Transit Today
Transit Services and Providers
Lakeland Area Mass Transit District dba Citrus Connection
The Lakeland Area Mass Transit District is a special taxing district created by County Ordinance and began operating in December of 1982. Citrus Connection operates twenty fixed routes in the Lakeland area with connector service to Winter Haven via Auburndale and express service to Bartow. Citrus Connection also provides complementary Americans with Disabilities Act Paratransit Services for qualified individuals. The Lakeland Area Mass Transit District is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of three City of Lakeland Commissioners and two Polk County Commissioners.
Winter Haven Area Transit
Winter Haven Area Transit operates under an interlocal agreement between the City of Winter Haven and the Polk County Board of County Commissioners and began operations in March of 1990. Winter Haven Area Transit operates six fixed routes in the Winter Haven area with connector service to Lakeland via Auburndale and express service to Bartow. Winter Haven Area Transit is governed by the Winter Haven Area Transit Policy Board consisting of two City of Winter Haven Commissioners, two Polk County Commissioners, and one Florida Department of Transportation representatives.
Polk County Transit Services
Polk County Transit Services administers transportation services for the Polk County Board of County Commissioners:
- Acts as the project manager for Winter Haven Area Transit providing complementary Americans with Disabilities Act paratransit services for qualified individuals in the Winter Haven Area Transit service area.
- Operates two rural routes serving Fort Meade and Frostproof.
- Serves as the Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) for Polk County’s transportation disadvantaged population and offers transportation services for transportation disadvantaged and qualified Medicaid recipients.
Fares and Passes
All Polk County Transit Providers have the same fare cost and transfer policy.
Cash Fares
| Adult Fare (one way only) | $1.25 |
| Children under seven | FREE with an adult |
| Students* | $1.00 |
| Senior** (65+ years of age) | $0.60 |
| Citizens with Handicaps** | $0.60 |
| Handy Bus Fare*** | $1.50 |
* For students of all ages. Citrus Connection ID required.
** These fares are available to senior citizens and disabled individuals. Citrus Connection ID required
*** ADA eligibility required. For downloadable form, click here.
Passes
31 Day Unlimited Pass
The 31 Day Unlimited pass offers unlimited rides for a 31 day period from the first use on all regular bus routes for just $37.
Weekly Pass
This pass lets you ride as often as you need for one week, seven days from date of first use, for only $9.
Student Pass
The Student Pass offers 15 one-way rides for $9.
15 Ride Senior/Disabled Pass
For seniors, 65+ years of age or those with a disability, this pass offers 15 one-way rides for $9.
20 One-way Adult Pass
Twenty rides for just $20.
How to Buy Passes…
Passes may be purchased at:
The Lakeland Terminal
6:30a.m. to 6:00p.m. Monday thru Friday
8:00a.m. to 4:30p.m. Saturday
The Winter Haven Terminal
Schedule varies; contact them at 863-534-5500 for dates and times.
The Citrus Connection Administrative Building
1248 George Jenkins Blvd., Lakeland, FL
7:00a.m. to 6:00p.m. Monday thru Friday
Online
By Mail
Citrus Connection
Bus Passes
P.O. Box 1687
Lakeland, FL 33802
Transfers
Sometimes you may need to ride two buses to reach your final destination. If so, the second half of your ride is always FREE. Just ask your first Bus Operator for your FREE bus transfer. (Hint: if you’re not sure which bus to transfer to, ask your original Bus Operator. They’ll be glad to help.)
Transfers are issued when you pay the fare and are valid wherever routes intersect. (Transfers are available to complete a one-way trip and will not work as a return-trip ticket.) Each transfer is valid for 90 minutes after issue.
Park and Ride
There are currently two park and ride facilities:
- Corner of Rose Street and Main Street, Lakeland
- Corner of Kentucky Ave and Oak Street, Lakeland
Park-and-Ride offers convenient access to the bus system, even if a route is not within walking distance of your home. There is no charge to park, just the regular fare to ride.
Bike and Ride
Every regular bus offers bike racks on board!
Now you can take your bike with you! Citrus Connection and Winter Haven Area Transit buses feature easy snap bike racks on each bus front. There’s no extra charge – just snap and go to take your bike with you. Bike racks are available on a first come, first served basis.
How to Use the Bike Rack
Bike racks hold up to three single-seat, two-wheeled bikes at at time, and are designed for bikes 16” or bigger. Always wait on the curb to load or unload your bike. As the bus approaches, have your bike ready to:
Pull down the rack (on the bus front), with one hand. If the rack is already down and another bike is in place, use the second set of wheel racks. Each bus holds two bikes, if the racks are full, wait for the next available bus.
If only one bike is being loaded, put it in the rack nearest the bus.
The bike support arm is in the down position when not in use. Swing the arm up and into the position over the front bike wheel. Make sure the support arm is resting on your bike’s tire and not on the fender or frame. A spring pulls the arm back to keep your bike secure.
Unloading
Tell the Bus Operator that you are going to remove your bike, then exit through the front door of the bus.
Remove your bike by releasing the support arm from the front tire. Then just lift it out of the rack.
If there are no other bikes on the rack, please return the rack to the upright position.
Disabled & Disadvantaged Services
Transportation Disadvantaged Program
This special program provides free or reduced-price bus passes to physically, mentally, emotionally or economically disadvantaged individuals. Call 534-5500 for eligibility requirements.
Handy Bus & Polk Access Van
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Citrus Connection’s Handy Bus (Lakeland Area) and the Polk Access Van (Winter Haven Area) offers a call ahead door-to-door service for qualified persons with disabilities who are unable to use the regular buses. For more information on this specialized service, or to see if you qualify, please call Handy Bus at(863) 688-LIFT (5438), or Polk Access Van at (863) 534-5500.
Wheelchair Lifts
Every transit bus is wheelchair lift-equipped, and all of the regular route buses are also equipped with “kneelers,” which lower the front step of the bus to make it easier to board. If you are unable to use our regular service, Handy Bus is also available (688-LIFT).
Ride Policies
Please…
DO look for an official bus stop sign. Your Citrus Connection and Winter Haven Area Transit buses stop only at these signs. (Can we put pictures of signs?)
DO please be at the bus stop at least five minutes before your bus is scheduled to arrive. To be sure you are boarding the bus you need, check the display panel on the front of the bus for the destination and route number.
DO deposit the correct fare into the fare box. See Fares and Passes. Our Bus Operators cannot make change.
DO find your seat as quickly as possible after you board. Your Bus Operator cannot drive until all passengers are safely seated.
DO take a seat toward the rear of the bus if possible. Save the seats closest to the door for the seniors or those with special needs.
DO feel free to bring a radio or CD, but please use headphones as a courtesy to your fellow passengers.
DO remain in your seat at all times during the ride. Operators, like all drivers, must sometimes stop quickly.
DO bring your parents. Children under seven must be accompanied by an adult.
DO hold small children and fold strollers for the trip. Nothing should be left in the aisles.
DO know when you’re going to get off. When the bus gets near your destination, pull the buzzer cord located above the window. Request a stop at least one block before your stop so the operator has time to react.
DO exit through the rear doors, if possible, and step carefully clear of the bus.
DO feel free to call Citrus Connection at 688-RIDE or Winter Haven Area Transit at 534-5500 with questions, comments or suggestions.
DO ride again!
Eating, drinking, and smoking on board is not permitted.
Pets are not permitted. Service animals, for the disabled, are the only animals allowed on board.
Check your belongings before you get off! We have a lost and found (call 688-RIDE) but you can’t believe what gets left behind! Unfortunately, we can’t be responsible for articles left on board.
NEVER walk in front of the bus – wait until it leaves the stop if you need to cross the street.