In 1978, some 37 years ago, an unexpected event occurred which threatened to cause major problems within the rapidly developing beach community. Regular bus service, rendered into Treasure Island for years by a private bus company, was abruptly cancelled. This unexpected development threatened to create major transportation problems for the many motel, hotel and restaurant employees who had relied on the bus for shopping, banking and many related activities, not to mention those riders who depended on connecting with buses in St. Petersburg, Clearwater and other Pinellas County cities.
First Bank of Treasure Island, which had made several generous donations to community projects, formed a group of community leaders in an attempt to remedy the situation.
Thanks to the interest shown by these citizens, the Treasure Island Transit Authority was formed, and thanks to contributions from the City, island businesses and the Treasure Islettes, a used 17-passenger Winnebago bus was purchased, approved bythe Public Service Commission, and put into daily service, connecting with regular service at several points. Some detractors shouted, “No one will ride that thing!” Others dubbed it “The Toonerville Trolley of Treasure Island.” They were proved wrong, however. Ridership was strong and another Dune Buggy was purchased and placed in service with C.T.I. assistance. After five years of operation, at a cost of about $20,000 per year, regular bus service was restored, and the little buses retired, having transported roughly 1,000 riders per month during its time on the Treasure Island scene. The author of this column, at the time a VP at First Bank, has the unique distinction of having served as the one… and only… president of the Treasure Island Transit Authority.