FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23rd, 2025

MEDIA ADVISORY

Congresswoman Castor and Mayor Welch Join PSTA

 for Launch of New Spark Transit Service Connecting South St. Pete

to the Beach & Downtown

Pinellas County, FL—U.S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, and Eckerd College President Dr. James J. Annarelli will join the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) on Monday, October 27 at 10:00 a.m. for the launch of Spark, a new premium express bus service designed to better connect southern Pinellas County with Downtown St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach.

Spark is PSTA’s newest high-frequency route, operating from Eckerd College to Grand Central Station along 34th Street South (U.S. 19). The service features 18 upgraded stations with shelters, lighting, and real-time arrival information, and is powered by a fleet of all-electric buses providing cleaner, quieter rides. Buses will run daily from 5 a.m. to midnight, arriving every 15 minutes during peak hours.

WHAT

Ribbon cutting & launch of new Spark bus service

WHEN

Monday, October 27, at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE

Eckerd College

4200 54th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33711

WHO

Mayor Ken Welch, City of St. Petersburg

U.S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor, District 14

State Senator Darryl Rouson, District 16

Deborah Figgs-Sanders, PSTA Board Chair & St. Petersburg Councilmember

Dr. James J. Annarelli, President of Eckerd College

Misty Bottorff, Executive Director of the Skyway Marina District

Brad Miller, PSTA Chief Executive Officer

The launch marks a major milestone in implementing the Skyway Marina District Master Plan, improving mobility and accessibility for residents, businesses, and students while reducing congestion and emissions along one of the region’s busiest corridors. To learn more about Spark, click here.

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