LYNX is working to lock down more than 20 acres in Osceola County for a new southern bus hub and operations center, a move that would significantly expand the agency’s presence south of downtown Orlando. Agency leaders are weighing a roughly $13.5 million land purchase for an undeveloped site that would handle bus storage, maintenance, and a transfer hub serving Kissimmee and nearby neighborhoods. The proposed southern base is pitched as a way to take pressure off the downtown Central Station, better support routes that reach southern Orange County, and cut down on long deadhead runs across the region.
Deal reported by business journal
According to the Orlando Business Journal, the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, which operates as LYNX, has a roughly $13.5 million purchase agreement in place for about 21 acres of undeveloped land in Osceola County for a future bus hub. The site is being eyed for bus layover, maintenance, and passenger transfer functions that would serve Kissimmee and the southern end of the metro area. The report notes the deal is not yet closed and still needs LYNX board approval before it can move forward.
Agency budget names southern base
LYNX’s FY2026 budget book lists land acquisition and the design of a “Southern Operations Base” among its capital projects, including facilities work, site selection, and startup costs. The capital program totals roughly $188 million, with a sizable facilities allocation that specifically references land purchase and early design for a southern base. As outlined in LYNX, securing the land is identified as a priority step before any construction.
State funding and regional growth back the plan
The Florida Department of Transportation’s FY26 to 30 adopted work program also calls out a “LYNX Southern Operations Base” and lists federal and state capital allocations that could help pay for transit facility construction and related work. That state-level backing suggests the agency could tap a mix of grants and local dollars if the land purchase is approved.
Osceola County’s rapid growth has added pressure on both roads and transit. The county’s population climbed from about 268,685 in 2010 to roughly 388,656 in 2020, according to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, making additional transit capacity a timely topic for residents who depend on the bus system.
The Orlando Business Journal reports the land deal remains contingent on LYNX board sign-off, along with standard closing steps and environmental reviews. If the agency finalizes the purchase and secures construction grants, its planning materials indicate the site could ultimately host bus bays, maintenance shops, and administrative space to bolster operations in the southern part of the service area…