March 3, 2026 | Posted In Bus Rapid Transit / Rail, Bus Stop and Transit Shelters
Tolar Manufacturing Supports PSTA’s Spark Service with Solar-Powered Transit Amenities
Corona, CA — Tolar Manufacturing Company, North America’s leader in transit shelter and street furniture design, is supporting the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority’s (PSTA) Spark service with solar-powered amenities that match the ambition of its all-electric fleet. Launched as a new era of zero-emission transit, Spark features all-electric buses and upgraded stops designed to deliver faster, cleaner, and more connected service, bringing South St. Petersburg closer to the center of the region’s economic and cultural growth. Tolar’s Signature Sunset EcoShade Monopole Transit Shelter and Solar Lit Totem Signs provide off-grid power, real-time information, and enhanced rider comfort—demonstrating how clean vehicles and clean infrastructure work together.
“Tolar stands ready to partner with agencies pursuing next-generation transit stops that match the ambition of their zero-emission fleets,” said Scott Williams, Business Development Manager at Tolar Manufacturing Company. “Spark demonstrates how clean vehicles and clean infrastructure can work together. Our totems, E-paper real time passenger information signs, and EcoShade shelters support an improved rider experience that advances sustainability goals and reinforces community identity.”
Tolar’s EcoShade bus shelter provides seating and shade at stops with limited space. The shelter is built featuring a protective radius roof and seating for two. RMS80F solar lighting is powered by 80W roof-mounted panels with integrated battery storage, providing five days of autonomous operation, with lighting from dusk-to-dawn. Tolar also provided 8′ Solar Lit Totem Signs featuring a narrow blade design with a nominal footprint, with an integrated solar lighting system, and “Spark Bus” branding and metal logo plate signage, along with EPS13 battery powered e-paper real time passenger information signs that provide riders with up to the second bus arrival information.
PSTA’s Spark service highlights how thoughtfully designed street-level infrastructure can enhance electric powered transit operations while creating safer, more welcoming environments for riders. These investments illustrate the evolving demands placed on transit shelters and street-level amenities, which must now deliver power, information, and comfort while aligning with sustainability objectives. By integrating solar-powered amenities directly into transit stops, agencies can extend service capabilities while reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.
