Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Program

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Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Program

What is the TD Program?

The Pinellas County Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Program is a state-funded program that provides reduced cost transportation throughout the county to individuals who qualify as “Transportation Disadvantaged.” The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is the Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) for Pinellas County. As the CTC, PSTA is responsible for managing the TD Program.

The Local Coordinating Board (LCB) is responsible for overseeing PSTA in their role as the CTC for Pinellas County. The Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged (Commission) provides guidance as to who should serve on the LCB. The Pinellas LCB meets once a quarter.

Forward Pinellas is the Designated Official Planning Agency for the TD Program in Pinellas County. Forward Pinellas appoints and staffs the LCB and provides recommendations to the Commission on who should serve as the CTC. Forward Pinellas assists the Commission at the local level in accomplishing the coordination of transportation services to the transportation disadvantaged.

PSTA bus at Park Street Terminal, Downtown Clearwater

What are the TD Program Transportation Options?

TD customers may receive a 31-day bus pass with a customer co-payment of $11 or a 10 non-consecutive day bus pass with a customer co-payment of $5. For TD customers unable to ride the bus, non-emergency door-to-door service is provided by taxi cabs or wheelchair accessible vans for $3 a trip.

TD Program Requirements and How to Apply

To qualify for the TD Program, the person must live in Pinellas County, have no means of transportation, including family and friends, and an income no greater than 150% of the federal poverty level. Information on the exact dollar amounts needed to qualify for the program, the TD Program application, and information on where TD Program customers can purchase bus passes is available on PSTA’s website.

LCB Requirements and TD Program Documents

Each year, the LCB is required to hold an annual public hearing. The Pinellas LCB typically holds a public hearing in February, around the same time as the regularly scheduled LCB meeting. The LCB also approves bylaws and grievance procedures annually.

Every five years, the LCB develops a Transportation Disadvantaged Service Plan. The TDSP identifies and describes Pinellas County’s population and needs, how TD services are accessed, and provides and addresses quality assurance. Each year, the LCB updates the TDSP to ensure that the information in the TDSP is accurate and reflects the TD Program.

In addition to updating TDSP, each year the LCB evaluates PSTA in their role as the CTC. This comprehensive CTC Evaluation includes surveying TD Program customers, reviewing TD services, and making recommendations for improvements.

How Can I Help the Transportation Disadvantaged?

The TD Program statewide is funded through the Transportation Disadvantaged Trust Fund. You can contribute to the fund when you register or renew your car, truck or boat.

Interested in serving on the LCB? See our Advisory Committee page.

For More Information on the TD Program

Visit the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged’s website.

Visit PSTA’s website or call PSTA at (727) 540-1990

Email or call Robert Feigel at rfeigel@forwardpinellas.org (727) 464-5645.