Lynx (transportation)

LYNX

Founded	May 1972 (1972-05)
Headquarters	455 N Garland Avenue, Orlando, FL
Locale	Greater Orlando, USA
Service area	Orange County, Seminole County, Osceola County, Lake County, Volusia County, Polk County
Service type	Local Limited-stop Express
Routes	66[1]
Stops	4,441 [1]
Fleet	270[1]
Daily ridership	84,061[1]
Annual ridership	28.1 million (2011) [1]
Fuel type	Diesel, Biodiesel
Operator	Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority[2]
Chief executive	John M. Lewis, Jr.
Website	www.golynx.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/golynx Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JLewisGoLynx

LYNX is a bus system run by the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, serving the greater Orlando, Florida area, Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties with limited service to Lake, Volusia, and Polk counties. Bus routes are referred to as Links. The standard adult one-way fare is $2 with free single transfers valid for 90 minutes (not valid on the same Link or for round trips). LYNX runs the zero-fare LYMMO Bus (Link 31) in Downtown Orlando, connecting many downtown destinations to parking and the LYNX Central Station by controlling traffic signals on a three-mile route along a fully separate right-of-way. All LYNX buses (Links), except the LYMMO, have bike racks (2 - 3 bike capacity) for use at no extra charge.

Bus stop signs are designed with a lynx paw in place of the traditional bus stop signs, which show a bus; although, some new signs have been placed, adding the paw to the traditional sign. Also, the route numbers (Links) are usually attached to the bus stop signs.

The budget for fiscal year 2013 that began on October 1, 2012 is $115,518,832.

History

Bus stop on North Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando, Florida

The Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority was formed in May 1972 under the name Orange-Seminole-Osceola Transportation Authority. The bus service was originally named Tri-County Transit, or TCT for short. The authority changed its name in 1994 to LYNX via a public naming contest.

The agency opened LYNX Central Station in 2004 and a new operations center called LYNX Operations Center or LOC in 2007.

LYNX also opened through a partnership with the city of Kissimmee the Osceola Satellite Facility or OSF to operate their Kissimmee routes Link 4, 10, 18, 26, 55, 56, 57, and 426. Not all Kissimmee routes operate from OSF, Kissimmee Link 4 and 57 have certain trips that are based out of LOC. FASTLINK 441 is fully run out of LOC.

LYNX changed, added, and eliminated routes and schedules several times throughout its history. The service change on December 16, 2012 included new service to Haines City in Polk County.^[3] connecting to Winter Haven Area Transit also known as WHAT.

The last service change went into effect on April 21, 2013 at which time minor changes were made to time schedules and NeighborLink 621 serving the Bithlo area began service as a Fixed Route / NeighborLink service operating fixed bus service between SR 50 and SR 434 to the Bithlo Heath Center then operating as a NeighborLink service past this point to Wedgefield.

More information about LYNX links and schedules can be obtained online at golynx.com or by calling LYNX customer service at 407-841-LYNX (5969).

Fare schedule

Pennies are not accepted for fare payment and no change can be given.

Single ride fares

Passes

LYNX offers three pass types: All-Day Pass, 7-Day Pass, and 30-Day Pass

• * Discounted Fare and Pass Prices are applicable only to those who qualify under the Youth and AdvantAge Discount policy. Youth Fare applies to riders age 7 thru 18. Children age 6 and under ride free (limit 3) when accompanied by a passenger, age 18 or older. If not accompanied by an passenger age 18 or older, they must pay $1. AdvantAge Fare applies to riders age 65 or older. People with medical disabilities may also qualify, regardless of their age. To receive discounted fare, a rider must present a valid LYNX ID which may be obtained at LYNX Central Station Lost and Found office Monday thru Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. For more information about LYNX ID's contact LYNX Lost and Found at 407-841-5969 Option 2. A valid LYNX ID must be presented when paying a discount fare, buying a discounted pass and when using a discounted pass to pay a fare.

Station, Superstops, and Transfer locations

Station

LYNX Central Station is located on Garland Avenue between Livingston Street and Amelia Street. 28°32′54″N 81°22′53″W / 28.54833°N 81.38139°W / 28.54833; -81.38139Coordinates: 28°32′54″N 81°22′53″W / 28.54833°N 81.38139°W / 28.54833; -81.38139

Superstops

Transfer locations

List of routes (called Link's)

Below is a complete list of LYNX routes which are called Link's. Current as of April 21, 2013

Fixed routes

LYMMO, The FREE Downtown Orlando Circulator

LYMMO is the zero fare Downtown Orlando circulator that connects many destinations in Downtown Orlando including the Amway Center, Orlando City Hall, Lake Eola Park, the Orlando Public Library, The Orlando History Center, The Orange County Courthouse, LYNX Central Station, and Bob Carr Performing Arts Center.

Service Hours are as follows:

LYNX 3D Disney Direct routes

The LYNX 3D Disney Direct Link's are direct to Disney routes from areas throughout Central Florida that run both morning and evening trips primarily as access to public transit for Disney Employees although all LYNX Passengers can use the service.

KnightLYNX

KnightLYNX is a Friday and Saturday evening service that is safe and reliable public transportation option on and near the University of Central Florida campus. Any UCF student with a campus ID card rides the service free. Other passengers may use the service but must pay regular fare. The weekend evening service is a partnership between the UCF Student Government Association and LYNX. The service operates Friday and Saturday nights from 8pm - 3am.. It originates at the UCF Arena, runs outside campus to stops along McCulloch Road, Alafaya Trail to Waterford Lakes Town Center, and Downtown Orlando then returns to campus.

The Green and Blue lines run in circulator form from 8P to 3A.

The Red line has trips from UCF Arena to Downtown Orlando only from 9P to 11P then starting at 1A to 3A the Red line has trips from Downtown Orlando to UCF Arena only.

Xpress Link

NeighborLink

NeighborLink is a flex-service aimed to make it easier for residents in these areas to make use of both local transportation and LYNX's Local bus system. To use the NeighborLink system a passenger must call 407-244-0808 at least two hours before they want pickup.

FASTLINK

FASTLINK is a faster service designed to reduce stops along specific corridors providing a quicker trip that operates morning and afternoon commuter service Monday - Friday.

Gillig BRT 40'

Current fleet roster

• Buses 554, 579, and 809 were retired due to accidents that caused damage to their frame. Buses have since been or will be scrapped or sold to another company to be used.
  • Buses 353, 361, and 362 have been retired as of February 2013. 362 along with 504 were parts buses and will be scrapped once all parts are fully stripped from these two buses. 353, however is still on reserve and can be used at any time.
    • Buses 506 and 514 have been retired and will be auctioned off in June of 2013. [2]

Retired bus roster

• Buses 464-465, 381-394 were retired early because of high maintenance costs and unreliability. [3] [4] 381-394 was transferred to Gainesville RTS. [5] 464 and 465 are with a private company. [6]

• Buses 450-455 were retired early due to high maintenance costs. [7]

• Buses 800, 840-846 were bought used/leased in 1990.

• 516-518 are former Fayetteville Area System of Transit RTS-03s that were built in 1978. It's possible more then three of these buses were likely bought by Lynx from Fayetteville. [8],[9]

See also

• Paul Skoutelas

Notes and references

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Lynx (transportation)

• Official website
• LYNX system map