or biking to and from the stop, there are circumstances (such as weather) where you probably won’t want to do that. And what about those who aren’t physically able to get to the bus stop? Those individuals are among many who decide that transit isn’t the way to go because they can’t find ways to get from their originating point to the bus stop and/or from the bus stop to their final destination. This is often times known as the “First-Mile, Last-Mile” gap, and it has long been a problem with many transit agencies.

In 2015, PSTA came up with an innovative solution to this problem called Direct Connect. Direct Connect allows riders to summon a taxi or rideshare vehicle for as low as $1.00 (regular bus fare is NOT INCLUDED). Participating partners include Uber, United Taxi, and Wheelchair Transport. Plans are also in the works for Lyft to join at a later date. To use the Direct Connect service, simply select the service partner you wish to use, then call or visit the partner’s website or app to make your reservation. You will need to make sure that you mention or enter the PSTA promotion code to receive the Direct Connect discount on your trip. Also, your origin or destination must be a designated PSTA stop within one of 8 zones within Pinellas County.

Current Direct Connect Service Providers

  • Uber
    1. Download the Uber App from the AppStore (Apple) or Google Play Store (Android).
    2. Set up your Uber account (first-time users).
    3. Visit the PSTA Direct Connect page for the current voucher ID URL & then follow the instructions to add the voucher to your Uber account.
    4. To ensure that your voucher is active, go into the Uber app & select the menu icon (noted by the three horizontal lines on the upper-left hand corner of the screen), then select Wallet, then scroll down to Vouchers. You will then see the Direct Connect voucher status, expiration date, time restrictions (cannot be used during the hours of 12am & 5am), & trips remaining.
    5. When you’re ready to ride, select the Ride button on the main menu, then enter your origin and destination (one of which must be a PSTA Direct Connect Stop).
    6. From the ride options available, select the PSTA option. The voucher discount will automatically apply once you’ve selected the option.
    7. Accept any required confirmations (i.e. fare change, Covid-19 mask requirement).
    8. Summon your Uber vehicle.
  • Lyft
    1. Download the Lyft App from your phone’s app store (same process as downloading the Uber app).
    2. Set up your Lyft account (first-time users).
    3. Select the menu icon (noted by the three horizontal lines on the upper-left hand corner of the screen), then select Rewards, then Add promo code.
    4. Enter promo code LYFT2PSTA. You will see a confirmation screen with the PSTA logo showing, along with the number of trips allocated & the expiration date.
    5. To ensure that the promotion is active, menu icon (noted by the three horizontal lines on the upper-left hand corner of the screen), then select Payment, then scroll down to Lyft Pass to see that the Direct Connect promo is active. You can also see how many trips are remaining.
    6. When you’re ready to ride, select the Ride button on the main menu, then enter your origin and destination (one of which must be a PSTA Direct Connect Stop).
    7. Select your desired ride option, the promo discount will automatically be reflected in the fare.
    8. Accept any required confirmations (i.e. fare change, Covid-19 mask requirement).
    9. Summon your Lyft vehicle.
  • United Taxi
    • Call (727)-777-7777 & mention Direct Connect to the dispatcher, or
    • Download the United Taxi App
  • Wheelchair Transport
    • Call (727)-586-2811, or
    • Visit wheelchairtransport.com
    • $25.00 discount will be applied to the trip
  • Lyft will be joining at a later date
  • Direct Connect services are available seven days a week between 5:00am and 12:00-midnight.

Current Direct Connect Stops and Zones

With the Phase III Expansion, ZONE BOUNDARIES HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED! Additionally, more stops have been added to the network, totaling 26, to allow customers a broader range of areas to access with less chances of having to “backtrack” on their trips. On 10/20/19, a 25th & 26th stop were added.

For complete instructions on how to summon your Direct Connect ride, stops, and current incentives for using the service, please visit PSTA’s website or call (727)-540-1900.

TD Late Shift Program

Driving upon the success of the initial Direct Connect program, PSTA obtained a state mobility grant in 2016 and launched the Transportation Disadvantaged (or TD) Late Shift program. This program provides up to a certain number of rides per month via Uber, United Taxi, or Care Ride to low income residents who are without transportation, who need to get to or from work during overnight hours when bus service is not available. Visit PSTA’s website for more information regarding the PSTA TD program, including Late Shift and qualification requirements.

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