A pilot bus program designed to help Immokalee neighbors access groceries will end after just one month of operation due to extremely low ridership.
The Immokalee to Ave Maria Express route launched Oct. 31 as a response to the community’s grocery access crisis following the closure of Winn-Dixie, which was the area’s only full-service grocery store. The weekend service was intended to transport people to Publix in Ave Maria at no cost.
Collier County ends Immokalee-Ave Maria grocery bus route after low ridership
The program faced immediate challenges.
“There was a miscommunication with my staff on the beginning the first weekend, they didn’t run the route from the parking lot,” said Commissioner Bill McDaniel…