ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Less than 6 months after its launch, there’s already talk of expanding the SunRunner.
The area’s first bus rapid-transit between St. Pete Beach and downtown St. Petersburg launched in October.
Transit leaders are looking at expanding the service towards the waterfront with a possible new stop at 1st Ave N and 1st St. The board recently voted to explore that option.
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority has submitted a letter to the Federal Transit Administration for approval.
The PSTA says it saved more than $5 million in construction. That money would be used to build the expansion.
Denise Deja works at The Merchant store in downtown. The SunRunner has been a big help getting her to work.
“I love using the SunRunner,” Deja said. “Personally, I don’t have a car. So I walk and ride the bus all of the time.”
It’s a 10-mile route on a dedicated lane between the beach and downtown with several stops on the way.
Deja says The Merchant also runs a stand at the Pier. She sees firsthand how an extra bus stop could benefit tourists and visitors to the shop and the stand.
“We have a lot of tourists that come in here and they’re always trying to figure out how to get places quickly and easy,” Deja said. “So the SunRunner is another good place for that to happen.”
The SunRunner is still free to ride.
The PSTA board voted to expand the free fares for another 6 months. Free rides were originally supposed to end in May.