The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority SPARK line took its inaugural ride from the new Eckerd College station on Oct. 27. Photos by Penh Alicandro ’22
The ceremony concluded with a shiny, new electric bus rolling through a ribbon as bubble guns filled the sky with soapy celebration on Oct. 27.
Minutes later the inaugural riders of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority’s SPARK line departed from the freshly -installed sheltered bus depot at the main entrance of Eckerd College.
The new express bus service takes passengers up and down 34th Street South—connecting the Skyway Marina District to the Grand Central District. With only 18 stops, the new route is designed to deliver passengers from South St. Petersburg to the First Avenue South transfer station with lightning speed. During peak ridership hours, the buses will arrive and depart from Eckerd every 15 minutes. In the early morning and post-rush hour, the buses will be 30 minutes apart.
PSTA CEO Brad Miller credits the persistent requests of Eckerd students for advancing the vision of the route. The transit group recently welcomed Eckerd into its U-Pass program, which allows students, faculty and staff with Eckerd ID cards to ride the system buses without paying fares.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch
“We’re so very proud and honored that this new service originates here on our beautiful campus,” Eckerd President Jim Annarelli told the ribbon cutting ceremony attendees.
(From left to right) Florida State Representative Lindsay Cross, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, St. Petersburg City Councilwoman Deborah Figgs-Sanders, City of South Pasadena Vice Mayor Tom Reid, U.S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Eckerd President Jim Annarelli and PSTA CEO Brad Miller cut the SPARK ribbon.
“SPARK represents for all Eckerd community members reliable and affordable transportation to and from campus. For students it provides an easy way to reach Downtown St. Petersburg, their internships and their part-time jobs, as well as offering access to them the many cultural and recreational opportunities that our great city offers.”
PSTA launched the service with a press conference and celebration at the bus stop featuring dignitaries U.S. Representative Kathy Castor, Florida State Representative Lindsay Cross, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, St. Petersburg City Councilwoman Deborah Figgs-Sanders and Skyway Marina District Executive Director Misty Bottorff. Each leader spoke to the local media and the cadre of gathered students, faculty, staff and alumni at the ribbon cutting enjoying refreshments from Tim’s Coffee Truck.
“The reason we support SPARK is because it connects our neighborhoods,” Mayor Welch explained. “It links directly with SunRunner, expanding a network that is already helping residents, workers and visitors move efficiently across our city without needing a car.”
Increasing bus ridership also fits into Eckerd’s ethos of environmental responsibility and connection to the wider St. Petersburg community.
St. Petersburg Councilwoman Deborah Figgs-Sanders
Ceremony attendees enjoyed complimentary drinks from Tim’s Coffee Truck.
“The all-electric buses of SPARK mean cleaner air and fewer cars on the road,” Annarelli said For Eckerd community members who care deeply about protecting our planet, SPARK demonstrates how innovation and environmental stewardship can work hand in hand.”
Erica Bauer, a first year student from Elk River, Minnesota, told news crews, “Not everybody is able to have a car on campus, so having our own transportation is really nice because then we’re able to go downtown and explore the city, especially if we’re from out-of-state. And, we don’t have to pay an absurd amount of money for an Uber.”
U.S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor
