Lake County commissioner trying to save Lynx bus route

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks climbed aboard a Lynx bus Monday in an effort to keep route 204 open.

The route takes dozens of people from Clermont to Orlando every day, but now dozens of Lake County residents might not have this option of transportation.

“I have classes out at UCF, and it’s pretty much the only affordable way I can get to class,” University of Central Florida student Thomas Harris said.

The Lake County commission recently voted to cut its $168,000 annual subsidy of the route. Following this decision, Lynx officials canceled the route.

“There’s a lot of people here in Clermont that have good paying jobs in Orlando, and this helps them get to and from work,” Parks said.

Most passengers say they currently pay about $70 a month for their bus fee. Parks says most riders might be willing to pay a higher bus fare if that means keeping this bus on the road.

UCF student Carlos Perero doesn’t own a car. He spends the weekdays at school and his weekends at home. He depends on the Lynx bus for his day-to-day transportation arrangements.

“Otherwise, I can’t come see my family because they don’t have a way to pick me up over there because of the expenses of gas, tolls, all that. It’s expensive for them to go see me, so I ride the route,” Perero said.

Lynx is holding a public hearing to discuss the route’s termination on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 5 p.m. at the Clermont Community Center.

WFTV