Pasco Suspending Bus Service Ahead Of Storm

-NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Pasco County residents who use bus service to get around will want to consider alternatives Monday afternoon.

Pasco County Public Transportation has announced the suspension of bus service on all routes in the western portion of the county at 2 p.m. Monday ahead of Tropical Storm Colin’s arrival.

The following bus routes will be suspended, according to an email from the county, “14, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25 and the West Side Paratransit Service. PCPT will also be suspending bus service along route 54, which is the cross county connector.”

It is unclear how long service will be suspended. Residents with questions may call Pasco County Customer Service at 727-847-2411.

As of Monday afternoon, the county said all eastern routes will run normal schedules.

The service suspension was announced shortly after Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency across several Florida counties, including Hillsborough.

See Also:

• Tropical Storm Colin Edges Closer To Florida

As of Monday at 11 a.m., forecasters at the National Hurricane Center placed the storm about 285 miles west-southwest of Tampa. The storm is anticipated to arrive in the Big Bend area in the afternoon or evening hours Monday.

Tropical storm warnings have been issued from Indian Pass to Englewood. The storm’s maximum sustained winds were near 50 mph Monday morning with little change in strength expected during the day Monday.

While the Tampa Bay area is expected to escape a direct hit from the storm, forecasters are bracing for heavy rains, increased tornado risk and the potential of high tides 1 to 3 feet above normal in the region. The entire Tampa Bay area has also been placed under a flood watch until 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Photo from the Pasco County Public Transportation Facebook page