ST. PETERSBURG — Ridership on the SunRunner has increased every month since its launch in October 2022, representing a successful start to the Tampa Bay area's first bus rapid transit system, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority reports.

To keep that momentum going, SunRunner hosted a town hall at 1 p.m. Monday to get the public's input. 

What You Need To Know

  • SunRunner ridership keeps picking up, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority reports

  • The organization's CEO and local congressional representative seek to get rider feedback

  • A town hall was held Monday, and another is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. June 28

  • The second meeting is to go over zoning changes and get input on how to grow areas around the bus line

The town hall meeting took place on the move, starting at the 1st Avenue and 5th Street bus station.

Chief Executive Officer Brad Miller and U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Florida) seek to gather feedback from riders on the best direction for the transit system’s future. 

According to an American Public Transportation Association released in 2020, every dollar invested in public transit generates $5 in economic benefits. Miller notes that local businesses along the more-than-10-mile route have already seen increased foot traffic since SunRunner's launch. 

The ultimate goal of the transit system is to enhance the quality of life for riders and drive the local economy. 

The $44 million transit system was built to connect riders to popular destinations throughout Pinellas County, from downtown St. Pete to St. Pete Beach. 

“I live in Ruskin, but my aunt lives in northeast St. Pete, so I come out here often," Zachary Bryant told Bay News 9. "It’s really great, especially for bicyclists with more bike room.”

Another rider says he likes the flexibility.

“I love it, I love the fact that it’s free!” Aaron Pellerin says. “I love that you can go till about 11-12 o’clock at night back and forth to the beach. The only thing I’d say that I really don’t like about it is that it gets crowded. Where they have the bikes, they could add more seats. Other than that, I absolutely love it.”

Tom Dubler was originally a doubter, but the system is growing on him.

“When I watched it being built, I said this isn’t going to work," he says. "It really seems to work. Buses are crowded....Keep it Free!"

Another meeting for feedback will be hosted by the city of St. Petersburg at 5:30 p.m. June 28 to go over zoning changes and to get input on how the city should grow areas surrounding the bus line. It will be held at the St. Pete College Midtown campus.