Local

Osceola County get one updated, one new Lynx route

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — A lack of transportation is one factor behind a disturbing trend in Osceola County, Channel 9's Nancy Alvarez has learned.

Right now, only 41 percent of high school seniors in Osceola County go on to college, a number that lags behind the rest of central Florida and the rest of the state.

For Valencia College sophomore Jackie White, college almost didn't happen because she lives in Buenaventura Lakes with no car.

And because of conflicting schedules, no one was able to give White a ride to campus.

"Did you consider just not going to school because of the transportation issue?" asked Alvarez.

"It crossed my mind, because getting a taxi, I don't have the funds for that," said White.

This week, the county and Lynx took a step to improve the transportation gap by expanding one route. A brand-new route will give residents in Buenaventura Lakes easier access to Osceola's Valencia campus and the county's technical school.

The buses will also run two and a half hours longer at night, to coincide with the end of classes.

Lynx Routes: NeighborLink 631/Buena Ventura Lakes | NeighborLink 632/North Kissimmee