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Pasco County Public Transportation

Pasco to resume collecting fares on buses

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(File)

Pasco County Public Transportation will begin collecting fares on buses again, effective Oct. 1, according to a Pasco County news release.

The change comes after the county provided fare-free ridership for five months, to support customers facing a hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Riders will be required to board through the front door and exit through the rear doors, to minimize crowding at the fare box. Riders are strongly encouraged to wear a mask, practice social distancing guidelines, and be mindful of the health and wellness of customers and transportation department staff, the release adds.

Learn more about PCPT fixed route fares and bus passes by visiting bit.ly/faresandpasses. Find paratransit fares at bit.ly/paratransitfares.

To learn more about Pasco County Public Transportation, including bus routes, transportation news and schedules, visit the PCPT website at RidePCPT.com.

Published September 30, 2020

Pasco considered for new cross-county bus routes

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Pasco County commuters may soon have easier access into neighboring counties, as two new bus routes are being explored along the Interstate 75 and Interstate 275 corridors.

Bus stops along State Road 56 and State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel would allow riders to catch buses traveling to Tampa and Saint Petersburg.

The bus rapid transit project would help travelers move around, while reducing congestion on the highway.

The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority (TBARTA) has been working on the idea in conjunction with the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) of Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

The regional transit authority began a study in 2019 to evaluate the 41-mile bus route.

If implemented, those in Pasco could travel south into Tampa, stopping near the University of South Florida and in downtown Tampa. Bus riders would have the option to continue riding southwest, ending up in downtown St. Petersburg.

The highway also may be widened to accommodate a designated lane for buses as well.

The initiative has transitioned into the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study, with the support of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

Trying to find a way to improve transit and ease congestion has been an issue for decades.

Providing more public bus services across Tampa Bay could help reduce the estimated 50% increase in motorists expected over the next two decades, according to TBARTA.

Other cities across the nation —  including Los Angeles, Cleveland, Minneapolis and Las Vegas — already have bus rapid transit.

Routes can be selected based on where there is a high volume of businesses, attractions and daily needs.

Kurt Scheible is the director of Pasco County Public Transportation and sits on TBARTA’s Transit Management Committee.

He pushed for two bus stops when one was originally being considered for Pasco. This resulted in both State Road 56 and State Road 54 being selected, near their intersections with Interstate 75.

“(State Road) 56 is not really a good starting point for Pasco County, (State Road) 54 is,” Scheible said. “(State Road) 54 is where the customers are actually going to be. That’s where the people are and that’s where they’re going to go.”

Currently, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) Authority offers bus rides from Wesley Chapel into Tampa.

While the exact locations of the proposed stops haven’t been pinpointed yet, they will be two new alternatives to the HART bus service.

With the support of FDOT, the project could cost up to $455 million.

Studies are scheduled for completion in 2021, but a construction timetable hasn’t been determined yet.

Published January 29, 2020

Pasco announces bus Route 41 service changes

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Pasco County Public Transportation has changed services on Route 41 in Land O’ Lakes.

The changes, which took effect on Jan. 6, are based on ridership, according to a news release.

Here are the changes, in a nutshell:

  • An hourly service is being added to the Central Boulevard/Pasco Utilities complex.
  • Service is ending along Collier Parkway and along the State Road 54 corridor to Collier Parkway.
  • Saturday service has been eliminated for this route.

The news release said the Route 41 changes are being implemented relating to Collier Parkway and State Road 54 because of a lack of ridership.

Those wishing to ride the bus to businesses on Collier Parkway can connect to the Route 54 bus.

Route 41 begins at the U.S. 41 intersection with Central Boulevard. It continues south to multiple stops, including where U.S. 41 meets Gator Lane, State Road 54 and the apex where U.S. 41 and North Dale Mabry Highway branch off.

Other stops are along U.S. 41, but the route previously included a jog onto State Road 54, over to Collier Parkway, where riders could pick up the bus near the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

The changes to Route 41 were approved by the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization board on Sept. 12. The recommendation to drop the portion of the route including State 54 and Collier Parkway was based on research by public transportation staff and public feedback.

For more information about Route 41, visit bit.ly/Route41.

For more information about PCPT services, visit RidePCPT.com.

Published January 08, 2020

Land O’ Lakes route to lose bus stop, weekend service

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Bus Route 41, in Land O’ Lakes, no longer will be making a stop on Collier Parkway — and also will discontinue operating on Saturdays.

Those changes were approved by the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) board on Sept. 12.

Pasco County Public Transportation will remove the bus stop on Collier Parkway from Route 41, which runs in Land O’ Lakes. The entire route, which mainly runs along U.S. 41, also will exclude Saturdays from its service.(Courtesy of Pasco County Public Transportation)

The changes were prompted by a recommendation from Pasco County Public Transportation based on its research and public feedback.

“We received some concerns from some of our riders on Route 41,” Kurt Scheible  director of public transportation for the county told the MPO board.

“Unfortunately, it’s not one of our better routes.”

The route begins at the U.S. 41 intersection with Central Boulevard. It continues south to multiple stops, including where U.S. 41 meets Gator Lane, State Road 54 and the apex where U.S. 41 and North Dale Mabry Highway branch off.

Although other stops are along U.S. 41, the route also included a jog onto State Road 54, over to Collier Parkway, where riders could pick up the bus near the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

However, Scheible said, very few patrons took advantage of the stop and those riding the bus considered the stop to be an inconvenience because it delayed them in getting to their destinations.

A study done by the transportation department in June revealed a low volume of riders on Route 41, Scheible said.

There were only 250 trips made on weekdays and 20 on Saturdays during the month, he noted.

During 2018, of all of the county’s 825,767 bus trips, Route 41 only had slightly over 1,900 – making it the lowest performing route in the county’s transportation system, he said.

The study also showed that barely any riders used the service on Saturdays, he added.

The director also noted that those using the Collier Parkway stop were primarily using it to get to shops along State Road 54.

Because of the findings, the bus service decided to drop the Collier Parkway stop and to end Saturday services on the route.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, who sits on the MPO board expressed agreement.

“Obviously we wanted to make sure that everybody had access to our public facilities, including the library and the rec center,” he said. “But if nobody’s taking part in it, [it is] obviously understandable that we need to reevaluate that.”

The MPO board’s approval was the final action needed to push the initiative forward.

Scheible also mentioned future plans to extend Route 41 further north up to State Road 52, once that corridor has widened.

While services are being reduced in one part of the county, the MPO board took another action that may have the effect of boosting ridership countywide.

The board approved free bus transportation for veterans, active military and county employees who present proper identification.

The Pasco County Commission made the change official during its Sept. 18 meeting.

“The whole idea is: walk on [with a] picture ID, they hit the button and they’re riding for free wherever they need to go to,” Scheible said during the MPO meeting.

The changes to Route 41 and the free bus rides will take effect in October, the transportation director said.

Published October 2, 2019

Broadening the battle against human trafficking

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Pasco County Public Transportation employees are learning how to identify human trafficking victims in an effort to expand the battle on human trafficking.

Pasco County Public Transportation is partnering with the Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking and the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking to train all bus drivers on how to properly identify and report potential cases of human trafficking, which is essentially modern slavery, according to a Pasco County news release.

The PCPT bus drivers, like Stormy Byrd, will receive training on how to identify possible cases of human trafficking. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

“It’s important for all transit employees to be aware of their frontline support role in combating human trafficking,” PCPT Director Kurt Scheible said, in the release.  “Our partnership with the Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking and USIAHT will provide PCPT employees with critical training to identify vulnerable victims and help prevent this in our community.”

Bus operators and customer service agents will be trained on how to identify and report suspicious behavior.

Pasco County bus drivers will receive cards outlining trafficking indicators, protocols to follow if they suspect human trafficking, and the National Human Trafficking Hotline number: (888) 373-7888.

Each bus will display an informational placard and have victim resource cards available for riders to take if they need help. This campaign is expected to reach over 60,000 people every month.

“Eradicating human trafficking is not something any one organization can do alone,” said Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking Chair Liana Dean.  “This is a problem that’s going to take all of us to solve, which is why it’s so important that collaborations like this exist.”

Human trafficking is a growing problem worldwide, with an estimated 40 million men, women and children trapped in modern slavery, according to the International Labor Organization.  Florida consistently ranks third nationally in the number of calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

To learn more about Pasco County Public Transportation, including bus routes, transportation news and schedules, visit the PCPT website at RidePCPT.com. To learn more about the Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking, visit bit.ly/PascoHTCommission.

Published June 05, 2019

HART rolling out regional bus service

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The debate over building and operating a tri-county bus rapid transit system on Interstate 275 won’t be settled for months.

But, on July 1, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, known as HART, will launch a new limited express bus service down I-275 from Wesley Chapel to Tampa.

Connections also can be made to existing routes operated by Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority with services to Largo, Clearwater and St. Petersburg.

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit, HART, will launch a new bus route between Wesley Chapel and Tampa. A HART bus is shown here at Marion Transit Center in Tampa.
(Courtesy of HART)

The 275LX route will be a first for regional transit in the Tampa Bay area. It also will be a test of the regional potential for bus transit.

Funding for the new route is from about $1.2 million in grants from the Florida Department of Transportation. Funds are expected to cover operating expenses for 18 months.

“We’re very excited about this service,” said Steve Feigenbaum, HART’s director of service development. “We have very high hopes for it.”

Route 275LX largely will follow Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and Interstate 275.

Feigenbaum said this service is separate from a proposed “catalyst” project for a bus rapid transit system that would travel on dedicated lanes built on the shoulders of I-275.

The Florida Department of Transportation funded a study that prioritized a 41-mile bus rapid transit system from Wesley Chapel to St. Petersburg. Initial construction estimates were nearly $455 million.

Supporters hope that bus rapid transit can jumpstart a long-range transit vision for the area. Opponents say the project is too limited, too expensive, and won’t, by itself, address traffic gridlock.

A decision on bus rapid transit is expected in the coming months.

Meanwhile, major stops on HART’s limited express service will include Tampa International Airport, the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, the University Area Transit Center, the Westshore business district, and the Marion Street Transit Center in downtown Tampa.

According to a HART news release, residents and businesses, especially in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, asked for the bus route. It is considered a boon for employees commuting to and from work across county lines, and for area residents who want to visit dining, shopping or entertainment destinations in Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

HART estimates about 123,000 residents live within the service area.

Transportation from Pasco to the veteran’s hospital in Hillsborough is an especially important benefit to the area, said Kurt Scheible, director of Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT).

“I get requests all the time on how can we get people down to the veteran’s hospital,” Scheible said. “I think this is a great step forward.”

The July 1 start is a soft opening, with an official ribbon cutting at Tampa International Airport scheduled for July 13.

HART buses will pick up passengers at the Route 54 bus stop operated by PCPT. The bus stop is located at the Wiregrass Park-n-Ride, at 28222 Willet Way, near Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.

The Wiregrass bus stop is the “backbone” of Pasco’s transit system, with the kind of ridership that makes it a perfect fit for HART’s new route, said Scheible.

HART’s operating hours will be seven days a week, generally from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with buses leaving hourly. Bus fares will be $2 each way. Free WiFi is available on the bus ride.

PCPT’s Route 54 operates only six days a week, with no buses running on Sundays. Weekday hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., for east/west service from Universal Plaza in New Port Richey to Zephyrhills.

Major stops are at Medical Center of Trinity, The Shops at Wiregrass and Tampa Premium Outlets.

However, the Wiregrass Park-n-Ride is open seven days a week for residents taking a ride on HART’s buses.

New services are coming in the future, including the expansion of Flamingo Fares, a mobile application for regional bus passes, Feigenbaum said.

It is available from HART and the PSTA. In the next months, Pasco and Manatee County’s transit systems also will provide the mobile app and regional bus passes.

“It will be seamless, built into all the systems,” said Feigenbaum.

Published June 20, 2018

New housing project unveiled in Dade City

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Local residents and community leaders gathered for a May 12 grand opening ceremony at Hilltop Landings apartments in Dade City, following 18 months of construction.

The $15 million project serves as a replacement for Dade Oaks, a 38-year-old apartment complex that was built at the bottom of a drainage basin, forcing residents to regularly deal with flooding.

Those residents get first dibs on Hilltop Landings, located about a mile away from Dade Oaks, at 15641 14th St.

Future residents and community leaders gather for the ribbon cutting of Hilltop Landings. (Photos courtesy of J.P. Hervis)
Future residents and community leaders gather for the ribbon cutting of Hilltop Landings.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photos)

Designed and constructed by Gorman & Company Inc., the new complex consists of 69 modern, energy-efficient units, serving the needs of low-income families in Pasco County.

Sitting on 13 acres, the development includes a playground, community center and community gardens, all of which are well-lit and monitored with security cameras.

Pasco County pledged $2 million for the project, with the remaining funds coming from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, First Housing, Boston Capital and RBC Capital Markets.

“It’s been a long struggle. It does my heart really well to see what we’ve accomplished here,” Pasco County Housing Authority Chairman David Lambert said at the ceremony. “It’s a far cry from three years ago when we came out and we started working on this complex. It took a lot of people…and we set out on a mission to replace or rehab all of our housing stock.”

Lambert was particularly thankful for HUD’s involvement in helping to facilitate the new development, along with its overall partnership with the housing authority.

Hilltop Landings features 69 modern, energy-efficient units. The project had a $15 million price tag.
Hilltop Landings features 69 modern, energy-efficient units. The project had a $15 million price tag. (Courtesy of J.P. Hervis)

 

“They provide a lot of funding…for some of our most underserved areas,” Lambert said. “We try to transition our folks out of public housing. Home ownership is one of the great American dreams, and HUD is a great provider and a great beacon for us.”

Ellis Henry, director of the state HUD office in Jacksonville, referred to the Hilltop Landings apartments as a “unique” project.

“This is something that’s not going to happen very much with just HUD and the federal funds,” Henry said. “This is a collaboration of many stakeholders, many funding sources, and the state and other entities that provide resources, as well as money to make this happen. That’s the wave of the future, and we’re happy to be a part of it.”

Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader said Hilltop Landings “is just one piece of the puzzle” in continuing to grow the county, noting its ability to provide affordable housing to Dade Oaks residents, as well as other low-income families.

“Dade Oaks was in an area that had some challenging issues with flooding and other issues that makes this such an attractive opportunity and an attractive alternative to where (Dade Oaks residents) once were,” Schrader said. “We’re proud to be able to provide some SHP (Supportive Housing Program) money with the HUD money to construct this fine facility.”

A children’s playground is one of the key amenities to Hilltop Landings. There’s also community gardens and a community center.
A children’s playground is one of the key amenities to Hilltop Landings. There’s also community gardens and a community center.

Schrader was also quick to mention the increases in the county’s housing prices, saying, “we still need to be cognizant that housing prices are rising, and (it) is becoming more and more of a challenge for the workforce to have a place they can call home.”

Patricia Gray, a resident of Dade Oaks, will soon be moving into Hilltop Landings, and was delighted the new housing is finally ready.

“Me and all the other residents, we never thought this was going to be here,” she said, “but now we have it, and we don’t have to worry about the flooding. We’re going to be safer.”

Once all residents are moved out of Dade Oaks, those buildings will be demolished and the area will be used for stormwater retention.

Pasco County Public Transportation plans to include Hilltop Landings on its bus route.

Hilltop Landings sits on 13 acres. It has a number of amenities, including on-site management, on-site social services, washers and dryers, a playground, a community center, a community garden, and security cameras and lighting. It has one- to four-bedroom apartments and duplexes.

Published May 18, 2016

Cold snap expected tonight, shelters open

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With a cold front moving through the area bringing frigid temperatures with it, Pasco County has opened shelters in Port Richey and Hudson for those who might not be able to stay out of the cold otherwise.

The shelters are located at Impact Family Church, at 8020 Washington St., in Port Richey, as well as Holy Ground Shelter, 8835 Denton Ave., in Hudson. Both shelters open at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The cold temperatures and low wind chill values are dangerous to anyone who is outside for a long period of time, according to county officials. Children, the elderly and pets are especially vulnerable to the cold, and extra care should be taken to protect them.

For additional shelter information, contact the United Way at 211.

Pasco County Public Transportation provides service to cold weather shelters free of charge during normal operating hours. Riders simply need to tell drivers when boarding they are en route to a cold weather shelter.

 

Pasco starts replacing bus benches

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Pasco County Public Transportation has started the process of notifying bus riders that bus benches at stops throughout unincorporated Pasco County are being removed and replaced.

Metropolitan Systems Inc. will do the work, removing all the old benches by Nov. 30, according to a release. In their place, new benches will be installed that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. They also are expected to improve safety, security and accessibility for PCPT riders, officials said.

Bus shelters will not be impacted during this transition, and riders can call PCPT to determine where the closest shelter is to them.

“There may be some inconvenience from some of our riders,” said PCPT director Mike Carroll, in a release. “The new benches will be more accessible and convenient for those with disabilities. Unfortunately, in some cases, benches will have to be removed where the benches cannot comply with federal regulations.”

Once the benches are removed, it will take up to 90 days for the company to get necessary permits, and to start work. However, new benches should be in place by the end of spring.

For more information, visit RidePCPT.com, or call (813) 235-6073.

Pasco government offices closed Nov. 11

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Many Pasco County government offices will be closed Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day.

All government offices will reopen Nov. 12.

The Pasco County Parks and Recreation Centers will be closed that day, but parks and beaches will remain open to the public from dawn until dusk.

Pasco County Animal Services’ administrative office, adoption center, shelter and field services will be closed that Tuesday,  but an animal control officer will be available for emergencies only.

All offices resume regular business hours Nov. 12, with the adoption center open from noon to 6:30 p.m., and everything else from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Buses will not run through Pasco County Public Transportation on Nov. 11, however, normal routes will resume Nov. 12.

The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility and the East Pasco Transfer Station will close Nov. 11 to the public. However, they will remain open to licensed commercial haulers. Both will reopen to the public on Nov. 12.

For details on closings, visit PascoCountyFl.net.