News of the Nature Coast of Florida

Citrus County’s revised fixed bus route is attracting more riders.

That's according to a county news release on Friday.

The pilot program to provide bus service between Inverness, Lecanto and Beverly Hills was changed in October to make “the Orange Line” - as it is named - more attractive to potential riders, and the changes in the route appear to be making the difference. The county had recently seen lagging numbers in ridership, and the cost of running the "shuttle" was called into question by the county commission and community leaders.

Now, the county says, the number of riders has more than doubled since the changes were made. Numbers are rising steadily, and last week there were 182 riders, the highest yet. The county's population is approximately 130,000 residents. Last summer, before the change in transit bus routes, there were only 40 to 60 riders a week.

One new feature of the route is the ability of the bus to carry a couple of bicycles on a specially fitted rack, and some patrons have already begun to use it.

State transportation officials have told Citrus officials they would like to see the county begin to develop a local mass transit system that could someday link to regional mass transit, and the county commission is aware that transportation funding in the future will be linked to such local programs.

“Doing it now not only provides a good, cheap service to residents, but it begins to build the bus system we eventually will need, and you can’t just do that overnight,” said Transportation Supervisor Lon Frye.

“Plus,” said county Fleet and Transportation Management Director Mike Webster, “it’s an investment in future funding for the county and will position us to be included in regional transportation connections. So it makes sense for all the reasons.”

The fare for the new route has been set at 50 cents, and there are now 23 stops. The buses have distinctive orange stripes and the bus stop signs are orange and have schedules attached. The busses operate Monday through Friday, starting at 6 a.m. and run until about 7 p.m.

The complete circuit takes about two hours. By stopping at main shopping centers coming into and going from the communities, the route is designed to help residents in Beverly Hills and Inverness make both short shopping trips, as well as get them across the county to various key areas and facilities.

To download schedules, go to the counyt's web site: www.bocc.citrus.fl.us. Click “Fleet and Transportation” under “Departments” and then click “Transportation.” Schedules will also be available at the bus stops and in county buildings.