PSTA Transit Vehicles (Active Revenue Service)

Page 2: 2016 – 2020 Models

Page was last updated on 07/19/2025.

The wheels keep turning…

Welcome to the PSTA Active Vehicles page. Here, I will showcase photos of the various vehicles that PSTA currently operates in its fleet. If you’d like to make a contribution, please feel free to contact me.

  1. Major Updates
  2. 2016 through 2019 Gillig Low Floor Hybrid
  3. 2018 Champion Defender
  4. 2018 & 2020 BYD K9S Battery Electric
  5. 2020 Hometown Manufacturing Streetcar
2015 & Older Units
2021 & Newer Units

Major Updates

As of 07/19/2025

Due to recent fleet retirements, the 2005, 2006, & 2008 Gillig Low Floor Diesel subsections have moved to the Retired Transit Vehicles Page.

Additionally, to better accommodate incoming photos of the 2023, 2024, & 2025 units, I’ve created a new third active fleet page to house photos of buses from the 2021-series SunRunner units & newer. The previously created second page will now only house photos of buses produced between 2016 & 2020 – including the Hometown Manufacturing trolley replicas.

# 16106 in Downtown Tampa.

2016 through 2019 Gillig Low Floor Hybrid

40′ & 35′

2016 40′ – #’s 16101 through 16107
2017 35′ – #’s 17101 through 17103
2018 35′ – #’s 18101 through 18109
2019 35′ – #’s 19101 through 19109

For the 2016 40′ Gillig Low Floor diesel/electric hybrid order, PSTA made some significant changes from that of the previous hybrid bus orders:

  1. The hybrid system was changed from Allison to BAE Systems. The buses would therefore employ BAE’s HybriDrive Series E hybrid system – which provides a much smoother & quieter ride than the Allison hybrids do. There are even features available (particularly with BAE’s extended range system) by which the bus essentially runs on battery power until they become low. The small diesel engine, then kicks in to help recharge the batteries.
  2. While PSTA kept the BRT styling intact on the front end of each bus, the standard rear end was chosen instead of the curved BRT style rear. Additionally, the roof faring that helps cover the batteries has also changed.
  3. While the interior seating configuration remains the same as the 2012 through 2015 hybrids, a different seat cushion pattern was chosen. On some buses, some seats were removed to make way for luggage racks so that they could be used on express routes.

The overall design changes listed above would be carried over for the 2017 through 2019 Gillig orders. In terms of seating layout, the 2017 through 2019 orders posses a similar layout to that of the 2009 & 2010 orders. However, the seat type has changed over to American Seating’s InSight Prime product line. These seats provide a sleek, ergonomic alternative to the bucket seats used on the older buses & also allow for easier cleaning since the seat surface is completely plastic. While I did not like all plastic transit seats at first, I’ve since gotten used to them.

The upcoming 2025/26 order of nine 35′ hybrid buses will likely be spec’d similarly to the 2018 & 2019 models.

# 16101 at Gateway Mall.
# 16101 at the HART Marion Transit Center with the “Airport Express” re-branding wrap for the 300X.
Front shot of # 16101.
And another angle of # 16101, this time at the TPA Airport Bus Hub.
Inside # 16101. This, along with sisters 16103 & 16106 have had some seating removed to make way for luggage racks.
Close up of the luggage racks.
# 16102 makes its maiden revenue voyage on Route 52.
And later, she winds up on Route 59.
Closeup of # 16102.
Side-rear angle of # 16102.
Another rear-side angle.
Another angle of # 16102.
# 16103 at Grand Central.
And here she is at the Tampa International Airport Bus Hub, where she is a regular on the re-branded 300X. Credit: Carlos A.
Close-up shot. Credit: Carlos A.
Side shot. Credit: Carlos A.
Another side shot. Credit: Carlos A.
Rear shot.
Just because # 16101, 3, & 6 are 300X regulars does not mean they won’t wind up on other routes. Here it is on Route 4.
# 16104 on Route 59.
Another front angle of # 16104 as it lays over at Indian Rocks Beach.
Side shot of # 16104.
Closeup of the roof faring that covers the hybrid drive components – including the batteries. These buses are basically fully electric, but they require a small diesel engine to keep the battery charge stable.
Rear of # 16104.
Interior of # 16104.
Here she is at the Pinellas Park Transit Center with the “Modern Transit” wrap.
And here she is at the 34th St N Transfer Center.
# 16105 with the 2018 Pride wrap at Tyrone Square Mall.
# 16106 at Gateway Mall.
Next, it goes to the 59.
And finally, the 300X. Note: This was prior to the route’s redesign by which service to Tampa International Airport commenced.
Front shot of # 16106 at the HART Marion Transit Center. Credit: Carlos A.
Passenger side shot. Credit: Carlos A.
Close-up. Credit: Carlos A.
Driver side shot. Credit: Carlos A.
Another angle. Credit: Carlos A.
Rear shot. Credit: Carlos A.
# 16107 on Route 100X.
And here she is on Route 34, where she is a weekday & Saturday regular.
The 17100s all in a row at the PSTA Facility.
Interior of # 17101.
# 17101 on layover at Gateway Mall, running the 58.
Front shot of # 17101.
Mid-morning shot of # 17101 on the 58.
# 17102 on layover at Gateway Mall, where it’s now a regular on the 100X.
# 17103 at Gateway Mall.
And here it is at Tyrone Square Mall.
Same hub, different day.
Finally, it winds up at the HART Marion Transit Center, where it is now a regular on the 100X.
# 18101 at the 34th St N Transfer Center.
Front-side shot.
Another front-side shot.
Rear-side shot.
Rear shot.
Side shot.
Here she is on Route 9, Gateway Mall.
And off she goes!
Freshly repainted # 18101 rolls past Tyrone Square Mall on Route 68.
# 18102 at Gateway Mall.
Here she is on the 74.
# 18103 after I exited at one of the Carillon stops.
And here she is leaving Pinellas Park Transit Center.
And later, she winds up at Tyrone Square Mall, running the 23.
# 18104 at Gateway Mall.
Same bus, different shot, different day.
And here she is with the 2019 Pride wrap.
Rear shot.
Repainted # 18104 travels up 28th St N to return to the garage.
Front shot.
Here she is on Route 11, Pinellas Park Transit Center.
Front shot of # 18105 at Gateway Mall.
Front-passenger side shot.
Rear-passenger side shot.
Rear shot.
Rear-driver side shot.
Driver side shot.
Front-driver side shot.
Here she is leaving Tyrone Square Mall on Route 20.
# 18106 leaving Pinellas Park Transit Center.
And later, she winds up at Tyrone Square Mall, running the 62.
Here she is at Gateway Mall.
And here she is on the 2019 Pride shuttle.
Repainted # 18106 in Downtown St. Pete. Credit: kpropel.
# 18107 basks in the sunrise at Pinellas Park Transit Center.
Here she is leaving Tyrone Square Mall on Route 62.
And here she is on the 2019 Pride shuttle.
Repainted # 18107 on Route 9. Credit: kpropel.
# 18108 deadheading back to the garage.
Here she is subbing on the Central Ave Trolley.
And later, she winds up on Route 7.
And here she is on the 2019 Pride shuttle.
# 18109 on the 2019 Pride shuttle.
# 19101 on Route 23.
Here she is on Route 74.
And here she is on the 2019 Pride shuttle.
And speaking of St. Pete Pride, here she is on Route 9 – decoratively wrapped up for the 2021 events!
Rear shot.
# 19102 at Pinellas Park Transit Center.
And here she is at Gateway Mall with my friend Rhonda driving.
And there she goes!
Later, she winds up on Route 62 at Tyrone Square Mall.
# 19103.
And here she is leaving Gateway Mall.
# 19104 front shot.
Side-front shot.
Side shot.
Rear-side shot.
Rear shot.
Different shot at Pinellas Park Transit Center.
Here she is at the 34th St N Transfer Center.
Repainted # 19104 on Route 32. Credit: kpropel.
# 19106 at Pinellas Park Transit Center.
# 19107 at Gateway Mall.
# 19108 at the 34th St N Transfer Center.
# 19109 at the 34th St N Transfer Center.
# 19109 sporting the 2023 Pride wrap.
Freshly repainted # 19109 enters Pinellas Park Transit Center.
# 1807 at Westfield Countyside

2018 Champion Defender

27′ Diesel-powered cutaway van on a Freightliner M2 chassis

#’s 1801 through 1808

In 2017, PSTA ordered eight 27′ Freightliner Defender cutaway vans to replace the 2012 27′ Ford E-450 vans that were retired out of the fleet after only three years of service. The latter was retired early due to manufacturer defects of some sort.

While the new vans are currently used for the 800-series van routes (formerly known as the North County Connector), they aren’t uniquely branded, so they can be used for any other shuttle service or very low ridership route that PSTA desires to use them on if needed. Each van is equipped with the same features that you’d expect to see on a regular transit bus – including the Clever Devices system for real-time vehicle tracking.

To help distinguish the vans from the mainline bus fleet, four-digit fleet numbering is used.

# 1803 entering the Westfield Countryside Mall parking lot.
And here she is at the SR 580 @ Summerdale stop, loading customers.
And off she goes!
Rear shot as she leaves.
Here’s @ 1802 at the HART Northwest Transfer Center.
And # 1804.
Different angle of # 1804.
Different angle of # 1804.
Different angle of # 1804.
Different angle of # 1804.
Here’s # 1805 on recovery at the mall.
Inside # 1805.
And here’s # 1807 at HART NWTC.
# 18110 in Downtown St. Pete.

2018 & 2020 BYD K9S Battery Electric

35′

2018 – #’s 18110 & 18111
2020 – #’s 20110 through 20113

In 2015, PSTA began exploring the possibility of adding battery electric buses to its fleet. After spending two years researching the benefits of battery electric buses, as well as demoing several types – the agency signed a six year contract with Build Your Dreams (BYD). Founded in China, BYD has been quickly expanding its battery electric vehicle business to both the US & Europe, with over a dozen US transit agencies already having buses in revenue service.

PSTA placed its initial order for two buses in 2017 for trial service on the Downtown St. Petersburg Looper trolley. The buses were manufactured & delivered in 2018, with eLooper service commencing in 2019. While the trial was considered a success, the agency determined that it would be more reliable to keep the Looper service operating with only trolley replica vehicles for the time being. The buses were then re-wrapped & re-deployed to Route 59 for further testing, with occasional assignments to Route 4.

Despite reliability issues with BYD’s 60′ K11M buses in Albuquerque, NM & Indianapolis, IN, PSTA has been largely satisfied with its 35′ K9S vehicles. In 2019, the agency ordered four more K9S buses – which went into service in mid 2021. All six buses today rotate during the week alongside the Gillig diesel & hybrid buses on Route 11 – sporting new wraps. In many circumstances, Route 11 operates all four of its bus slots with the BYDs.

The 2018 BYDs are numbered 18110 & 18111 respectively as a continuation of the mainline bus fleet numbering after Gillig Low Floor Hybrids 18101 through 18109. The 2020 models are numbered 20110 through 20113 & were supposed to continue from the numbering that was to be reserved for the nine Gillig BRT Plus hybrids for the SunRunner BRT line. However, due to Covid-19 related production issues (along with other project related pushbacks), the latter order was delayed to 2021 – prompting a change in its fleet numbering. Despite this, the fleet numbering for the 2020 BYDs remain unchanged.

As of 04/01/2024, # 18110 has been repainted in the 2023 livery. The remainder of the buses will follow as they go in for extensive maintenance cycles.

Operator’s area of # 18110.
Looking at towards the front of the bus while inside.
Seating layout.
And here’s # 18110 on a different day, approaching the stop on 1st Ave S by 3rd Ave S.
# 18111 arriving at Largo Mall, Route 59.
And here she is on Route 11, sporting her new wrap!
20110.
# 20111.
# 20112.
20113.
Unknown BYD making its way north on Route 11.
# 18111 leaving Grand Central Station.
Freshly repainted # 18110 at the 34th St N Transfer Center, running Route 52LX. Credit: Logan R.
Rear view of # 18110. Credit: Logan R.
# 2017 on display during the 2021 Halloween on Central event.

2020 Hometown Manufacturing Streetcar

35′ Diesel-powered replica trolley

#’s 2001 through 2020

In 2018, PSTA began exploring replacement vehicles for its aging 2007, 2008, & 2009 Gillig Low Floor replica trolleys. Years of wear & tear caused by heavy tourist route usage & road construction have taken their toll on the Gillig vehicles – so much to the point to where mainstay buses often substituted in because there were no able trolley replicas available for service.

Rather than go with another split year order as PSTA did in the past with its trolley replica bus purchases, the agency decided to go with a single order of twenty vehicles to provide replacements to the sixteen Gillig buses & provide for four added spares if needed. The agency also decided to go with a different manufacturer – Hometown Manufacturing. Hometown Manufacturing was founded in 1975 (though its roots go back to the early 1900s) & is currently based in Crandon, WI. While the company has long prided itself on its trolley replica vehicles, the company has embarked on manufacturing modern mainstay transit buses. It is very likely that PSTA went with HM instead of Gillig for this order because the Clearwater Jolley Trolley & the Downtown St. Pete Looper – which PSTA supports – both use similar HM made vehicles (namely the Mainstreet & Villager models).

HM’s replica trolleys are hand-crafted & contain many of the same features that the Gillig replica trolleys posses, though the HM trolley windows are more attuned to what a traditional tram/streetcar would have looked like (similar to how Optima & Supreme Corp vehicles looked). The exteriors contain LED headsigns & lighting, while the interiors contain wooden bench seating & other wooden aesthetics. Interior LCD screens provide customer information, such as next stops.

Like the Gillig replica trolley fleet, the HM replica trolleys are numbered differently from the mainstay bus fleet – using a four-digit sequence (the Gillig trolleys used a three-digit sequence).

A line of trolley replicas at the PSTA Complex. Credit: Hometown Manufacturing.
# 2008 at the St. Pete Beach County Beach Access Parking Lot.
# 2010 on the Central Ave Trolley (CAT).
Rear of # 2010.
2011 at Grand Central Station.
Interior of # 2017.
Interior LCD screens show customer information, such as next stops.
The dashboard area. Notice the digital display?
# 2019. Credit: kpropel.
2015 & Older Units
2021 & Newer Units
PSTA Vehicle Fleet Landing Page
PSTA Main Page