The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is launching an easier way for you to ride the bus, and you can test it out for free. The new electronic fare cards, with the catchy name Flamingo Fares, officially start July 5th with free rides through the end of August. Fares will resume on July 5th for customers without a Flamingo Fares app or card.
This new system creates a contact free way to get on and off the bus. Rides with a Flamingo Fares card/app just have to tap their card or scan the app as they board a PSTA bus.
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Flamingo Fares makes riding the bus quicker and easier
The new system could also make boarding more efficient. For those looking to make it somewhere important on public transit, you know that every second counts.
“The health and safety of our drivers and riders is always our top priority, and it’s exciting to invest in technology that makes protecting them easier,” said Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer of PSTA.
It’s essentially the Tampa Bay region’s version of the New York City’s Metro Card or Seattle’s Hop. The “smart card,” like a plastic credit card, may be reloaded with fares and reused over and over. Riders can also go card-free by just using the app.
“Not only are Flamingo Fares simpler to use, but it will also save riders money,” Miller said.
Fare capping will save frequent riders a lot of money
A new revelation from the app is the “fare capping” function for frequent riders.
Unlike buying single tickets or guessing at how much they will ride, Flamingo Fare riders will experience a new benefit called “fare capping”. If riders reach the daily or monthly maximum fare, they won’t be charged for additional trips. Also, people who register their accounts online can quickly deactivate and replace lost cards for full balance protection.
PSTA is the only county transportation system giving out free Flamingo rides over the next two months. Cards will cost $3 each and regular fares apply starting September 1st, 2021.
Riders using PSTA magnetic stripe paper cards are encouraged to use them through December 2021. Starting January 1, 2022, these cards will no longer be accepted.
Flamingo Cards are available at the PSTA customer service window now or at over 90retailers who sell PSTA passes beginning in September.
Get a card, or download the app to begin using Flamingo Fares
Go to FLAMINGOFARES.COM to register a Flamingo card, download the Flamingo Fares app, and pay for fares.
This is just one revelation in a long line of planned improvements designed to make a more car-free St. Pete.
The Sunrunner Rapid Transit Service is set to provide direct connections between downtown St. Petersburg and the beaches. Dedicated lanes on 1st Avenues North and South will insure efficient service without disrupting the flow of local traffic.
In February, PSTA unveiled a new line of all-electric buses. 
PSTA adds electric buses to its fleet
About half of PSTA’s fleet is now electric or hybrid. This underscores PSTA’s commitment to clean energy and sustainability in Pinellas County.
“Our electric buses now will be running in all parts of Pinellas County,” Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer of PSTA said. “We are committed to sustainable choices that are environmentally responsible and financially stable. Our electric bus program will contribute to improved air quality for Pinellas County residents, and it will reduce the costs of operating our fleet.’’
The Cross-Bay Ferry could begin year-round service in the Tampa Bay region, according to a recent report by ABC Action News. PSTA is currently looking at the potential for countywide ferry service, beginning with Clearwater. 
AVA could be the future of transportation
Beginning in November 2020, and for several months into 2021, downtown residents and visitors were treated to AVA, an autonomous vehicle providing safe rides along Bayshore Drive from the Dali Museum to the entrance to the St. Pete Pier. The self-driving vehicle is now in Dunedin. If the pilot project is successful, it could become a full-time fixture in the Tampa Bay region.
Keep up with the latest PSTA news by following the organization on Faceook and Instagram.
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