Page was created on 01/08/2025.
PSTA currently operates on a hybrid network; comprising of elements of a true grid – where transfers are done at key intersections, and traditional hub-spoke – where multiple routes converge on a single hub to allow for seamless transfer. Because of gradual shifts towards a grid-based system, some transfer hubs that were prominent back in the 1980s and 90s were phased out.
On February 14, 2016, PSTA shifted all of its Downtown St. Petersburg originating bus routes from a transfer hub at Williams Park to a grid system where transfers are made street-side. This allows for better flowing of routes while maintaining close proximity to various downtown attractions.
While the Customer Service Center building at Williams Park – located behind the amphitheater – still stands, PSTA is currently not staffing the center. Customers should either call the PSTA InfoLine at 727-540-1900, or visit the Customer Service Center at Grand Central Station during normal business hours.
You can see above the differences between when bus routes hubbed out of Williams Park versus the network today. The use of Williams Park as a bus hub dates back to when SPMTS was still in existence.
Major Transfer Centers
Situated along Central Ave by US Highway 19 is the Grand Central Station (originally called the Central Plaza Terminal) facility, serving the needs of the Grand Central District neighborhood of St. Petersburg & surrounding areas.
This circular intermodal hub opened in 2002 & comprises of 12 bus loading bays, customer & staff restrooms, seating areas, & a dual-window Customer Service Center. The south end of the complex serves as an eastbound stop for the SunRunner BRT. Customers wishing to catch a westbound bus will need to walk one block north to 1st Ave N.
Grand Central Station currently serves Routes 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 15, 18, 34, 52, 52LX, 79, 90, & the Central Ave Trolley.
Situated behind the Regal Theatres building along the south side of the Shoppes at Park Place shopping complex, the Pinellas Park Transit Center serves the needs of the Pinellas Park as well as the Lealman District of St. Petersburg.
While the general transfer location dates back to the days of the former ParkSide Mall, the entire property was redeveloped during the course of the 2000s. The current island platform has 4 shelters, along with a building across the bus-only lane that is equipped with customer & staff restrooms, & a dual-window Customer Service Center.
The Pinellas Park Transit Center currently serves Routes Routes 11, 19, 52, 52LX, 74, & 75. Greyhound intercity bus trips will also board & alight here.
Some Important Notes:
Grand Central
SunRunner buses do not enter Grand Central Station.
Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) Route 203 also does not enter Grand Central Station. Customers may catch the MCAT bus by walking to 34th St S, then proceed to the stop located just south of 1st Ave S. I’ve provided a diagram to illustrate where the stop locations are (scroll down).
Pinellas Park Transit Center
While Greyhound allows for some of its trips to board & alight at the Pinellas Park Transit Center, there is no ticketing office on site. Customers wishing to use Greyhound will need to purchase tickets online or call 1-800-231-2222 for further information. Greyhound is currently in the process of consolidating, relocating, & closing its legacy terminals – including the one in Downtown Tampa, so as a result, physical ticketing sales may not be available unless otherwise posted.
For those catching Flixbus, which is Greyhound’s parent company, Flixbus does not serve any of PSTA’s terminals. Customers can board & alight at the stop located at 860 Central Ave in Downtown St. Petersburg. The Flixbus stop is next to PSTA stop # 8019, serving the Central Ave Trolley eastbound.
PSTA SunRunner & MCAT Route 203 Boarding Locations near Grand Central Station:
- The PSTA SunRunner stops along 1st Ave N & 1st Ave S are oriented on the left side of the roadway, so there will be no need to cross either street in their entirety to access those stops if coming from Central Ave. You will only need to cross the left-hand bus lane using the designated crossing point.
- However, you will only need to cross either street in their entirety if coming from north of 1st Ave N or from south of 1st Ave S.
- While you can access the eastbound PSTA SunRunner stop without leaving the Grand Central Station property, you will need to walk a short distance to access the westbound stop, as well as the stops for the MCAT Route 203. So please keep this in mind when making connections – especially during inclement weather.
As the newest major transfer point in the PSTA system, the Largo Transit Center serves southeast Clearwater & much of Largo. The island platform, located adjacent to the Largo Commons Walmart, contains 4 shelters, along with corresponding bus bays. However, it is the only major transfer point that does not include a Customer Service Center.
The Largo Transit Center opened in 2018 & replaced a transfer point adjacent to nearby Tri-City Plaza, which underwent redevelopment from the same year until 2021. Prior to all this however, the former Crossroads Mall, an outlet destination, sat on the land. The mall closed down in the 2000s due to declining foot traffic.
The Largo Transit Center currently serves Routes 19, 34, 52, 52LX, & 79.
The Park Street Terminal, located in the heart of Downtown Clearwater, serves as PSTA’s oldest major transfer point. The facility opened in 1983 & contains 8 bus bays, customer & staff restrooms, seating areas, & a Customer Service Center.
Despite receiving rehabilitation & some upgrades over the years, the facility remains woefully inadequate to handle the needs of the transit system today. Due to the lower clearance of the roof structure, the 2009 through 2015 hybrid buses can barely fit, with the 2016 & newer hybrids being unable to fit at all. It is because of this & other issues that a replacement terminal is currently in the works.
The Park Street Terminal currently serves Routes 18, 52, 52LX, 60, 61, 65, 66L, 67, 73, 76, 78, & the Suncoast Beach Trolley.
Situated next to the PSTA facility, the 34th St N Transfer Center (also known as the PSTA Complex stop) comprises of an island platform with 4 shelters & a building across the bus-only lane to accommodate customer & staff restrooms. During normal business hours, customers can walk over to the lobby of the PSTA facility if they have appointments to meet with staff, have a Lost & Found Department appointment, or are attending an agency meeting.
The 34th St N Transfer Center currently serves Routes 4, 11, 52, 52LX, & 59.
Other Transfer Points
- Tyrone Square Mall: Two platforms are situated along the westbound lanes of 22nd Ave N, on the south side of Tyrone Square Mall. Shelters A and B are situated west of 68th St N, while Shelters C, D, and E are east of 68th St N. Serving Routes 5, 7, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 38, 62, 68, 73, 75, & 79.
- Specific shelter assignments are no longer being enforced as of February, 2022. Routes 5, 23, 68, 73, & 79 (northbound) continue to board/alight west of the 22nd Ave N/68th St N intersection, while Routes 7, 18, 20, 22, 38, 62, 75, & 79 (southbound) continue to board/alight east of the intersection. However, customers will need to be aware of which bus pulls into the respective boarding area & ensure they are boarding the correct bus.
- Countryside Mall: Singular sheltered street-side platform along SR 580, just east of Summerdale Dr. Serving Routes 19, 61, 62, 67, 76, 78, 812, 813, & 814.
- Clearwater Mall: Singular sheltered platform on mall property ,near Target. Serving Routes 19 and 60.
- Largo Mall: The stop next to Target serving Route 18 & 59.
- Eastbound Route 59 buses do not stop here. Customers can transfer to/from Route 18 using the street-side stop next to Olive Garden on Ulmerton Rd.
- Gateway Market Center (still referred to as Gateway Mall): Quad sheltered platform along the westbound lanes of 77th Ave N (adjacent to HomeGoods) continues to serve as vital transfer point to those in east-central Pinellas. Serving Routes 4, 9, 16, 58, 59, 74, 75, & 100X.
- There are no specific shelter assignments. Buses will simply pull up to the western-most shelter (next to the plaza entrance from 77th Ave N) when boarding is ready to commence. Customers will need to be aware of which bus pulls into the boarding area & ensure they are boarding the correct bus. Customers should not attempt to board any bus from the layover zone by the US Post Office.
- Indian Rocks Shopping Center: This singular sheltered platform used to serve up to five PSTA bus routes. However, due to reconstruction of Ulmerton Rd, and the overall shift of the PSTA network towards street-side transfers, the shelter only serves Route 61. Streetside stops available for Routes 59 (on Ulmerton Rd) & 65 (on Indian Rocks Rd).
- Indian Rocks Beach: Singular sheltered platform at 1st St & 4th Ave for Route 59. This allows Route 59 customers to take a short walk to Gulf Blvd to connect to the Suncoast Beach Trolley.
- Seminole City Center: Singular sheltered platform on Johnson Blvd, adjacent to the southeast corner of the shopping center. Serving Routes 18, 58, 65
- Due to traffic flow constraints on Johnson Blvd, bus operators are not encouraged to layover for long periods of time. Therefore, many buses will only enter the bus pull-in area if customers indicate that they wish to board that particular bus. This will especially be the case with Route 18 – which does not terminate at this location.
- Tarpon Mall: Serving Routes 19, 66L, & the Jolley Trolley Coastal Route (as well as PCPT Route 19 on Mondays through Saturdays). The singular sheltered platform is located behind the mall at Tarpon Ave & Huey Ave.
- The Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks: Serving Route 66L & the Jolley Trolley Coastal Route, (as well as PCPT Route 18 on Mondays through Saturdays).
- The Shoppes at Boot Ranch: Serving Route 62, 812, & shuttle service to parts of East Lake.
- The John’s Pass Boardwalk and Shopping Plaza: A stop at the plaza serves Route 68, allowing customers to connect to the Suncoast Beach Trolley.
- Pinellas Point: Street-side stops along 25th Way S by Roy Hanna Dr serve as a transfer point for Routes 4, 11, 20, & 90.
For St. Pete Beach (75th Ave @ Gulf Blvd)
The dual sheltered transfer point only serves the Suncoast Beach Trolley (SCBT) & Route 90.
Shelter A serves Route 90 & Shelter B serves the SCBT.
To transfer to/from the SunRunner, walk along 75th Ave & cross Blind Pass Rd.
The westbound (To the Beach) stop is located on the northeast corner of 75th Ave & Boca Ciega Dr & the eastbound (To the Burg) stop is located on the southwest corner of the same intersection.
The Global Transit Guidebook 