St. Pete Beach residents worry SunRunner is causing increase in crime

For almost a year now, the SunRunner has taken residents and tourists alike to the beach and back fast — 15 minutes during the day and 30 minutes at night. All along, it's been free to ride, but in July, concerns about the bus were brought to the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority's attention. "When I am waiting at the left turn light, and I see a gentleman get off the SunRunner who is incapacitated out of his mind, wander into the intersection and start walking in circles dodging cars and waving his hands around, we have folks who are using the SunRunner today unfortunately, that have turned it from an asset into a tremendous liability," one man said during public comment at the July 26 board meeting.