ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County commissioners unanimously approved more than $120.7 million in annual funding agreements with LYNX on Tuesday, supporting public transportation across Central Florida as the agency considers additional service changes.
The three agreements cover the 2026-27 fiscal year, with approximately $109 million supporting countywide transit operations, $9.4 million designated for service enhancements and passenger amenities, and another $2.3 million supporting transportation around International Drive.
While the agreements renew annual funding rather than announce an entirely new investment, county leaders pointed to improvements already made and additional efforts to make public transportation more accessible.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings highlighted investments that have helped bring buses every 30 minutes to some heavily traveled routes, along with expanded connections to the Pine Hills Transfer Center.
The transfer center opened in August 2025, giving passengers a dedicated place to connect between routes rather than waiting at smaller roadside bus stops.
For Ray Stringer, who was waiting for a bus Tuesday, that investment is making a difference.
Stringer normally drives, but car trouble has left him relying on LYNX to travel between auto parts stores in hopes of getting his vehicle running again.
“This is my only means of transportation, you know, for the moment,” Stringer said.
He praised the new transfer center for making it easier and more comfortable for passengers to get around.
“Now you can actually sit down and be comfortable and even be in the shade,” he said.
Other riders who spoke with News 6 also welcomed the shaded waiting areas and additional space.
Meanwhile, LYNX is considering another round of service changes that could give some passengers more flexibility.
The proposals include more frequent Saturday bus service into the evening on certain routes serving the Pine Hills area, along with an additional late-night weekend trip connecting downtown Orlando and Rosemont.
The broader proposal also includes reductions to some existing trips and the elimination of a shuttle route.
Those changes are separate from Tuesday’s county funding approval and are not yet final. The LYNX Board is scheduled to consider them Oct. 22. If approved, the changes would take effect Dec. 13.
Stringer said continued investment in public transportation is important, particularly for families sharing vehicles, people with disabilities and anyone temporarily without a car.
“Whatever you can do to help to improve the community, you know, and the bus terminal and the bus company, you know, hey, we love the service,” Stringer said. “Just keep applying it, you know, and we’ll keep using it.”
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