The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) began construction on a new SunRunner station near the St. Pete Pier in St. Petersburg, Florida on August 16. The new station will provide residents and visitors with better access to the St. Pete Pier, Beach Drive, the Cross Bay Ferry and the numerous restaurants, shops and hotels along the waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg.
“We are fulfilling our promise to the community by continuing to improve the SunRunner,” said Brad Miller, CEO of PSTA. “We have heard requests from citizens, riders, employees and elected officials to connect this service to St. Petersburg’s beautiful waterfront. Today we begin the process of turning those requests into reality.”
The new station – located near the Sundial parking garage at 150 1st Ave. North – will improve mobility and access to jobs, health education, education and activity centers.
“The SunRunner has been a game changer for our region, providing high-performance transportation options that benefit everyone,” said State Senator Darryl Rouson (D). “The PSTA’s commitment to connectivity is evident in its efforts to get new people to try public transit and the positive impact it has on our community. It is a testament to what can be accomplished when we invest in our transportation infrastructure.”
The SunRunner launched in October 2022 with the goal of attracting new riders to public transit, improving the lives of residents, businesses and visitors, and contributing to a safer, cleaner community. In its first year, the SunRunner surpassed 1 million riders and remains one of the PSTA’s best performing lines, recently recording its highest ridership ever on June 22, 2024.
The line has only a few stops and takes passengers “from the beach to the castle” (and vice versa) in about 40 minutes. Thanks to the frequent connections every 15 minutes during peak times, passengers do not have to wait long. The new inner-city station, together with three new SunRunner buses, will maintain the promised 15-minute frequency, the agency said.
“It’s an incredible win for our community,” said Gina Driscoll, PSTA board chair and St. Pete City Councilwoman. “The SunRunner is helping St. Petersburg become an even safer and cleaner community. The hybrid electric vehicles are reducing the number of cars on the road and lowering carbon dioxide emissions. Traffic accidents have also dropped significantly since the corridor opened.”
The line serves more than 50,000 jobs and 40,000 residents within a half-mile radius.
“The new SunRunner station will bring great benefits to tourists visiting our area and staying at hotels like Hyatt Place,” said Stephen Nunez, general manager of Hyatt Place St. Petersburg Downtown. “The service makes life more convenient for both residents and businesses by providing workers with easy access to their jobs, strengthening our local economy and ensuring our city remains a top destination for visitors.”
“A big thank you to PSTA staff, our public and private partners, PSTA board members, and our federal and state elected officials who have embraced our vision that high-quality public transit can literally transform our community and improve our quality of life,” Miller said.
Crews completed the original SunRunner project $5 million under budget, allowing the remaining funds to be invested in the expansion. The new station is scheduled to open in late 2024.
