PSTA Will Receive $120,000 Under Initiative To Connect Riders

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority will receive $120,000 under the Accelerating Innovative Mobility initiative to connect riders in areas with low-frequency transit service to subsidized on-demand trips using a mobile app, said PSTA.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration recently announced 25 projects in 24 states, including Florida, and one territory will receive a share of approximately $14 million in funding through the AIM initiative.

"As we face this public health emergency, investments in innovation are critical for transit agencies to better meet rider expectations and adapt to changes in our transportation system," said FTA Deputy Administrator K. Jane Williams. "We are pleased to collaborate with these grant recipients to develop new service methods to improve safety, increase access, develop more efficient operations and enhance the transit experience for all."

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AIM grant recipients will deploy new transportation technologies and services, including micro transit, vehicle automation, integrating ride-hailing services with transit and contactless fare payments.

By supporting state-of-the-art approaches, FTA said the AIM initiative supports innovators testing nationwide approaches that will benefit other public transportation providers and passengers.

Twenty of the AIM projects are located in or benefit rural areas, consistent with the Department's Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) initiative, said FTA.

Six of the projects include innovations to help alleviate coronavirus issues, including contactless payment, social distancing, innovative scheduling and real-time information to reduce crowding.

This is the second time in less than a month that PSTA has been afforded funds from the FTA.

In August, Congressman Charlie Crist attended the groundbreaking event of the PSTA's construction project for St. Pete's SunRunner Bus Rapid Transit line, and presented a check for $21 million from the FTA for the project expected to be completed in 2022.