Thrive
Should St. Pete subsidize transportation options?
St. Petersburg city council members recently discussed establishing a pilot program that would subsidize various transportation options and collect transit data to help inform policy decisions.
Evan Mory, transportation and parking director, highlighted the benefits of a Universal Basic Mobility (UBM) program at a July 11 Housing, Land Use and Transportation Committee meeting. The initiative would help ensure residents, regardless of income level or geographic location, have access to transit options.
Several cities nationwide have adopted UBM programs that typically provide a monthly transit stipend. Councilmember Gina Driscoll requested the discussion and said the financial assistance would cover “pretty much anything except for owning and maintaining a car.”
“I found this very interesting,” Driscoll said. “And with St. Pete being a city that’s known for being innovative and forward-thinking with transportation, I thought this might be a good fit for us.”
Her colleagues on the committee agreed. Mory said eligibility requirements are generally income-based and compared UBM initiatives to the state-run Transportation Disadvantaged Program, which city officials have expanded.
The Transportation Disadvantaged Program provides low-income residents with a bus pass to support employment and education opportunities. A UBM pilot would allow participants to utilize rideshare services and land local micromobility options, like electric scooters.
The city’s transportation department studied UBM initiatives in Los Angeles, Pittsburgh and Portland. Mory stressed that there is no “one size fits all” approach, and local governments must tailor the program to community needs.
“The pilots were all deemed successful,” Mory said. “One of the things we like that we saw in other cities was a ‘Mobility Wallet.’ That could be an app or an actual card that people have the flexibility to spend.”
He said participants typically receive $100 to $150 monthly to use “where they see fit” within program guidelines. Mory explained that data collection from the prepaid debit cards highlights frequently traveled routes and popular transportation services.
That information would help discern gaps in the local transit network. Driscoll said transportation officials could use UBM data to add or move bus stops and strategically place electric bike and scooter corrals.
“There are so many ways that we can tweak the system that we already have to create that connectivity,” she added. “And how do we learn that best? From the people who actually use it.”
Mory said St. Petersburg would partner with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) on a UBM pilot. He also noted that the Center for Urban Transportation Research operates from Tampa and could help conduct surveys and data analysis.
Mory said Driscoll discussed the initiative with the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership. Its car-free committee could help administer the program.
Councilmember Richie Floyd said he was “very intrigued by this idea.” He also suggested eventually expanding a UBM program to include all residents. “Maybe you could buy into it or something,” he said.
Rideshare companies, PSTA and the city’s e-bike and scooter providers require users to download and use a different app. Floyd expressed the benefit of creating a streamlined, all-in-one platform.
“Down the line, it would be cool if you could be like, ‘Alright, I have this pass that lets me use all these things – I pay for it monthly,'” he said. “But I’m glad that we’re even starting this conversation. I’m happy with the way we’ve laid it out right now, and I look forward to what comes back in the future.”
Cheryl Stacks, transportation manager, noted that Portland provides separate UBM programs for low-income and new residents – regardless of their annual earnings. She said the latter helps people acclimate to the area and discover car-free transportation options.
While Driscoll wants the pilot to focus on low-income residents, she also envisions a program dedicated to college students. Councilmember Copley Gerdes asked when transportation officials offer electric bikes and scooters outside the downtown core.
Mory said the program is gradually expanding in all directions. However, Stacks said roadways in north St. Petersburg are less conducive to those transportation modes.
She added that city officials could allow UBM participants to use the provided debit card at local bicycle shops. “I think it really does allow us to have an understanding of different transportation modes that are easily accessible, even in different parts of St. Petersburg,” Stacks said.
“I love this,” Gerdes said. “I just want to make sure that all of the districts have multiple ways to use this.”
The potential pilot program received unanimous support from the committee. Transportation officials will continue formulating a framework and provide an additional presentation at a later date.
Laurie
July 16, 2024at6:57 pm
Does this come put of our taxes??? Please work on the bankrupt bridge project in my neighborhood that is being poorly managed by our City of St. Petersburg Engineering team first. We love to implement programs for the downtown core…..what about the rest the citizens who deal with shoddy roads, decaying pipes and dirt alleys?
Ryan Todd
July 16, 2024at5:21 pm
Recall ALL of these communists on City Council.
Rbruce
July 16, 2024at7:23 am
There is nothing innovative about theft. City of St Pete isn’t subsidizing anything. The taxpayer will be forced to take their earned money and filter it through an overpriced overstaffed Govt to be given to those who did nothing to earn it. All those who support this proposed program can freedom donate. Feel free to give all you have so vagrants can stay in an air conditioned bus all day making buses unattractive to paying customers.
Donna Kostreva
July 16, 2024at4:19 am
Please subsidize my car payment and my auto insurance. You are City Council all need to be removed if you think constant giveaways are appropriate. You have ruined major arteries , brought in busing that rides around empty, scooters litter our roadways ! Out with the lot of you!! I was taught that if you want something go WORK for it. There is NO FREE LUNCH! The taxpayers have had enough!!
JAMES R. GILLESPIE
July 15, 2024at7:16 pm
how many people will benefit, how much will it cost over the years, the money amount should be based on data and not usable for just any non-transportation purpose. Council has a propensity to eagerly spend tax money for any purpose that strikes them as needy. I agree with the above comments and am bothered by a majority of council spending public funds whenever there appears a private need.
John Donovan
July 15, 2024at3:17 pm
Almost giddy they are when finding a new way to spend other people’s money. Los Angeles and Portland near top of the list of bad examples in public policy in USA. Tone deaf? You can make anything look like it’s working, for a while, when you give it away for free. It will end in tears, one way or another.
Mike
July 15, 2024at2:36 pm
Uber is already heavily subsidized by its parent company. If you can’t afford what you need that sounds like a personal problem. Maybe put yourself in a position where you can afford an already subsidized ride?
Why does the public assume the government should pay for their failure to exist?
Mike
July 15, 2024at2:16 pm
I believe the city should abuse it’s monopoly of force, steal huge amounts from productive citizens whom are also forced to invest heavily to generate that cash, put the cash in a huge pile and set it on fire.