New express bus will connect downtown St. Pete directly to Tampa International Airport
/PSTA CEO Brad Miller stands in front of the new 727 Airport Express buses, which will connect downtown St. Pete with Tampa International Airport | St. Pete Rising
Getting from downtown St. Petersburg to Tampa International Airport (TPA) without a car is about to become much easier.
Beginning in October, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) will launch the 727, a new premium express bus service connecting downtown St. Pete directly to the airport.
The route will make nine stops throughout downtown, including stops at SunRunner stations, before traveling nonstop to the airport using the Howard Frankland Bridge express lanes.
“For years, one of the questions I have received is, ‘How do I get from downtown St. Petersburg to the airport without driving?’” PSTA CEO Brad Miller said during a joint announcement with airport officials Monday morning. “Until now, we didn’t have a very good answer. Today, we do.”
The daily service is being touted as a more predictable alternative to driving and parking, particularly during peak tourism periods when the airport’s garages frequently reach capacity.
Buses equipped with luggage racks and Wi-Fi will operate from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week, with service approximately every 75 minutes. The trip is expected to take about 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
The bus will make nine stops in St. Petersburg before crossing the Howard Frankland Bridge | St. Pete Rising
Passengers will be dropped off at Tampa International Airport’s Rental Car Center, where they can take the automated SkyConnect train to the main terminal.
“Many travelers, including our international visitors, are accustomed to having public transportation options when they travel, and this will help meet that expectation,” Tampa International Airport CEO Michael Stephens said during the event.
In addition to serving the airport’s 25 million annual passengers, Stephens said the new route will provide another transportation option for its nearly 11,000 employees, many of whom live in St. Pete.
The 727 is a major component of PSTA’s Vision 2030 strategic plan and was developed in coordination with Tampa International Airport and the Florida Department of Transportation.
The new service will replace Route 100, which currently connects downtown St. Petersburg and downtown Tampa via the Gandy Bridge.
PSTA and Tampa International Airport officials formally announce the new 727 service at the airport in front of the skycenter one building | PSTA
Route 100 has historically experienced low ridership and does not operate on weekends or serve the airport. PSTA officials project the 727 will provide 75% more trips across Tampa Bay than Route 100.
The route will also expand cross-bay transportation options as PSTA prepares to relaunch ferry service between downtown St. Petersburg and downtown Tampa later this year.
The newly renamed Tampa Bay Ferry will feature a two-vessel fleet operated by Hubbard’s Marina.
“Think how easy it will be to arrive at the airport and ride the 727 to St. Pete and then ride the ferry over to Tampa to see the Tampa Bay Lightning or get a bite in Tampa,” PSTA Vice Chairperson and South Pasadena Commissioner Tom Reid said.
A one-way fare on the 727 will cost $2.25. A PSTA official said passengers who use the route and connect to other parts of St. Pete through the agency’s bus network will pay no more than $5 per day.
Inside the bus that is equipped with racks to store luggage from passengers | st. pete rising
