Florida: Clearwater Transit Center

After 41 Years, a Multi-Modal Transit Station for Clearwater  

Challenge: The 41-year-old bus station operated by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) at Park St. in Clearwater has been functionally obsolete for years and is rife with needed repairs, including aging plumbing and a leaky roof that makes fitting hybrid and electric buses under it impossible. What’s more, each weekday 2,300 riders crowd into the center with an interior space originally designed for far fewer occupants. The center itself is unable to serve all 14 current routes; bus and trolley operators let people off on side streets.  

Solution: With help from the federal infrastructure investment law, the old transit center is giving way to a new mass transit hub replete with 16 bus bays, that will link riders in downtown Clearwater to the Pinellas County beaches. Sustainability features include solar panels and charging stations to accommodate the larger electric buses. Throw in bicycle and scooter storage, ride-share connections, and boarding accommodations for the elderly and disabled, and you have a bus station much better suited to the variable demands of today’s multi-modal community.  

What they’re saying: “After years of trying to get the funds to replace the old Park Street terminal, this new transportation hub will be an absolute game-changer. This will make it easier for people to reach Clearwater and our beautiful beaches. It’s a big win for our community, local business and future redevelopment plans.” – Pat Gerard, Chair of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA Press Release, 08/22/2022)