A pleasant ride: We tried PSTA’s express bus service to TPA

Along the route, a few other passengers boarded the bus, but there was still ample room. Some were traveling to the airport, while others were heading to downtown Tampa. Late in the afternoon, rush hour traffic was already beginning to build, which would normally stress me out, especially when heading to the airport. But on this trip, I was able to sit back and relax, letting someone else handle the driving. The seats were typical of a city bus, but everything seemed clean, and the air conditioning was functioning well-so much so that I saw one passenger putting on a fleece.

Another great perk: the 300X Airport Express bus is equipped with free Wi-Fi. This is a nice option if you want to get some work done on your way to the airport. However, on this day, I felt like watching a show on Netflix, and the Wi-Fi was more than fast enough to stream.

Traffic coming off the Howard Frankland Bridge was heavy, as it often is in the afternoon, but by 4:00 p.m., we were pulling into TPA right on time. The 45-minute trip was longer than it would have been had I driven my own car, but on the bus, I didn't have to worry about driving; I was able to get work done or watch a movie. Best of all, I didn't have to pay for an expensive Uber or a week of parking at the airport. I felt relaxed and stress-free, which is exactly how I like to begin any trip.