PSTA Closes on Land for New Transit Center

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), FL, and the City of Clearwater are celebrating a milestone following more than a decade of work to transform transportation in northern Pinellas County.

The partners have officially closed on two acres of land swapped by the City to PSTA for a new, Multimodal Transit Center. Located at the corner of Court Street and Myrtle Avenue, the LEED-certified, state-of-the-art facility will be in the heart of downtown, adjacent to the Pinellas Trail, the new City Hall, and other city administration buildings.

“The new Clearwater Transit Center isn’t just a hub for transportation; it’s a gateway to transformation,” said Brad Miller, PSTA chief executive officer. “It opens doors to new destinations, fosters connections between people and places, and propels communities forward on the tracks of innovation and growth.”

The new Clearwater Transit Center will replace a nearby facility built in the 1980s that is outdated and overcapacity. The existing center in Downtown Clearwater was built before the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the roof clearance prevents buses purchased after 2017 from entering the terminal. However, the new center will be twice the size and will be able to accommodate modern electric buses along with 2,300+ riders daily.

“This investment will create and support access to thousands of jobs,” added Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector. “The Clearwater Transit Center will connect dreams, opportunities, and communities, ushering in a future where every journey is a pathway to possibility.”

The new transit center will include connections to multi-modal services throughout Pinellas County, including Uber, Lyft, and PSTA access; covered bike racks and amenities; retail space and a coffee shop; public art and wayfinding; EV charging infrastructure; solar panels; real-time arrival/departure information; and future connection to passenger rail.

PSTA was awarded $20 million in federal grants by USDOT as part of the Rebuilding America Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program. The remainder of the project will be funded by contributions from the City of Clearwater, FDOT, Forward Pinellas, and PSTA. Construction is set to begin next year, with the goal of opening in 2026.