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Commission hears PSTA warning that Amendment 3 could force service cuts to the Jolly Trolley
Summary
PSTA officials told the Dunedin commission the ballot amendment under consideration could affect a large share of the authority's operating budget and threaten services including the Jolly Trolley; the commission approved a restated coastal-route funding agreement with contingency language.
Commissioners pressed Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority representatives about contingency plans in the restated coastal-route funding agreement for the Jolly Trolley amid the pending Amendment 3 ballot measure.
Darden Rice of PSTA told the commission, "That amendment, if it passes, it impacts about 68% of PSTA's operating budget." She said the agency would likely have to cut many services and that the contract includes fiscal non-funding language: "if you don't pay for the service, we don't provide it." The commission and staff discussed possible mitigating steps such as seasonal service increases, city or partner contributions, and prioritizing routes that serve employment centers and federal/state-funded regional routes.
Vice Mayor Walker and other commissioners urged continued outreach by PSTA to explain potential service losses to the public and to explore alternatives if the referendum passes. A resident speaker raised concerns about services for riders with disabilities and "first and last mile" connections that could be vulnerable in any cuts. After staff answered procedural questions and described the contract's pro rata funding structure, the commission approved the funding agreement unanimously by voice vote.
The exchange centered on contingency planning and public communication: PSTA said it is examining route-level scenarios and partner funding options and will return with additional detail on service-feasibility studies and potential seasonal strategies.
