Trouble in Transit: Florida Orders SunRunner to Share the Road
Divided Reactions Across the Bay
The state of Florida has ordered St. Petersburg’s signature SunRunner bus line to give up its dedicated lane along Pasadena Boulevard. The decision is drawing celebration from opponents and frustration from transit advocates who fear it could roll back years of progress.
For the first time since the SunRunner’s 2022 launch, the bright gold buses that connect downtown St. Pete to St. Pete Beach will now have to merge with everyday traffic. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) concluded that the dedicated bus lane contributed to congestion, confusion, and a spike in crashes.
The Numbers Behind the Decision
Under a 2024 state law known as HB 1301, FDOT was required to study any project that removed lanes from general car use. The agency’s report revealed a 50 percent increase in crashes along Pasadena Boulevard, rising from 36 annually before the SunRunner to 54 once it began service.
State Representative Linda Chaney, a frequent critic of the project, said the study also found slower flow in general lanes and confusion among drivers unsure how to enter driveways through the painted bus corridor.
FDOT’s recommendation was straightforward: return that stretch to a shared traffic and right-turn lane while giving buses signal priority at intersections to help offset delays.
At a press conference, Chaney celebrated the change.
“After four years, we turned the concerns of local leaders, organizations, and residents into action,” she said at a ribbon-cutting. “Today shows our residents that their state officials listen and take action.”
A Price Tag With Strings Attached
The rollback might save seconds on local commutes, but it could cost Pinellas millions. In 2020, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) secured a $22 million federal grant to help build the SunRunner. That funding was contingent on maintaining a true “bus rapid transit” model — meaning dedicated lanes were part of the deal.
“If buses get stuck in the same traffic as everyone else, it’s not rapid anymore,” explained Darden Rice, PSTA’s chief planning and community affairs officer, in an earlier interview. “That’s the entire point of dedicated lanes.”
If federal officials determine the state’s change violates those grant terms, repayment could be required — though how that would happen or who would cover the cost remains unclear.
What the Road Ahead Could Look Like
For now, the SunRunner will continue operating alongside regular traffic along Pasadena Boulevard, while its signature bus-only lanes remain in place across most of First Avenue North and First Avenue South. Whether this rollback is a minor adjustment or the first domino in a larger transit retreat will depend on what comes next from Tallahassee and Washington.