For Immediate Release
July 27th, 2026
CONNECTING THE REGION: PSTA Unveils New “727” Premium Service from Downtown St. Petersburg to Tampa International Airport
New service will be first of its kind in PSTA history
TAMPA, FL – The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) today officially unveiled the brand for its newest premium regional transit service, 727, a first-of-its-kind express route that will provide a direct connection between downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa International Airport (TPA).
Inspired by the iconic 727 area code, the new premium service reflects the region it serves while highlighting a new era of regional mobility. The logo features the St. Petersburg skyline alongside the signature wind sails of the Howard Frankland Bridge, symbolizing the seamless connection between Pinellas County and Tampa made possible through the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) new express lanes.
When service launches, 727 will serve nine stops throughout downtown St. Petersburg before traveling directly to Tampa International Airport via the Howard Frankland Bridge Express Lanes. Operating seven days a week with consistent service from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., the service will offer residents, visitors and airport employees a reliable, convenient and affordable alternative to driving. The vehicles will also be equipped with luggage racks.
“This is more than a new route. It’s a transformational investment in how our region moves,” said Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer of PSTA. “For the first time, residents and visitors will have a direct, premium transit connection from the heart of downtown St. Petersburg to Tampa International Airport. Whether you’re catching a flight, heading to work or visiting our community, 727 will make traveling across the bay easier, faster and more convenient than ever before.”
“We applaud PSTA for thinking regionally and creating new ways to improve connectivity in the Tampa Bay area. This new express service will offer a convenient, reliable, and sustainable link across the bridge for our 25 million annual passengers and nearly 11,000 employees, strengthening mobility and growth for both Tampa and St. Pete,” said Michael Stephens, CEO of Tampa International Airport. “I look forward to working with PSTA and continuing conversations with all of our transit partners to promote and expand these kinds of vital transportation options.”
The service will utilize Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) newly constructed Howard Frankland Bridge Express Lanes, helping provide more reliable travel times by bypassing much of the congestion that has historically impacted travel between Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.
727 represents PSTA’s continued investment in premium, high-quality transit options that make it easier to travel throughout the Tampa Bay region. The service builds upon the success of the award-winning SunRunner by expanding fast, reliable regional connections that support economic growth, tourism and improved access to major destinations.
“The brand is more than a logo or a bus scheme. It’s a promise to our riders, and to our region, for this new service. Direct, daily service between Downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa International Airport has consistently been one of our most requested services from locals and visitors alike,” said Amanda Baird, Director of Communications and Marketing for PSTA. “We’re excited for this service to take flight with a brand and passenger experience that are an extension of what people have come to expect from America’s Favorite Airport.”
The service is expected to launch in October of this year.
Stephanie Weaver
Communications & Public Relations Manager
C: (727) 249-6542
E: sweaver@psta.net
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ABOUT PINELLAS SUNCOAST TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Since 1903, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) has served as the premier public transit provider for Pinellas County, Florida’s most densely populated county. The SunRunner, Tampa Bay’s first-ever Bus Rapid Transit service, provides a reliable, car-free option from downtown St. Pete and St. Pete Beach. With 41 fixed-route bus routes, two express routes to downtown Tampa, the Suncoast Beach trolley, Jolley Trolley and Looper and their paratransit service Access, PSTA provides 10.7 million rides annually. For more information about PSTA, visit www.psta.net