Media Advisory: Congresswoman Castor and Mayor Welch Join PSTA for Launch of New Spark Transit Service Connecting South St. Pete to the Beach & Downtown
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23rd, 2025
MEDIA ADVISORY
Congresswoman Castor and Mayor Welch Join PSTA
for Launch of New Spark Transit Service Connecting South St. Pete
to the Beach & Downtown
Pinellas County, FL—U.S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, and Eckerd College President Dr. James J. Annarelli will join the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) on Monday, October 27 at 10:00 a.m. for the launch of Spark, a new premium express bus service designed to better connect southern Pinellas County with Downtown St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach.
Spark is PSTA’s newest high-frequency route, operating from Eckerd College to Grand Central Station along 34th Street South (U.S. 19). The service features 18 upgraded stations with shelters, lighting, and real-time arrival information, and is powered by a fleet of all-electric buses providing cleaner, quieter rides. Buses will run daily from 5 a.m. to midnight, arriving every 15 minutes during peak hours.
WHAT
Ribbon cutting & launch of new Spark bus service
WHEN
Monday, October 27, at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE
Eckerd College
4200 54th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33711
WHO
Mayor Ken Welch, City of St. Petersburg
U.S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor, District 14
State Senator Darryl Rouson, District 16
Deborah Figgs-Sanders, PSTA Board Chair & St. Petersburg Councilmember
Dr. James J. Annarelli, President of Eckerd College
Misty Bottorff, Executive Director of the Skyway Marina District
Brad Miller, PSTA Chief Executive Officer
The launch marks a major milestone in implementing the Skyway Marina District Master Plan, improving mobility and accessibility for residents, businesses, and students while reducing congestion and emissions along one of the region’s busiest corridors. To learn more about Spark, click here.
Stephanie Weaver
Communications & Public Relations Manager
ABOUT PINELLAS SUNCOAST TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Since 1903, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) has served as the premier public transit provider for Pinellas County, Florida’s most densely populated county. The SunRunner, Tampa Bay’s first-ever Bus Rapid Transit service, provides a reliable, car-free option from downtown St. Pete and St. Pete Beach. With 41 fixed-route bus routes, two express routes to downtown Tampa, the Suncoast Beach trolley, Jolley Trolley and Looper and their paratransit service Access, PSTA provides 10.7 million rides annually. For more information about PSTA, visit www.psta.net