Polk County bus riders will soon have more evening options, as Citrus Connection plans to extend service by three hours on the system’s five most popular routes.
Citrus Connection was recently awarded a $1.1 million grant by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to fund an Extended Service Pilot Program. The initiative will span the next two years and will directly meet demands from workers, families and students.
Community asked, service delivered
A 2024 survey found almost 65% of riders ranked adding three or more hours of evening service as their top priority, according to Tom Phillips, Citrus Connection’s executive director.
This corresponds with findings from the United Community Needs Assessment by United Way of Central Florida and GiveWell Community Foundation — which found that transportation barriers are a major challenge for low-income residents trying to reach jobs, healthcare and essential services.
Five routes, a majority of riders
Five key routes will feature extended hours (as late as 10pm):
- Gold Line (U.S. 98 N – Lakeland business corridor)
- Blue Line 2 (S. Florida Avenue – Lakeland)
- Route 30 (Winter Haven to LEGOLAND)
- Route 15 (Lake Alfred to Haines City)
- Purple Line (Lakeland – Winter Haven connector)
Together these routes account for more than 50% of system ridership, which according to Phillips makes the pilot especially meaningful…