A PSTA ‘Spark’ bus in St. Petersburg, Florida on Oct. 27, 2025. Credit: MayorKenWelch / Facebook
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) rolled out its most significant change in over 40 years on Sunday, Oct. 26, promising smoother rides for bus commuters. But not all riders are excited.
Influenced by feedback from community members and riders compiled every five years, the Connected Community Bus Network (CCBN) initiative promises improved frequencies on high-demand routes, timed transfers and new services.
Most notable of these changes will be the launch of Spark, a sequel concept to the SunRunner, replacing the 34 bus. The 3.7-mile route will cover the US-19 corridor at 34th Street S from Grand Central Station to Eckerd College. Operating at 15-minute frequencies at peak hours and 30-minute off-peak, its features include dual-boarding electric buses, shelters for every stop, and screens displaying real-time travel information. Unlike the SunRunner’s cashless system, Spark will be accepting both cash and card.
Frequency increases are expected on bus routes 4, 9, 52, 74 during weekends, 18, and 34, as well as the Suncoast Beach Trolley and Jolly Trolley, both of which service Pinellas County’s coastal areas.
With these improvements come service frequency cuts on the 74 route during weekdays and the 59 route. With the exception of all the trolley lines, SunRunner, 19, 100x, and 300x buses, the entire system will experience some degree of rerouting. The changes also come at the cost of accessibility for some riders, as level boarding is not yet available on Spark.
PSTA spokesperson Stephanie Weaver told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that some compromises needed to be made to keep the project cost-neutral and avoid using more taxpayer funds.
“These changes have been closely informed by extensive ridership data and are intended to lay the groundwork for future improvements,” Weaver told CL. “This is just the beginning of PSTA’s efforts to create a more clear, consistent, and connected bus network.”
She encouraged riders who need personalized trip planning or have questions about their route to email ccbn@psta.net.
“We understand that any change to familiar routes and stops can feel disruptive, and we know the importance of reliable and accessible transit for all riders, including our seniors and riders with disabilities,” Weaver said.
“Our team has been actively out in the community, at bus stops, onboard buses, and at events, helping riders understand their new travel options and plan their trips under the Connected Community Bus Network.”
Some of the system’s regular commuters told CL they were optimistic about the changes. Amanda Lemonda, who regularly commutes from Boca Ciega to Pinellas Park, is hopeful that traffic will be alleviated.
“I think it will help the infrastructure and city tremendously and will allow people to get from point A to point B more efficiently,” Lemonada told CL.
Some, like Walter Butler, expressed concerns that the changes could harm low-income, working-class minorities. While Butler relies on specialized paratransit, he’s concerned about the system prioritizing internal efficiency over the needs of the Black community.
Rider Keith Gamble shared his concern that reroutes will force riders to make more transfers to arrive at their destination.
“The way they have them now, you can take one bus to get to your destination, so what you’ve got now is a person trying to catch two buses to get to where they need to be,” Gamble told CL. “For me, it’s an inconvenience, and they’re making our elderly walk to another bus for another bus to catch two buses.”
Weaver also added that the system will continue to monitor rider input and travel patterns to make adjustments for the next service change period in February. Other routes expected to be replaced include 7, 14, 23, 32, 34 (on the 34th Street corridor section), 52LX, 66L, 67, 68, 75, 76, 79 and 812. More details about the reroutes are available on the official PSTA CCBN page.
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This article appears in Oct. 30 – Nov. 5, 2025.
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