The Bay Runner, mentioned briefly in the Sarasota Insider email that hit your inbox last week, just landed on our recommendations list to anyone who asks. (Didn't get the email? Sign up
here.) It’s cool, it’s free (tip if you want), and it runs continuously from 7am to late evening daily connecting Downtown Sarasota, St. Armands Circle, and Lido Key, making all our lives just a little bit easier! And hey, if it means avoiding the downtown traffic circles on 41, sign. us. up.
WHAT IS THE BAY RUNNER SARASOTA?
Have you been out of the loop about the Bay Runner Sarasota- which apparently launched all the way back in March 2022 - because until July 2023, we were too! But we gave it a try and you should too. The Bay Runner is an open-air trolley that provides complimentary service seven days a week, with multiple stops along the way between Lido Key, St. Armands Circle, and downtown Sarasota - just check out the map below! Continuous service is provided throughout the day. The summer posted schedule starts and ends earlier than its in-season 8am-midnight availability, 7am to 10pm or 11pm depending on the day.
Bay Runner Map - Summer 2023
EASE & CONVENIENCE
If you have ever decided to not go to the beach, to dinner downtown, or for ice cream on St. Armands because of traffic or parking, consider the Bay Runner the answer to your problems. Park where it is convenient for you (for many downtown and on the keys, this may not even require moving your car!), then hop on the Bay Runner at one of its many stops. There are a host of
public parking garages near trolley stops for you to leave your car while you scoot around downtown and the nearby keys all day!
FEEL THE FLORIDA VIBE
We hopped on the Bay Runner in the first week of July, thinking perhaps an open-air trolley would just be too hot this time of year, but we were so wrong! It was breezy, not too crowded, and ended up being a very comfortable way to traverse from downtown to the Circle. Being open to the outdoors just adds to that Florida feeling: take advantage of the clear views out over the water from the Ringling Bridge while the breeze blows your hair around like you are in a convertible. You can even enjoy the sights and sounds of Sarasota while you ride, like live music coming from downtown, waves coming from the waterside, or tropical birds singing in the trees.
FOR PLAY AND WORK
It is pretty apparent how we all can use this trolley service for fun: park at dinner downtown then trolley over for a sunset beach stroll followed by some shopping on the Circle and dessert, then hop back on to grab a rooftop nightcap back in the city before heading home. But the Bay Runner's early-to-late ride time means those who work anywhere along the route can skip starting up their car and just coast on over on the trolley. Expand the access to include literally anyone who lives on or utilizes the Legacy Trail to bike to work, as the east-most stop for the Bay Runner is right by the downtown Legacy Trailhead.
HOW TO TAKE THE BAY RUNNER SARASOTA
The Bay Runner map above shows the stops, all of which are clearly marked on the street with a trolley sign, but if you are a bit more high-tech, consider downloading the app to get more information like the ETA of the next trolley and the nearest stop to you exactly where you are!
A quick PSA though, because we know we are not the only one who loves our pets like they're people: pets are not allowed on the Bay Runner, just service animals. And leave your eating and drinking for when you arrive to your destination. Your shopping acquisitions and beach gear, however, are good to go!
