TRANSIT ADVOCACY GUIDE

Not sure where to start and want to get involved? The information below is a starting point to help orient you to the key organizations, meetings, and groups involved in transit activities in Pinellas County.

Organizations

It’s important to understand the responsibilities of different levels of government and transportation related organizations. Please find an outline of the responsibilities of the Pinellas County Government, Forward Pinellas, PSTA, and the city governments below, and visit their respective websites for more information.

Pinellas County funds projects through its annual budget and capital improvement program and administers a local sales tax (“Penny for Pinellas”) partially dedicated to transportation projects.

  • Forward Pinellas is the countywide planning agency and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Forward Pinellas does not build roads or operate transit; instead it plans and prioritizes them by:

    • Developing the countywide land use plan and long‐range transportation plan (LRTP)

    • Setting project priorities and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) that determine which federal and state funds will be allocated

    Forward Pinellas is governed by a 19-member board of elected officials. These officials represent municipal governments, the Board of County Commissioners and the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. Each individual agency is responsible for selecting its membership on the Board. You can find out the current board members and how to contact them by visiting the Forward Pinellas website. (https://forwardpinellas.org/forward-pinellas-board/)

  • The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) is the elected body that oversees your Pinellas County Government. Current commissioners and contact details can be found at the Pinellas County website. (https://pinellas.gov/pinellas-county-board-of-county-commissioners/)

  • Pinellas County’s Public Works Department maintains the county’s transportation infrastructure, primarily on county-designated roads and in unincorporated areas, including:

    • Sidewalks

    • Multi-use trails including the Pinellas Trail

    • Traffic signals

    • Signage

    • Roadways

    • Bridges

  • Pinellas County Transportation Authority (PSTA) is a government agency that provides public transportation. The authority manages a fixed-route bus system that encompasses over 40 bus routes - including two express routes to Tampa; the Central Avenue Trolley; the Suncoast Beach Trolley; SPARK high-frequency bus service on 34th Street South; and the bus rapid transit service, the SunRunner. They also manage waterborne transportation options including the Clearwater Ferry and soon the Cross-Bay Ferry.

    PSTA is governed by a 15-member board of citizen representatives and elected officials representing municipal governments and the Board of County Commissioners. Find the current board members and contact information on the PSTA website. (https://www.psta.net/about-psta/board-of-directors/)

Meetings

Public Meetings: All of the listed meetings are open to the public and provide an opportunity for public comment. Official schedules and agendas for each body can be found on the respective agency or city websites.

  • Meets twice monthly on the first Tuesday at 9:30 AM and the third Tuesday at 2:00 PM with a reconvened Public Hearing session at 6:00 PM. Meetings are held in the Palm Room at the Pinellas County Communications Building (333 Chestnut St., Clearwater) Agendas, minutes and livestream info are on the Pinellas County Commission meetings page pinellas.govpinellas.gov.

  • Meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 1:00 PM. These meetings address countywide transportation planning and include a public comment period at the beginning. Agendas are posted on the Forward Pinellas website (see the “Attend a Meeting” and “Agendas” sections) Meetings are live-streamed but live public comment requires in-person attendance. forwardpinellas.org.

  • Meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 9:00 AM in the Board Room at PSTA Headquarters (3201 Scherer Dr, St. Petersburg). Agendas, minutes and live streams are available on PSTA’s website under “Board Meetings and Public Hearings” psta.net.

City Governments and Meetings Government Meetings:

Local city governments maintain the street networks and pedestrian facilities within city limits and enact local traffic regulations. Each municipality’s public works department repairs city streets, curbs, traffic signs and sidewalks on city rights-of-way. Cities also adopt local bike/pedestrian plans, manage on-street parking, and regulate emerging transportation modes (like e-scooters) under state law.

Each local municipality is governed by their mayor and city council members. You can find your current mayor and city council members by looking at your local governments website. 

Some local governments also have citizen advisory committees (such as a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee) to oversee that city’s initiatives related to a specific topic. These committees tend to meet on a monthly basis, and information about those meetings can be found by looking at your local governments website.

All of the listed meetings are open to the public and provide an opportunity for public comment. Official schedules and agendas for each body can be found on the respective agency or city website.

    • City Council – Holds regular meetings twice each month on the first and third Thursday in Council Chambers at City Hall (175 5th St N, St. Petersburg), with occasional additional sessions. Sessions may begin in the morning or afternoon depending on the schedule. Agendas and schedules are available on the City’s Council Agendas page and meeting calendar stpete.org.

    • Housing, Land Use & Transportation (HLUT) Committee – Meets monthly at City Hall (175 5th St N, Council Chambers), dates vary. See the City’s “Boards & Committees” page for agendas. stpete.org.

    • City Council – Meets twice a month, usually on the first and third Thursday at 6:00 PM in the Clearwater Main Library City Council Chambers (100 N. Osceola Ave, Clearwater. Agendas and meeting livestream/archived videos are available on the City of Clearwater’s website (see the Council meeting page) myclearwater.com.

    • City Commission – Meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM at Largo City Hall (201 Highland Ave N, Largo). Agendas, minutes and livestream links are on the City of Largo’s website (“Watch Meetings” page) largo.com.

    • City Council – Meets on the second and fourth Thursday at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at Pinellas Park City Hall (5141 78th Ave N, Pinellas Park). Agendas and minutes are posted on the city’s website (via its Legistar agenda portal) pinellas-park.com.

Get Involved

A great way to support change in your community is to get involved with local organizations that are already doing the work. Find out more about some local organizations focused on transportation connectivity below:

  • Non-profit working to help advance access to viable transportation options that are reliable and safe in Pinellas County through education, advocacy, and grant giving. https://connectpinellas.org/

  • Local group advocating for safe streets that promote sustainable mobility and empower our community, ensuring that everyone can enjoy safe and accessible routes for walking and bicycle use.  https://activatestpete.org/

  • A non-profit, social and recreational club that since 1968 has promoted safe and satisfying bicycling opportunities to club members and the general public through planned activities and events. https://www.stpetecycling.com/

  • A grassroots volunteer organization that wants to see interstate 175 replaced with a street-grade Boulevard. Removing 175 and replacing it with the original street grid being reconnected will provide folks with more options to get around.  https://reimagine175.com/

  • A non-profit organization that provides people of all ages and backgrounds with assistance and instructions on how to repair and maintain bicycles. We are community-centered and volunteer-run. Their vision is to make cycling easy, fun and safe in St. Pete. https://stpetebikecoop.wordpress.com/

  • A 501c3 non-profit advocacy group whose purpose is to share fun experiences, advocacy for, history of and information about the Pinellas Trail located in Pinellas County Florida. https://friendsofthepinellastrail.org/

  • A Nonprofit club that encourages participation in group cycling and by promoting education, safety, and public awareness of the sport of road cycling through planned rides and related cycling activities. https://suncoastcycling.org/ 

  • A collaboration of businesses and organizations across Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties that advocates for a wider array of transportation choices in the Tampa Bay region. https://gotbmo.com/

  • Our mission is to make Florida better for people who want to bicycle and for people who need to bicycle. https://floridabicycle.org/

  • An all-volunteer grassroots organization created in 2015 by a group of residents who met at local transportation meetings and discovered a shared desire to promote safe, connected routes for people walking and riding bikes throughout the City. https://walkbiketampa.org/

  • The Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA) is a passionate coalition of volunteers dedicated to empowering Neighborhood and Civic Associations across St. Petersburg, FL. By fostering collaboration, providing essential resources, and amplifying community voices, we help neighborhoods thrive and create a stronger, more connected city. https://stpetecona.org

  • The Forward Pinellas BPAC serves as an advisory committee to the Forward Pinellas Board and provides input and direction on bicycle and pedestrian related issues, plans and policies. Appointed members of the BPAC include technical representatives from various governmental agencies, law enforcement personnel and citizens. The BPAC usually meets on the third Monday of every month, at 8:30 AM in Downtown Clearwater. https://forwardpinellas.org/advisory-committees/bicycle-pedestrian-advisory-committee/

  • The BPAC was formed as a part of creating and implementing the 2003 CityTrails program. BPAC members have been actively involved in discussions that impact the City’s built environment and transportation system. BPAC members are made up of engaged citizens, business owners, and organizational partners that lead educational programs and events based on walking and bicycling, supporting many City goals and initiatives including Complete Streets. Meetings are typically held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 AM in City Hall. https://www.stpete.org/government/boards___committees/bicycle_pedestrian_advisory_committee.php

  • The mission of the Complete Streets Committee is to ensure that new street operations are safe and convenient for all users of the roadway. This includes people who are walking, riding bicycles, motorists, people with disabilities, users and operators of public transit, seniors, children, and movers of commercial goods. Meetings are typically held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 AM in City Hall. https://www.stpete.org/government/boards___committees/complete_streets_committee.php