Tampa Bay Bus Rapid Transit To Launch in October

A bus rapid transit line is coming to Tampa Bay—and it’s free to ride for the first six months. “The SunRunner, a 16-stop line, will shuttle passengers between downtown St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach in 35 minutes each way — about 30% faster than current bus service, according to the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority,” reports Olivia George for the Tampa Bay Times. Construction on the SunRunner’s first station was completed in December., and the service launches on October 21.

“The SunRunner has garnered broad-base support in a region long gridlocked over plans for public transit. Colleges, business leaders, local and state officials and regional transit supporters have championed the project as a step toward reducing the growing problems of congestion and harmful emissions.” However, residents in St. Petersburg expressed opposition to the route originally proposed, which would have ended at the Don Cesar Hotel. “A revised route has it turning around at St. Pete Beach Park, near 47th Avenue.”