The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) has launched Spark, its all-electric express bus service connecting Eckerd College and the Skyway Marina District with downtown St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach.
The service, which was launched on 27 October, runs along 34th Street South from Eckerd College to Grand Central Station and aims to offer fast, clean travel to link residents with jobs, schools and other essential services.
Improvements made to the corridor in order to accommodate the new service include upgrades at each of its 18 stations, with installations including modern shelters, enhanced lighting and digital screens displaying real-time bus information.
PSTA CEO Brad Miller, said:Spark is more than a bus line. It’s another step toward a cleaner, more connected future for St. Petersburg.
This service reflects years of community input, planning, and partnership at every level. By connecting the Skyway Marina District, Eckerd College, and downtown, Spark strengthens opportunity and access for everyone in our community.
The introduction of Spark aims to build on Tampa’s first BRT line, the SunRunner, which has, according to the PSTA, thus far exceeded ridership projections and demonstrated a clear demand for such services.
PSTA Board Chair and St. Petersburg City Councilmember Deborah Figgs-Sanders said:Spark ensures that residents in South St. Pete have reliable and affordable ways to reach jobs, schools, and vital services,” she said. “When we invest in transit, we invest in people—and Spark delivers on that promise.
