St. Augustine severs ties with Greyhound lines to combat homelessness

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — St. Augustine is severing ties with the bus company Greyhound Lines in an effort to get a handle on the homeless population in the city.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

The homeless have a visible presence on the streets of St. Augustine.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

As of Tuesday, Greyhound buses no longer services the ancient city because the city allowed its contract with the company to expire.

“It won’t help us at all,” James Stevens, who is currently living on the streets in St. Augustine, said.

Stevens sees the city’s latest move as a continuation of growing anti-homeless sentiment.

“It makes me feel bad because they do not care about us,” Stevens said.

Related Story: Neighbors express concerns about homeless camp near St. Augustine middle school

As for tourists we spoke with, some have noticed an increase in the homeless population in recent years, but they told us it doesn’t bother them.

“We’re coming back. No matter what. Nothing will stop us coming here,” Kenny, who was visiting from St. Petersburg, said.

“I live in the City of Chicago so, you know, you’re talking a lot more. I don’t think it’s bad. New Orleans is a lot worse,” tourist Maria Aloth said.

According to a survey of St. John’s County’s homeless population last year, there was a 17 percent decrease in homelessness compared to 2021.

Greyhound Lines has indicated it hopes to return to St. Augustine in the future.

Related Story: State funding helps St. Augustine nonprofit build campus for women facing homelessness

“It is our hope that we can resume operations in the future in cooperation with the city so we can continue to provide this essential service to the community,” a Greyhound spokesperson in an emailed statement said.

And while Stevens said he doesn’t agree with the message the city is trying to send, he and other people living on St. Augustine’s streets are hearing it loud and clear.

“A lot of homeless people are leaving now because the police, all they’re doing is harassing them. If they’re not harassing them, they’re locking them up for nothing,” Stevens said.