Starting Oct. 26, buses will zip along a fresh route called Spark between Eckerd College and Grand Central Station. The quick service runs every 15 minutes when most people need it.
Buses will stop at 18 spots on 34th Street South. The clean-running electric fleet starts at 6 a.m., making trips until 8 p.m. When fewer people ride, before 6 a.m. and after 8 p.m., buses come every half hour until midnight.
Students can catch rides to four schools on the line:Â
Eckerd CollegePinellas Technical CollegeGibbs High SchoolSt. Petersburg College.
The UPASS program lets students and workers at these schools ride any regular bus without paying.
New stations make waiting better. Each stop shows when the next bus comes, keeps rain off riders, and stays bright after dark. Quick payment works at both doors: tap a card or use cash up front.
First-week riders win big. They’ll get a Spark Lightning Card that cuts prices at spots near the route. Bandit, Tombolo Books, and Beef ‘O’ Brady’s are just some places giving deals.
At Grand Central Station, riders can switch to ten other routes. One stop opens up trips across all of Pinellas County.
Spark marks the start of big changes. The Connected Community Bus Network starts the same day, making trips faster across St. Petersburg and Pinellas County. Buses will come more often on many routes.
Five bus lines will pick up riders every 20 minutes or less. The beach-bound SunRunner keeps its current times between downtown St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach.
Changes affect some current 34th Street South stops. Check psta.net for new routes or ask questions at ccbn@psta.net about the updated service.