DRAFT

Transportation Disadvantaged PopulationThe Pinellas County Planning Department estimates Pinellas County’s transportation disadvantagedeligible population, as defined in Chapter 427 of the Florida Statutes. According to the 2009-2012 PinellasCounty Transportation Disadvantaged Service Plan, the total number of persons estimated to betransportation disadvantaged in Pinellas County in 2008 was 108,719. Transportation Disadvantaged isdefined as low-income (at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level) persons with no access to anautomobile. Table 3-5 provides the projected TD population for 2009 through 2014.YearTable 3-52009-2014 Transportation Disadvantaged Population SummaryTotal Transportation DisadvantagedPopulation16 to 64 Years(Non-Elderly)Age Group65+ Years(Elderly)2009 109,167 65,787 43,3802010 109,615 66,057 43,5582011 109,956 66,262 43,6942012 110,297 66,468 43,8292013 110,638 66,673 43,9652014 110,980 66,879 44,100Source: 2008-2012 Pinellas County Transportation Disadvantaged Service Plan.TourismTourism is one of the largest employment sectors in the county. The current build-out condition of much ofPinellas County has pushed tourism-related jobs to areas along the coast, near existing tourist areas, andalong major arterial routes. In 2008, Pinellas County had 42,229 employees working in hotels and otherlodging, eating/drinking establishments, and amusement and recreation services. Table 3-6 presents thenumber of hotel rooms, motel rooms, and food service establishments in Pinellas County in 2008, and itsrelative ranking for each among the 67 counties in Florida. The results in Table 3-6 indicate that PinellasCounty’s tourism industry is strong when compared to the rest of Florida, a state already known for its hightourist population.Table 3-62008 Pinellas County Tourist Facilities SummaryCategory Total Number of Units Rank in Florida CountiesHotel Room 8,664 8thMotel Room 10,769 3rdFood Service Establishment 200,717* 6thSource: Florida Statistical Abstract 2009; Bureau of Economic and Business Research, University of Florida.*Seating capacityAccording to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, 4,991,410 people visitedPinellas County in 2009. Figure 3-2 shows the annual tourist population visiting Pinellas County from 1990Tindale-Oliver & Associates, Inc.Pinellas Suncoast Transit AuthoritySeptember 2010 3-13 Transit Development Plan