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Bus agencies in Pinellas, Hillsborough stop service as Eta threatens high winds

HART and PSTA buses will be off the road by noon as Hurricane Eta threatens winds as high as 70 mph.
 
A Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority bus is stopped near PSTA headquarters in St. Petersburg to pick up passengers, Thursday, January 9, 2020. PSTA and the Hillsborough Regional Transit Authority are both suspending service at noon Wednesday in preparation of high winds and dangerous weather from Hurricane Eta.
A Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority bus is stopped near PSTA headquarters in St. Petersburg to pick up passengers, Thursday, January 9, 2020. PSTA and the Hillsborough Regional Transit Authority are both suspending service at noon Wednesday in preparation of high winds and dangerous weather from Hurricane Eta. [ SCOTT KEELER | TAMPA BAY TIMES ]
Published Nov. 11, 2020|Updated Nov. 11, 2020

Bus service in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties will stop at noon as Hurricane Eta moves closer to Tampa Bay, bringing high winds and heavy rains.

The transit authorities for both counties announced this morning that they would suspend service on all routes at noon.

The decision to stop transit service was made “for the safety of our customers, employees and to safeguard equipment," officials from the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit authority said in a statement. The agency is preparing for sustained winds projected to be as high as 70 mph.

The suspension also includes the TECO streetcar in downtown Tampa and the agency’s driverless shuttle on Marion Street.

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority will resume service “as soon as it is deemed safe after the storm passes,” officials said in a statement. All bus terminals, including Park Street, Grand Central Station and Pinellas Park, will be closed as well.

HART officials said Wednesday evening that they planned to start service again at noon Thursday.

Both agencies are prepared to work with county emergency management officials to provide free bus transportation to designated shelters if a hurricane evacuation is announced.

Residents can view a list of shelters and routes on the Pinellas County website.

Customers are encouraged to follow both agency’s social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter for further updates.

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