As Orange County continues to grow, local leaders and residents are renewing calls for expanded public transportation, drawing a packed crowd to a meeting in downtown Orlando this week.County officials are seeking to build support for rapid transit along six major corridors as part of a proposal known as the “Sunshine Transit Advancement Resolution,” or STAR plan. The initiative aims to secure funding for an affordable, safe and faster transit system across the county.Vice Mayor and District 5 Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad said she was encouraged by the turnout and emphasized the urgency of addressing transportation challenges tied to rapid development.”The biggest transportation issues that we see are approving developments without the infrastructure to support them,” Semrad said.The proposal is loosely modeled after a similar effort in Miami and would establish rapid transit options in six high-volume corridors. Potential improvements could include dedicated bus rapid transit lanes, as well as light or heavy rail.For riders like Mira Tanna, who depends on Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority — commonly known as LYNX — the changes cannot come soon enough.”I’m a LYNX rider, and that’s how I get around, and I think our public transit system is woefully inadequate to the need here in Orange County,” Tanna said.Commuters say inefficiencies in the current system add hours to their days. Along Colonial Drive, Henry Resto described waking up early to bike to a bus stop, hoping there is space for his bicycle on the bus.”Sometimes, it’s really hard because it only can have two bikes and you see it go by and you gotta wait for the next one,” Resto said. “You gotta wake up a little earlier, and if stuff like that happens, you gotta be ready.”Supporters say they are working to build a grassroots campaign to drum up public backing for the plan.County leaders are also considering placing a sales tax increase on the ballot later this year to help fund infrastructure improvements, including transit expansion.

ORLANDO, Fla. —

As Orange County continues to grow, local leaders and residents are renewing calls for expanded public transportation, drawing a packed crowd to a meeting in downtown Orlando this week.

County officials are seeking to build support for rapid transit along six major corridors as part of a proposal known as the “Sunshine Transit Advancement Resolution,” or STAR plan. The initiative aims to secure funding for an affordable, safe and faster transit system across the county.

Vice Mayor and District 5 Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad said she was encouraged by the turnout and emphasized the urgency of addressing transportation challenges tied to rapid development.

“The biggest transportation issues that we see are approving developments without the infrastructure to support them,” Semrad said.

The proposal is loosely modeled after a similar effort in Miami and would establish rapid transit options in six high-volume corridors. Potential improvements could include dedicated bus rapid transit lanes, as well as light or heavy rail.

For riders like Mira Tanna, who depends on Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority — commonly known as LYNX — the changes cannot come soon enough.

“I’m a LYNX rider, and that’s how I get around, and I think our public transit system is woefully inadequate to the need here in Orange County,” Tanna said.

Commuters say inefficiencies in the current system add hours to their days. Along Colonial Drive, Henry Resto described waking up early to bike to a bus stop, hoping there is space for his bicycle on the bus.

“Sometimes, it’s really hard because it only can have two bikes and you see it go by and you gotta wait for the next one,” Resto said. “You gotta wake up a little earlier, and if stuff like that happens, you gotta be ready.”

Supporters say they are working to build a grassroots campaign to drum up public backing for the plan.

County leaders are also considering placing a sales tax increase on the ballot later this year to help fund infrastructure improvements, including transit expansion.