|
Pinellas County, FL—A new era of transportation arrives in south St. Petersburg today as the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) launches Spark, an all-electric express bus service that connects Eckerd College and the Skyway Marina District with Downtown St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach. Designed to deliver faster, cleaner, and more reliable travel, Spark expands access to jobs, schools, and essential services while advancing the city’s vision for a sustainable, connected future.
Running along 34th Street South (U.S. 19) from Eckerd College to Grand Central Station, Spark operates from 5 a.m. to midnight, with buses arriving every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes during early mornings and late nights. The service features 18 upgraded stations with modern shelters, lighting, and digital screens displaying real-time bus information. Every vehicle in the Spark fleet is fully electric, offering a quieter, zero-emission ride that aligns with PSTA’s commitment to clean energy and innovation.
“Spark is more than a bus line. It’s another step toward a cleaner, more connected future for St. Petersburg,” said PSTA CEO Brad Miller. “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.”
Spark is part of PSTA’s long-term strategy to expand efficient, reliable, public transportation across Pinellas County. It builds on the success of the SunRunner, Tampa Bay’s first Bus Rapid Transit line, which continues to exceed ridership expectations and reduce congestion along the city’s busiest corridors. Unlike the SunRunner, Spark will not use dedicated bus-and-turn lanes.
“This new service was built with the community in mind,” said PSTA Board Chair and St. Petersburg City Councilmember Deborah Figgs-Sanders. “Spark ensures that residents in South St. Pete have reliable and affordable ways to reach jobs, schools, and vital services. When we invest in transit, we invest in people, and Spark delivers on that promise.”
The new service links neighborhoods long separated by distance and accessibility barriers, bringing South St. Petersburg closer to the heart of the city’s economic and cultural growth.
“Today is an exciting day for St. Petersburg and for everyone who believes in smart, continuous growth,” said Mayor Ken Welch. “Spark connects our neighborhoods from Eckerd College through the Skyway Marina District to Downtown and beyond. It links directly with the SunRunner, strengthening a network that helps residents, workers, and visitors move efficiently across our city without needing a car. The future of mobility in St. Pete isn’t just coming, it’s already here, and it’s electric.”
Eckerd College is one of the major anchors of the new route, providing students, staff, and visitors with greater mobility options while advancing shared goals for mobility.
“For our students, Spark represents freedom and connection,” said Eckerd College President Dr. James J. Annarelli. “It provides a reliable and affordable way to reach Downtown St. Petersburg, internships, part-time jobs, and all the cultural opportunities that make this city so special. Spark also supports our values, showing how innovation and environmental stewardship can work hand in hand.”
The project also delivers on the Skyway Marina District Master Plan, which calls for stronger bus connections, improved shelters, and better pedestrian access along 34th Street South.
“Spark connects our residents to opportunity, our businesses to customers, and our district to the greater St. Petersburg community,” said Misty Bottorff, Executive Director of the Skyway Marina District. “It’s proof of what’s possible when innovation meets vision. With the launch of Spark, we’re seeing our Master Plan in action.”
By providing cleaner, faster, and more accessible service, Spark represents the next phase in PSTA’s mission to create an efficient transit network that reflects the needs and values of Pinellas County’s growing communities. To learn more about PSTA and its services, click here.
|
