The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) has announced that its new SunRunner Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service will open in Tampa Bay on 21 October 2022.
The SunRunner will be the first BRT service to operate in the Tampa Bay region.
During peak times, the buses will operate every 15 minutes, serving 30 stops between St. Pete Beach and downtown St. Pete in Tampa Bay, Florida.
The hybrid electric buses will run in semi-dedicated Business Access Transit (BAT) lanes with transit signal priority to ensure the service remains rapid and reliable. Unlike fully dedicated bus lanes, BAT lanes aim to further reduce traffic congestion by also providing access for vehicles that are making a turn.
The system has been integrated into the region’s existing infrastructure f0r a fraction of the cost of alternatives such as light rail.
The SunRunner vehicles will feature free wifi, on-board bike space, level boarding and multi-door boarding.
The service will be free to ride during its first six months of operations and will then operate with a cashless payment system.
