PSTA

For now, the Cross Bay Ferry — which has operated since 2016 — is no longer in service.

The ferry service will operate Thursday through Sunday after a boat crashed into it, killing one person and injuring several others.

Said Whit Blanton, executive director of Forward Pinellas: “This region is one of the fastest growing in the country, and as a result, everybody wants to get everywhere – seemingly all at once. So, we really need to pool our resources and work better together to meet those growing demands.”

Late last year, the Federal Transit Administration said it made a mistake allowing local transit agencies to partner with companies like Uber and Lyft for services, since those companies don't drug test their drivers.

Plans call for it to operate multiple times on Thursday to Sunday starting Nov. 1.

The money will buy 12 electric buses, four hybrid buses, 12 charging stations, 12 depot chargers and equipment.

State Senator Darryl Rouson blocked consideration of the bill in the Senate.

Certain portions of Alternate U.S. 19 see up to 35,000 cars per day. Whit Blanton, the executive director of Forward Pinellas, discusses a study that will look at how the roadway can adapt over the next few decades.

One advocate wants to see more full-county representation, while a PSTA committee chair says that would mean specific communities' issues would be addressed less.

House Bill 1487, filed by Republican Linda Chaney, has been tweaked a bit since it was first shown to the Pinellas County Delegation in November.

Veterans in Pinellas County are now able to ride any PSTA bus for free. It was made possible by a USF political science student who took a project proposal to the board of directors.

Pinellas Republican Representative Linda Chaney is crafting the draft legislation, which would trim the amount of board members from 15 to nine, and completely alter how they're appointed.