PSTA’s Spark Ignites New Era of Clean Transit in South St. Petersburg

A new era of transportation has arrived in south St. Petersburg, FL, with the launch of Spark, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority’s (PSTA) all-electric express bus service connecting Eckerd College and the Skyway Marina District with downtown St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach.

The new service—officially launched Oct. 27—marks another major step forward in PSTA’s effort to expand sustainable, high-quality transit options throughout Pinellas County. Running along 34^th Street South (U.S. 19) from Eckerd College to Grand Central Station, Spark offers faster, cleaner, and more reliable travel while linking residents with jobs, schools, and essential services.

Each of the 18 upgraded stations along the corridor features modern shelters, enhanced lighting, and digital screens displaying real-time bus arrival information. Every Spark vehicle is fully electric, providing a quieter, zero-emission ride that underscores PSTA’s commitment to environmental innovation and community-centered design.

“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 builds on the success of the SunRunner, Tampa Bay’s first BRT line, which has exceeded ridership projections and demonstrated the demand for premium, frequent, reliable service. While Spark does not operate in dedicated lanes like the SunRunner, it is designed to complement that system and extend PSTA’s growing electric fleet into new areas of the county.

For PSTA Board Chair and St. Petersburg City Councilmember Deborah Figgs-Sanders, the service is an investment in equity and access. “Spark ensures that residents in South St. Pete have reliable and affordable ways to reach jobs, schools, and vital services,” she said. “When we invest in transit, we invest in people—and Spark delivers on that promise.”

By linking neighborhoods that have long faced barriers to mobility, Spark helps bring South St. Petersburg closer to the heart of the region’s economic and cultural growth.

As PSTA continues to implement its long-term vision for a cleaner, connected future, Spark represents the next phase in creating an efficient, sustainable transit network that reflects the needs and values of Pinellas County’s communities.