Seminole Reverts to SlumShelter

At one time the grounds surrounding the PSTA shelters at Seminole Mall were so filthy the mayor of Seminole sent out a crew to clean them up. Now the passenger waiting area is once again littered with literally thousands of cigarette butts. The rep for Seminole(actually an official of another community) on the PSTA Board of Directors says the agency has directed the privatized cleaners to do better. So far no change but we're holding our breath.

Passengers and Sometimes Freight

Anyone who rides the bus regularly without an alternate source of transportation is going to be carrying packages, sometimes small and sometimes large. When space permits it is allowable to use an adjoining empty seat but sometimes there are so many packages and they are so large they end up on the floor like those shown above which were stowed in the narrow aisle of a bus on route 7 just behind the driver. Usually a public bus carries riders but sometimes there's a little freight too.

15 new buses have been added to the PSTA fleet. They look new. They smell new. And they ride like a dream. A few routes like the 38 and the 62 seem lucky enough to get one ofthe new buses everyday while most of us have to continue with older buses but 40+ more are due next year so we're hoilding our breath!

School's Out!

Senior seats on the bus are often held hostage, even when needed by frail and elderly seniors. Both children and adults can occupy the seats legally but are supposed to vacate them on request by a senior passenger. Most seniors seem reluctant to make such a request and most of those in the seats do not seem eager to move on their own. NYC's Metro is impressive in that most passengers bypass the senior seats if something else is available and if they do occupy these seats are quick to vacate them when they spot a senior boarding.

Budapest Trolley Bus at Night 

PSTA Trolley 

Are Trolleys a Tough Ride

Are Trolleys A Tough Ride?

Following complaints that seats in the PSTA trolleys are uncomfortable, we took a ride in late January. It was found that forward facing seats were padded and tolerable while those facing the center of the bus without pads were definitely tough riding and, like some PSTA buses, the seat directly behind the rear exit had so little legroom only children could fit in comfortably.

When the motor is turned off, passengers cannot identify buses. 

Hurricane Hits Pinellas Bus Service

Hurricane Charlie missed the Tampa Bay area but before this was obvious PSTA cancelled all bus service for two days leaving the aged, the disabled and the low-income who make up the bulk of the passengers in Pinellas County high and dry, so to speak. Perhaps the worst part was the fact that this was not mentioned in the media although it was displayed on the agency's website prominently. Unfortunately there are not many computers among the groups named.

The agency also ran evacuations for those without transportation or other shelter but this also was not mentioned on the TV which frequently repeated the condition of highways and other information for motorists fleeing the expected storm(800,00 it is said). All in all, Charlie didn't hit the Tampa Bay area after all but it certainly provided an excellent example of how unimportant public transit is in Tampa Bay.

Before we close, a big round of applause for all those PSTA drivers who left their homes and families in the face of an expected Category 3 hurricane to chauffeur the evacuation buses!