Olivia GeorgeTourism and Transportation Reporter
I’m a business reporter covering transportation and tourism in Tampa Bay, focusing on the infrastructure and people who help keep this region moving. Born and raised in London, U.K., I’m struggling to adjust to the heat and humidity of Florida. But I’m thrilled to be here and committed to telling stories that keep power in check and amplify the voices and experiences of this community, my new home. I attended Brown University, where I won scholarships from the Overseas Press Club Foundation and Investigative Reporters and Editors. Have a question or story idea? Let’s chat. I’m here to listen and learn.
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/220b8821-bfad-49e2-9a8f-6540de18b74c.png "Olivia George - Tourism and Transportation Reporter")
![The SunRunner rapid transit line, opening in September, is expected to increase Pinellas-Suncoast Transit Authority ridership by establishing a route between downtown St. Petersburg and the beaches.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 562 316"/%3E "The SunRunner rapid transit line, opening in September, is expected to increase Pinellas-Suncoast Transit Authority ridership by establishing a route between downtown St. Petersburg and the beaches.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WT5KL3NOVZFPRBQQCGE6Z552CQ.jpg "The SunRunner rapid transit line, opening in September, is expected to increase Pinellas-Suncoast Transit Authority ridership by establishing a route between downtown St. Petersburg and the beaches.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/PCKBCVHZ45FYPH2TIMLF7PJ5T4.JPG "Fans raise flags during the Los Angeles Rams vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/76FSBNB32BFKBO3AXKQW42KB6U.jpg "Brad Miller, chief executive of Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, announcing the launch day of Tampa Bay's first bus rapid transit system, July 13, 2022. The will SunRunner will open Oct. 22, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/CYA5D3EDPRDBTLXEWAURNH7MCY.JPG "Traffic streams over the existing Howard Frankland Bridge over Old Tampa Bay on Thursday, June 30, 2022, between Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. FDOT is rebuilding the existing northbound bridge, which was originally constructed in 1959, and adding capacity to alleviate traffic congestion.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/AEAVWG66FRAADJCFG4YQMOXWFA.JPG "Tommy Del Zoppo, New Hotel Collection’s chief executive officer, says that the company’s vision for the historic Cordova Inn in downtown St. Petersburg has been “providing an affordable place that is a boutique experience for our customers but at a much more reasonable price point. We have vigilantly stayed very close to that core value.” Del Zoppo is seen here in the Cordova's lobby.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/IQ3COHMYRWDYPHMWMXVJAZRWFA.jpg "A Virgin Atlantic airplane is pictured at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, in New York. Virgin Atlantic is launching a year-round direct flight between Tampa International Airport and London’s Heathrow airport.")
![An image from the Tampa Police Department Twitter account of the buyback event at West Tampa Community Center, one of two locations in the city where participants could receive $100 for handing in a gun. [Tampa Police Department]](https://www.tampabay.com/resizer//8hWW_RN8SWAfOe6RJJxI0CQQa9A=/200x112/filters:format(webP)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/SXHOYFTF2JGQ3NUPZHJ2JJ2NMQ.jfif "An image from the Tampa Police Department Twitter account of the buyback event at West Tampa Community Center, one of two locations in the city where participants could receive $100 for handing in a gun. [Tampa Police Department]")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QH65F7KC5FFZ5BJHBWB5FRCIFU.jpg "A Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority bus stops near PSTA headquarters in St. Petersburg to pick up passengers in early 2020. The agency has received a $360,000 federal grant to study public transportation access in low-income areas that are highly reliant on public transportation, such as south St. Petersburg")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/LDK3FGDLENF7HBVGQFPXLAYHGI.jpg "Anthony Sanders, de 46 años, posa para un retrato en el balcón de su apartamento el martes 21 de junio de 2022 en Tampa. Sanders espera poder volver a trabajar la próxima semana para ganar dinero para pagar sus cuentas.")
