The Bay Runner trolley—which will offer complimentary service between downtown Sarasota, St. Armands Circle and Lido Beach—will start up on Wednesday, March 2, at 8 a.m.

The free, open-air trolley service will operate between downtown and the barrier islands with 12 pre-determined stops approximately two to three blocks apart in pedestrian areas along Main Street, St. Armands Circle and Lido Pavilion. The trolley endpoints will be Main Street/School Avenue and Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach. The route map is available here; an additional stop will be added near Golden Gate Point when the U.S 41-Gulfstream Avenue roundabout is completed.

Hours of operation and headway times for the complimentary service will be 8 a.m.-midnight, seven days a week, including holidays, with 20-minute headway time during peak hours and 30-minute during off-peak hours

The transit schedule will be monitored and modified as necessary to provide efficient service. The Bay Runner can carry 28 passengers and is equipped with a wheelchair boarding lift. It was approved by the City Commission to help alleviate traffic congestion between downtown Sarasota and the barrier islands.

The Sarasota Bay Runner app will track real-time information, including approximate arrival times and will be available via the Apple App Store, Google Play and the trolley's website.