A new way to travel to Tampa International Airport (TPA) from St. Petersburg will soon be available for residents and visitors seeking a direct connection between downtown St. Petersburg and the airport.
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) announced the launch of the “727” transit service, the first PSTA route of its kind to connect Pinellas County and Tampa using the Florida Department of Transportation’s new express lanes on the Howard Frankland Bridge.
When service begins, 727 will serve nine stops throughout downtown St. Petersburg before traveling to TPA through the Howard Frankland Bridge Express Lanes. The service will operate seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The new route will provide an alternative to driving by offering a more affordable and convenient transportation option across the bay.
“This is more than a new route. It’s a transformational investment in how our region moves,” said Brad Miller, CEO of PSTA, in a press release. “For the first time, residents and visitors will have a direct, premium transit connection from the heart of downtown St. Petersburg to Tampa International Airport. Whether you’re catching a flight, heading to work or visiting our community, 727 will make traveling across the bay easier, faster and more convenient than ever before.”
PSTA said using the express lanes will help provide more reliable travel times by avoiding congestion on the bridge.
“We applaud PSTA for thinking regionally and creating new ways to improve connectivity in the Tampa Bay area. This new express service will offer a convenient, reliable and sustainable link across the bridge for our 25 million annual passengers and nearly 11,000 employees, strengthening mobility and growth for both Tampa and St. Pete,” said Michael Stephens, CEO of TPA, in a press release. “I look forward to working with PSTA and continuing conversations with all of our transit partners to promote and expand these kinds of vital transportation options.”
The 727 service is part of continued investments in high-quality transit options throughout the Tampa Bay region.
“The brand is more than a logo or a bus scheme. It’s a promise to our riders, and to our region, for this new service,” said Amanda Baird, director of communications and marketing for PSTA, in a press release. “Direct, daily service between downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa International Airport has consistently been one of our most requested services from locals and visitors alike. We’re excited for this service to take flight with a brand and passenger experience that are an extension of what people have come to expect from America’s Favorite Airport.”
The buses will also include luggage racks for travelers. The 727 logo will feature the St. Petersburg skyline alongside the windsails of the Howard Frankland Bridge, symbolizing the connection between St. Petersburg and Tampa.
The 727 is expected to begin service in October.