The SunRunner is Tampa Bay's first bus rapid transit (BRT) line, operated by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA). It connects downtown St. Petersburg with St. Pete Beach along a 10 mile corridor that follows Central Avenue and its parallel streets, with 16 stops in each direction (31 station platforms in total). Dedicated lanes along much of the route and traffic signal priority make the trip about 30 percent faster than a traditional bus on the same corridor.
When it runs
The SunRunner operates seven days a week from 6 a.m. to midnight. Buses arrive every 15 minutes until 8 p.m., then every 30 minutes until midnight. On Friday and Saturday nights, the SunRunner After Dark schedule keeps 15 minute frequency running all the way to midnight.
Fares and how to pay
The SunRunner launched in October 2022 with free rides as an introductory promotion, and PSTA began charging regular fares in late 2023. As of 2026-08-29, riding the SunRunner costs the same as any regular PSTA bus: $2.25 per ride, or $1.10 for riders who qualify for the reduced fare (seniors 65 and older, riders with disabilities, and students). unverified
One important difference from regular buses: the SunRunner is cashless. Cash is not accepted on board. You can pay by tapping a contactless debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover), a smartphone wallet, or a wearable device such as an Apple Watch at the fare reader. You can also use the Flamingo Fares regional fare card or the Flamingo Fares mobile app. Flamingo Fares automatically caps what you spend at $5 per day and $85 per month ($2.50 and $42.50 reduced), so frequent riders never pay more than the cost of a pass. unverified
Riding tips
Stations are level with the bus door for easy boarding with wheelchairs, strollers, and bikes, and buses have on-board bike racks. The line serves downtown St. Petersburg, the Grand Central District, South Pasadena, and St. Pete Beach, making it a practical way to reach the beach without paying for beach parking. Real time arrival information is available through PSTA's schedule tools at psta.net. For help, call the PSTA InfoLine at 727-540-1900.