Transit adds ride-hailing options to PSTA app

Transit, the officially endorsed app of Florida’s Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), unveiled Transit+, a new feature that makes it easier than ever for riders to connect to public transportation.

Sometimes, transit service doesn’t go exactly where riders need it to go — leaving people stuck with slow transfers or a 40-minute walk to the bus. That’s why Transit is unveiling Transit+.

Users can already plan a-to-b trips in the app using different options like transit and Coast Bike Share. Now, they’ll also see trip suggestions for certain trips that include taking an Uber or Lyft part of the way, and connecting with bus service from PSTA. This first-of-its kind feature allows users to plan, book, and pay for a ride from either Uber or Lyft, while getting real-time updates on their PSTA bus connection — all in one app.

“As the very first public transit system in the US to launch a first- and last-mile program with Uber and Lyft, this new Transit+ feature will make riding PSTA’s system so much easier for the more than 300,000 people who have already downloaded the Transit App in Pinellas County,” said Brad Miller, PSTA CEO.

In addition to allowing users to plan trips that merge a car ride with public transportation, Transit is also now including multiple ride-hail operators, such as Uber and Lyft. This helps ensure that users can see all the ways to get around, reducing waiting times and allowing them to compare their options for connecting to transit.

“Our mission at Transit is to make it easy to get from a to b without your own car,” said Jake Sion, Transit COO. “By connecting Uber and Lyft seamlessly with PSTA’s public transit service, we’re promoting ride-hail as a vital first- and last-mile link to reduce congestion, rather than worsen it.”

In the near future, Transit’s multimodal trip planner will also begin suggesting trips that combine transit with other options that users can already find in the app to take short trips, like Coast Bike Share.

Transit+ is in Beta, so it’s rolling out to a limited number of markets, including Pinellas County.