Rep. Linda Chaney, R-St. Pete Beach, has proposed a bill that will change the way the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is governed, stripping the agency away from our award winning local transportation authority - which was recently recognized as the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) 2023 Transit System of the Year.

This proposed legislation that will threaten to disrupt the balance of power within PSTA by:

• Significantly reducing the size of PSTA's board, limiting representation from individual cities and instead shifting the boards governance to the Pinellas County Commission and appointees by the Governor and St. Pete City Council
• Limiting the flexibility for the agency to provide fare-free service that has been proven effective in attracting first-time riders by requiring approval by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners in two public meetings, each with a 30-day public notice, to provide fare-free service for special events and holidays
• Requiring unnecessary additional board oversight for planning decisions that will limit the future of transportation in the region
• Changing the definition of public transportation to eliminate the types of services that PSTA could provide in the future such as street railway, elevated railway, and subway services

PSTA is an important organization that manages public transportation services for over 900 thousand residents in Pinellas County. Shrinking its board will limit representation from diverse perspectives and hinder its ability to effectively serve our community. Giving more control to the county commission may lead to decisions that prioritize political interests over public needs. It is crucial for us as citizens of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County at large to express our opposition against these proposed changes.

We urge you to sign this petition as a concerned citizen and as a beneficiary of services provided by PSTA. Let's protect broad representation within PSTA to ensure it continues serving us effectively.