Citrus Connection: Four Decades of Transit Innovation in Polk County
Citrus Connection stands as the backbone of public transportation in Polk County, consistently working to unite communities, support employment, improve quality of life and respond to the needs of a rapidly growing and changing county. Whether you are a daily commuter, a student headed to school, a person with a disability depending on paratransit or a visitor taking a shuttle into a vibrant downtown, Citrus Connection strives to provide affordable, reliable and inclusive public transit for all.
A History of Consolidation and Growth
On Dec. 2, 1982, the first district‑operated bus rolled out from the downtown Citrus Connection depot, marking the birth of what would become a county‑wide lifeline.
Originally launched under the Lakeland Area Mass Transit District (LAMTD), Citrus Connection has evolved into Polk County’s Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC), bringing fixed‑route service, paratransit, microtransit and universal access programs under one banner.
In the early years, public transit in the region was operated by three separate agencies, which often made travel confusing for riders moving between cities. The Polk Transit Authority was created in 2008 and led to the 2015 merger of LAMTD and Winter Haven Area Transit into a single countywide system operating as Citrus Connection.
In fiscal year 2016–17, fixed-route buses provided more than 1.25 million trips, with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) services accounting for tens of thousands more, supporting vulnerable residents access to medical care, education and jobs.
Today, Citrus Connection serves more than 6,000 riders each day, covering more than 7,500 miles daily across Polk County. These areas include Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Lake Wales, Haines City, Auburndale and surrounding areas.
Types of Service Offered by Citrus Connection
Citrus Connection distinguishes itself through the diversity of its transportation offerings, which go beyond traditional bus services. Its current services ensure nearly every resident, regardless of ability or location, has a transportation option that fits their needs.
Fixed-Route Bus Service
Citrus Connection operates dozens of fixed-route bus lines throughout Polk County, serving both urban and rural communities.
- West County routes primarily serve Lakeland and feature color-coded names such as the Gold Line, Blue Line, Red Line, Lemon Line, Peach Line, Purple Line and The Squeeze downtown shuttle. These routes help riders easily identify their buses and navigate the city.
- East County routes include Winter Haven, Haines City and Lake Wales, which are designated by numbers. The system includes several commuter express lines such as 16X through 21X, 27X, 40/44, Route 50, 60 and 603.
Paratransit and ADA-Accessible Services
For riders who are unable to use regular fixed-route buses, Citrus Connection offers paratransit and ADA transportation options. Offered according to the Transportation Disadvantaged Service Plan (TDSP), this service uses small, wheelchair lift-equipped buses to offer door-to-door paratransit services for those with disabilities, seniors and economically disadvantaged individuals.
Riders pay a flat one-way fare of two dollars, with copays potentially reduced through the TD program. Trips are reserved and scheduled in advance through the Regional Mobility Call Center.
Microtransit: The Squeeze Shuttle
One of the recent innovations from Citrus Connection is the launch of The Squeeze, a microtransit shuttle offering fare-free shuttle rides in downtown Lakeland, Bartow and Lake Wales.
This service uses golf‑cart style vehicles running on frequent loops (about every 10 minutes) with stops near popular destinations to help riders reach shops, work and entertainment districts quickly. The Squeeze runs Monday through Friday lunch services in all three areas, with additional Friday and Saturday service times in Lakeland.
Universal Access Partnerships
Under Universal Access agreements, institutions from Polk State College to LEGOLAND contract with Citrus Connection and allow students, faculty and employees to ride fixed‑route buses free of charge by simply showing their ID. The program has grown to include universities, schools, businesses and local governments, helping sustain high ridership and community mobility.
Citrus Connection and Polk TPO
The Polk Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) works closely with Citrus Connection to shape the future of public transit in Polk County through the development of the Transit Development Plan (TDP), a required 10-year roadmap that outlines the vision for public transportation in the community.
The TDP is updated every five years, with smaller updates each year to reflect new data, community feedback and funding changes. It is a requirement to receive funding from the Florida Public Transit Block Grant Program. The current plan, Polk Transit Vision 2032, was approved in November 2022 and outlines goals for expanding service, improving access and modernizing transit through the next decade.
Past TDP initiatives have included:
- Expansion of microtransit services like The Squeeze.
- Opening new transit hubs, such as Posner Park in Davenport, featuring east Polk express routes and extended Saturday service.
- Continued modernization, including the rollout of a smart‑card fare system (SMARTCARD) in October 2017.
Progress in Motion
As Citrus Connection approaches its 43rd anniversary, it continues to enhance accessibility, connectivity and service reliability across Polk County.
Whether you are new to Polk County, a longtime resident or an occasional visitor, Citrus Connection’s services help build a region where everyone has the freedom to move, connect and thrive. With continued investment, thoughtful planning and commitment to a seamless, inclusive transit system, Citrus Connection is set to keep Polk County moving for generations to come.
For more information or to plan your trip, visit www.ridecitrus.com or contact 855-POLKBUS (765-5287).