ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Veterans in Pinellas County can now ride the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority for free all year long, thanks to an initiative inspired by University of South Florida students.
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority said the inspiration for its "Veterans Pass" initiative came from a class project from a group of USF students, one of whom is a Navy veteran. The students' mission was to get free rides for disabled veterans, but PSTA board members decided to take it one step further.
The pass will allow military veterans to ride PSTA's fixed routes for no cost to ensure they have accessible and affordable transportation options, the PSTA explained.
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To participate in the Veterans Pass program, veterans must do the following:
Present Appropriate ID: Veterans are required to present specific identification at a PSTA Customer Service Center to receive their Veterans Pass in the form of a Flamingo Fares Card.
Monthly Renewal: Veterans should visit a PSTA Customer Service Center once a month and provide appropriate identification to renew their Veterans Pass.
Accepted forms of identification for obtaining a Veterans Pass include:
- Veterans Identification Card (VIC)
- Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC)
- Military ID
- Florida Driver’s License with Veteran Designation
Bus and trolley operators will not be able to give free rides based on someone showing them a form of ID listed above; veterans must obtain a Veterans Pass from a PSTA Customer Service Center and renew it on a monthly basis to continue enjoying the free transportation service.
"Veterans are heroes. They are some of the most important people in our country,” PSTA CEO Brad Miller said. "We need these folks and they deserve our respect and support after they've served. Pinellas Commissioner and PSTA Board Member Chris Latvala was a big champion of this. He did a great job in working with the students and getting our board to agree to provide free public transportation for our veterans. "
“In Florida, we have the third largest population of veterans in the United States,” Commissioner Chris Latvala added. “Veterans put their lives and careers on the line so we can be safe and enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted every day. I applaud Brad Miller's leadership, PSTA's leadership, and the students that brought forth this idea. I hope our veterans take advantage of this very wonderful program. For their selfless sacrifice, a free bus ride is the least we can do.”
