Good news, travelers: you no longer have to schedule a $45 rideshare just to catch your next flight out of Tampa. Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) just announced that it is launching an express bus service from Downtown St. Pete to Tampa International Airport (TPA), with one-way fares only running $2.25. And you won’t need to tip or make awkward conversation.
PSTA’s “727 Airport Express” service is set to officially launch on Sunday, October 4, and will then operate seven days a week, providing service to and from the airport. Once live, the premium route will be by far the cheapest way to get to and from TPA, and the downtown stops will allow it to connect to all of Pinellas County through the SunRunner and PSTA’s county-wide routes.
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The new route will run from 5 am to 11 pm every day, with pickup/dropoff at each station occurring every 75 minutes. The 727 Airport Express will have around nine stops in the Downtown and St. Pete Pier area, with one stop at TPA. Like all PSTA routes, the Flamingo Fares app and credit and debit card tap-to-pay will be available, and all UPASS member discounts will apply. Plus, the premium buses will be outfitted with extra luggage racks, so there’s plenty of room for your carry-on.
Quick service with no stress
Here’s the other great part: not only is the 727 Airport Express cheap and convenient, but it’s also just as fast as driving or booking a rideshare service. The bus will use the new Howard Frankland express lanes, allowing it to skip past traffic and stay efficient in its timing. Add that to TPA’s speedy security lines and you’ll be at the gate in no time.
In fact, you don’t even have to be catching a flight. If you just want a cheap way to get to Tampa and back, you’re in great shape. Just make sure you finish your day by the last ride home. You can get the $2.25 ride to TPA and then transfer to HART (Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority) routes that can transport you to places like International Plaza or Downtown Tampa. Take the 30 bucks (minimum) you’re saving each way and buy yourself something nice. You deserve it.
“This is more than a new route. It’s a transformational investment in how our region moves,” said Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer of PSTA. “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.”
The news is a boon for transportation in the area, and it comes ahead of the re-launch of the Tampa Bay ferry service. Before long, you’ll never have to get behind the wheel again when you’re headed to Tampa.
PSTA anticipates the route will be particularly helpful for airport workforce access as the service offers an alternative to travel by car. The impact will spread well beyond just travelers in and out of the airport, as it will greatly improve mobility between major tourism, employment and activity centers throughout Tampa Bay.
Learn more and keep up with the 727 Airport Express at psta.net/727.
