The service is expected to launch next summer.

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority has nine new buses ready to deploy when its new bus rapid transit route launches next summer, the agency announced Sunday.

The SunRunner buses are expected to hit the streets in 2022 along the currently under construction BRT route connecting downtown St. Petersburg to the Gulf beaches.

The nine new buses are 40-foot hybrid-electric manufactured by GILLIG and feature artwork by Chad Mize as well as the iconic yellow “Mr. Sun” image on the outside of the light turquoise buses.

The route will run in a dedicated lane along First Avenues North and South with pickups running every 15 minutes at stops along the route during the day with 30 minute frequency in the evening. The buses also include on-board space for bicycles.

The route is meant to provide a quicker alternative between downtown and the beaches with fewer stops than the existing Central Ave. Beach Trolley.

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