First SunRunner Station In Downtown St. Pete Features Stained-Glass Art By Local Artist

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The first completed SunRunner station featuring local art was unveiled Friday in downtown St. Petersburg by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority and city leaders.

The station is located at the corner of First Avenue North and Fifth Street North. Catherine Woods, a St. Petersburg artist, created locally inspired stained-glass art on the station along with others on the bus line.

“Being able to incorporate public art into the design of the bus shelters I think is a win-win,” PSTA CEO Brad Miller said. “It enhances the esthetics and appeal of the SunRunner and it’s also a great way to recognize and compliment the region’s growing arts community.”

Features for the SunRunner include semi-dedicated lanes, limited stops and safety enhancements for riders including level boarding platforms and crosswalks. The 10.3-mile line will connect St. Pete Beach with downtown St. Petersburg. It will include 16 stops with buses running every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes in the evening, PSTA officials said.

"I am incredibly excited for this next phase of the SunRunner project," Mayor Rick Kriseman said. "These stations represent a huge step towards a new day in transportation for our city and our region. My thanks to Catherine Woods for her creativity and for reminding us that St. Pete is truly a city of the arts. I also want to thank Brad Miller, as well as the board and the staff of PSTA for making today possible, and for leading the way on the SunRunner."

Board Chair Pat Gerard said the SunRunner is a new form of mass transit that the St. Pete area has needed. Gerard pointed out how difficult it can be to find parking at the beach or downtown. The SunRunner is expected to do away with those frustrations, according to city officials.

The SunRunner features free Wi-Fi, on-board bike space and multi-door boarding. You can prepay with your smartphone or other device, so you won’t need to search for your fare while your hands are full of beach gear. It is expected to open in summer of 2022.