There’s a shift happening in Pinellas County. 

 

You’ve heard about it. 

You’ve probably seen it. 

Now, it’s on its way! 

 

PSTA is proud to announce the grand opening of The SunRunner, on Friday, October 21, 2022! 

 

The SunRunner is PSTA’s new Bus Rapid Transit service, and the first of its kind in the Tampa Bay region. What is a “Bus Rapid Transit” service? We’re glad you asked! Bus Rapid Transit, also known as BRT or “rail on wheels,” is an effective way to introduce rapid transit into a community’s existing roadways and infrastructure, making it a fraction of the cost compared to other transit systems. BRT lines like the SunRunner have been built in cities around the world and have been proven to improve transit reliability and traffic flow while supporting community growth. 

 

Transit Reliability 

With buses arriving every 15 minutes during peak hours and stopping at every station on the route, the SunRunner is a reliable transit system to help you reach your destination quickly. All 30 stations feature a yellow, easy-to-identify totem with digital displays and real-time bus arrival information, allowing you to better plan your trip and time. 

Even more exciting news—the SunRunner will be completely free to ride for the first six months of service. Following those first six months, SunRunner is a completely cashless system— you can plan and pay for your trip using your smartphone, or pay your fare with your Flamingo Fares card, keeping your hands free for those beach chairs and coolers instead of fumbling for change.  

 

Traffic Flow 

The SunRunner will connect you to some of Pinellas County’s most-visited destinations including St. Pete Beach, downtown St. Pete, and everything in-between. By running in its own lane paired with high-frequency service, the SunRunner delivers passengers from resorts, events, and other attractions to businesses along the corridor. By improving your experience through faster trip times, traffic flow, and more frequent service, the SunRunner is built to serve core customers and attract new transit riders, like you! 

 

Supporting the Community 

The SunRunner is also here to support the community through development and beautification. 

 Select stations showcase the character of the community with art built right into the stop. With original artwork inspired by local flora, fauna and architecture from Catherine Woods on shelters throughout the route  and Chad Mize’s Mr. Sun smiling on every SunRunner bus, the SunRunner’s branding is completely unique to our community. 

 

In addition to beauty, the SunRunner is a smart investment. According to a National Association of Realtors & APTA study, this type of transit system is an unbeatable investment for the community. Residential property values were found to perform whopping 41% better if they were located near public transportation with high-frequency service. 

 

Fun fact: public transportation generates four times the economic return for every dollar invested. What does that mean for the community? 

• Promotes tourism spending by allowing easy access to popular attractions 
• Brings more traffic into local businesses 
• Widens the talent pool of employees directly from your community 

• Streamlines traffic for smooth travel for delivery drivers and local customers 

 

Ready to take a ride? Be sure to stay tuned at psta.net/sunrunner for the latest updates.