ST. PETERSBURG, FL (October 13, 2017) – The city of St. Petersburg will receive a Best Workplaces for Commuters” (BWC) award from the Tampa Bay Regional Transit Authority (TBARTA) for its efforts to expand and promote smart, sustainable commuting options during a Commuter Choices Day event, Wednesday, October 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Williams Park.
Mayor Rick Kriseman will accept the award on behalf of the city, which has partnered with TBARTA to expand options for commuters, including car-and vanpooling programs, improved facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians, flexible work hours, and telecommuting. Under TBARTA’s Commuter Services employer initiative, the city currently participates in PSTA’s Universal or U-Pass Program for city employees and has implemented secure employee bicycle parking at the Municipal Services Center. The BWC award recognizes employers who offer smart commuting benefits to employees, such as the U-Pass program, vanpool subsidies, and federal tax benefits that support vanpooling and transit.
Wednesday’s event will also showcase local commuting resources and options, such as the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), Pedal Power Promoters LLC, WalkWise, the Florida Bicycle Association, Coast Bike Share, and Tampa Bay Next. Attendees may register to win one of four bicycles given away during the event and the Florida Orchestra will provide lunchtime entertainment.
In addition to TBARTA and the city of St. Petersburg, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 7; St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership; iHeartMedia, Inc.; and the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida, which manages the BWC program, serve as event hosts. More details on Commuter Choices Day are available at www.stpete.org/transportation or www.TBARTA.com.
Also Wednesday, some of the Bay Area’s favorite food trucks roll into Williams Park for the October Mayor’s Lunch Truck It Food Truck Rally, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featured vendors this month include Riddle on the Griddle, CJ’s Traveling Pizzeria, Pho Truck, and Krepelicious. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/gulftobayfta/. Parking for both events is available at the Sundial Garage, 117 Second St. N.