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PSTA board approves balanced FY2026 budget; agency to launch ‘Spark’ premium bus and expand ferries
Summary
Forward Pinellas staff reported that the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority adopted a balanced FY2026 budget that lowers the property tax rate and funds route redesigns, a new premium bus line called Spark, and expanded waterborne service including a Dunedin extension.
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority board approved a balanced fiscal year 2026 budget that lowers the agency’s property tax rate and supports several new services and network changes, agency staff told the Ford Pinellas board on Oct. 8.
PSTA staff reported the FY2026 property tax rate is set at 0.73 mills, down from 0.7342 mills in 2025 and 0.75 mills in 2024 — the lowest rate used to fund public transportation services in Pinellas County in 15 years, staff said. The FY2026 budget also funds a system redesign labeled the “connected community bus network,” which the agency said will take effect Oct. 26 and is intended to reorganize routes and schedules to be clearer and more connected while remaining cost neutral.
The agency also plans to debut a premium, higher-frequency bus service called Spark connecting South Pinellas, Eckerd College, the Skyway Marina District in St. Petersburg, downtown St. Pete and St. Pete Beach. Spark’s inaugural service will be celebrated with an Oct. 27 event at Eckerd College followed by a launch reception at the Allstate Center.
PSTA said it will expand the Clearwater Ferry to the city of Dunedin in the coming weeks and is working toward launching a new Tampa Bay ferry service as early as next year.
The report was informational to the Ford Pinellas board; no formal Ford Pinellas action was required or taken on the PSTA budget itself. Mayor Freaney noted a related ribbon-cutting for restored Clearwater ferry operations was scheduled for Oct. 9 at Dunedin Marina.
Why it matters: the budget reduction and service investments affect fare service patterns, capital planning and operating priorities for transit riders and municipalities across Pinellas County. The connected community redesign and new premium service are intended to improve service clarity and frequency without increasing the agency’s tax rate, staff said.
Speakers on the item included a PSTA representative who presented the budget summary and Mayor Freaney, who added a ribbon-cutting announcement. Ford Pinellas staff said the county’s technical and citizen advisory committees had recommended earlier items where noted.
