LYNX Celebrates 25 Years of Moving Central Florida
Throughout the next few months the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, will celebrate the agency’s 25th anniversary and some of the many successes from the past quarter century in helping to improve transportation in Central Florida.
Beginning Wednesday June 20, LYNX will launch a celebration to commemorate the silver anniversary and to thank riders, community supporters and employees. During the next several months, bus riders will be treated to surprise giveaways and entertainment on buses, at bus stops and in the terminal at LYNX Central Station. Online trivia contests will allow the public to become engaged, share their LYNX and Central Florida knowledge and learn more about LYNX services. A special LYNX 25 anniversary bus will be launched in June as well, and special discounts and activities will be held exclusively on this commemorative vehicle.
“As we embark upon this tremendous milestone for the agency, I am excited about the hundreds of millions of miles we have traveled and the road ahead as we continue to do everything we can to provide a transit system the community can be proud of,” said Edward L. Johnson, LYNX’ chief executive officer. “With the support of our Board of Directors, local government and business leaders, we are embarking upon a new way in which we deliver transportation services in Central Florida. My goal is to well-position LYNX to be ready to make the next 25 years our most remarkable yet.”
In 1992, when a gallon of gas was $1.05 and roundtrip bus fare was less than $1.50, authority leaders made a concerted effort to rebrand the local public bus system to attract more riders. Tri-County Transit, the former name of the bus agency, became LYNX after a public renaming contest was held. Frances Morrison, an Orlando homemaker and grandmother, won the “Whatchamacallit” contest. Morrison not only unveiled the newly rebranded vehicle — a bus emblazoned with the new LYNX cat logo and painted a bright raspberry pink. More buses, in a wide range of bright hues and as a nod to an already vibrant city, would later make up the agency’s entire fleet. Known for its colorful buses and creative marketing team, LYNX would become synonymous with fun, fresh and innovative designs throughout the transit industry.
During the past 25 years, LYNX has grown to include the following services:
- ACCESS LYNX – paratransit service.
- LYMMO – downtown Orlando’s circulator. The nation’s first bus rapid transit system.
- NeighborLink – flex-service routes designed to make it easier for residents in outlying service areas.
- KnightLYNX – a partnership with UCF Student Government Association to provide safe Friday and Saturday evening service for students.
- FastLink – a weekday morning and afternoon commuter service designed to reduce stops along specific corridors providing a quicker trip.
- Xpress Bus – limited stop bus service from Downtown Kissimmee to Sand Lake SunRail Station.
- Vanpool – commuter services for which LYNX provides the vans.
- Road Rangers presented by State Farm – roadside assistance program for disabled vehicles on I-4.
