PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Starting Oct. 1, it will no longer be free to ride the SunRunner. 

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) has decided to add a fare to riding the bus service in wake of complaints from residents and local leaders about an increase in crime tied to the homeless population in the area.

What You Need To Know

  • Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) officials discussed SunRunner concerns and fare charges Wednesday

  • The rides have been free but PSTA will now be charging fares starting on Oct. 1

  • There have been complaints from St. Pete Beach residents and local leaders about an increase in crime tied to the homeless population in the area 

  • PREVIOUS STORY: Pinellas County beachgoers say they are looking forward to SunRunner

PSTA voted on charging $2.25 for a regular ticket, or $1.10 for those eligible for a reduced fare, which can only be paid with a credit card, debit card or Flamingo Fares card. The motion passed 12 to 2.

Officials met Wednesday to discuss issues with the popular bus route that whisks riders to area beaches. The rides have been free — charging for the SunRunner wasn't supposed to start until November.

While some riders call a fare unreasonable, others say they’re willing to pay to cut down on some of the issues.

This comes following concerns from Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and St. Pete Beach residents who said they’re bothered by ongoing incidents.

St. Pete each mayor Adrian Petrila released this statement: “We have received numerous reports from residents on increased crime, as well as residents being harassed and accosted at Dolphin Plaza, where the Publix is located, across the street from the last SunRunner stop.”

Pinellas County Commissioner Chris Latvala, who also is on the PSTA board, also weighed in, saying, "We’ve heard things with vandalism, small petty crime but other issues.

"I’m going to be supportive of doing a fare throughout the whole SunRunner route along First Avenue and just have a blanket fare but also I think we need to look at instituting some sort of voucher system that uses the SunRunner. But the other question I’m going to ask is when they talk about people that are trouble, who are they talking about."

PSTA officials released a statement saying “it strives to provide a service all people are welcome to use.”

However, the Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas responded, saying a fare, an electronic one at that, could quote, “disproportionately affect marginalized communities” who rely on the SunRunner.