The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) board voted 13‑0 on Wednesday to retain Route 90, the bus line that connects south St. Petersburg with St. Pete Beach, through the end of 2026. The decision came after strong pushback from hotel workers and community advocates who rely on the service to get to major employers such as the historic Don CeSar and the TradeWinds resort.
Why Route 90 matters
Route 90 carries roughly 730 riders each month, about one‑quarter of the ridership on the agency’s larger routes. Two‑thirds of those passengers use PSTA’s Universal Pass Program (U‑Pass), which allows participating employers to pay a flat annual fee so employees can ride for free. TradeWinds has been a U‑Pass participant since the program’s early “Sea Pass” days.
Advocates argue the route is essential for workers earning modest wages. Without reliable transit, many would need to purchase a car, a cost that could force families to sacrifice housing, food, child‑care or health care expenses. Alexis Hofstetter, co‑chair of TradeWinds’ Eco Team, told the board that the bus helps the resort recruit and retain staff who live beyond walking distance.
Financial and operational context
PSTA staff originally recommended cutting Route 90 and the Safety Harbor Snapper on‑demand service, estimating a $314,000 annual savings from eliminating the beach route. The board, however, noted that recent hurricanes Helene and Milton had forced several beachfront hotels to close or operate below capacity, skewing ridership numbers. County Commissioner Kathleen Peters warned that the data did not reflect the route’s full potential once hotels fully reopen.
While Route 90 earned an extension, the Safety Harbor Snapper – which averages only 87 riders per month – will be discontinued, saving roughly $135,000 a year. The Snapper service allowed riders to book trips within a defined area, but low density made it costly to operate.
Future transit plans
PSTA also approved several fare adjustments, including a modest increase to the base fare for credit‑card riders (from $2.25 to $2.36) and a rise in the Transportation Disadvantaged monthly pass (from $11 to $13). A fuel surcharge will apply to ferry services when diesel exceeds $4 per gallon.
In addition, the agency plans to open a Direct Connect hub at Enterprise Road and McMullen Booth Road, giving riders a convenient transfer point to the fixed‑route network via Route 78.
Board votes on other services
The board also voted 8‑5 to keep Route 16, Route 58, the Clearwater Snapper and the Grouper airport shuttle. Both Route 16 and Route 58 serve schools, senior centers and major employers, and the agency said no direct alternatives exist for those corridors.
Overall, the board’s actions reflect a balance between fiscal responsibility and the community’s need for reliable, affordable transit that supports families and local businesses.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
