Lynx Gets Federal Grant to Replace Buses for Elderly, Disabled
Monday, July 23, 2012
By: Matthew Peddie

Central Florida's Lynx mass transit system received a share of the latest round of Federal funding announced Monday for transportation repair and upgrades throughout the US. Lynx will use the money to replace shuttle buses for elderly passengers.

Included in the $787 million for transit projects across the US, The Department of Transportation gave Lynx $3.36 million to upgrade specialized buses it uses for the elderly and disabled, including passengers in wheelchairs.

Lynx Paratransit Operations Manager Bill Hearndon says the extra funding will pay for up to 42 new vehicles.

“This additional kick of funding will allow us to reallocate some of that funding that was originally for paratransit vehicles, to be used for fixed route buses or articulated buses.” 

Hearndon says that doesn’t mean the paratransit fleet, which caters to riders who can't use regular buses will expand, because those shuttle buses have to be replaced every five years.

He says Lynx is able to cover growing demand for paratransit service using other federal funds.

Lynx media relations director Matt Friedman says while the additional funding for the specialized vehicles does free up capital to buy other buses, the board of directors is yet to decide what to spend it on.

In May WMFE reported on the transportation needs of seniors in Central Florida and the challenges to meeting that growing demand. You can find a link to that story here.