First Completed SunRunner Station Unveiled
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3, 2021
First Completed SunRunner Station Unveiled
The station includes stained glass art by Catherine Woods
St. Petersburg, FL – Today, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) celebrated a milestone with the region’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. PSTA and city leaders unveiled the first completed SunRunner station (Click here for photos/Click here for video). The station located at the corner of 1st Avenue North & 5th Street in St. Petersburg, along with many others on the line, features unique, locally inspired, stained-glass art from St. Petersburg artist, Catherine Woods.
"I am incredibly excited for this next phase of the SunRunner project. These stations represent a huge step towards a new day in transportation for our city and our region,” said Mayor Rick Kriseman. “My thanks to Catherine Woods for her creativity and for reminding us that St. Pete is truly a city of the arts. I also want to thank Brad Miller, as well as the board and the staff of PSTA for making today possible, and for leading the way on the SunRunner." Being able to incorporate public art into the design of the bus shelters I think in a win-win,” said PSTA CEO Brad Miller. “It enhances the esthetics and appeal of the SunRunner and it’s also a great way to recognize and complement the region’s growing arts community.”
The SunRunner features semi-dedicated lanes, limited stops, and safety enhancements for riders including level boarding platforms and crosswalks. The 10.3-mile line will connect St. Pete Beach, the best beach in the U.S., with downtown St. Petersburg. It will include 16 stops with buses running every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes in the evening.
“The SunRunner is a new form of mass transit this area has needed,” added Board Chair Pat Gerard. “We know how hard it can be to find parking at the beach or downtown St. Pete and thanks to the SunRunner, you won’t have to deal with that frustration anymore.”
The SunRunner features free Wi-Fi, onboard bike space, and multi-door boarding. You can easily prepay with your smartphone or other devices, so you won’t need to search for your fare while your hands are full of beach gear. The SunRunner will get you to the beach and back fast – and comfortably. It is expected to open in the Summer of 2022.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Weaver
PSTA Communications & Public Relations Manager
O: (727) 540-1853 | C: (727) 249-6542
E: Sweaver@psta.net
About PSTA: The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is the public transit provider for Pinellas County, providing more than 12.1 million rides per year. PSTA operates 40 bus and trolley routes with a fleet of 210 vehicles.