Disney to fund local bus agency

Leah Zanolla | Posted: Apr 24, 2008 | Updated: Oct 19, 2014 - 9:25:27 AM

Disney is providing funding for Lynx, the Orlando public bus service company.

The agreement which was made between Disney, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)and the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority will provide $7.36 million to Lynx over the next five years.

Lynx chief executive officer Linda Watson stated "This five-year agreement gives us the resources to expand our services for Central Floridians and the 50 million annual visitors to our area who rely on Lynx to get to work or play every day."

Among the plans are service to new routes and more frequent service on current routes. Lynx is popular among area workers, including the 62,000 Disney employees.

According to the terms of the agreement, $4.86 million that Disney pays to the FDOT for the increase in traffic resulting from development will be provided to Lynx. Additionally, Disney will pay an annual grant of $250,000 with the federal Job Access Reverse Commute Grant matching that total.

Walt Disney World vice president of operations Mark Rucker commented "We recognize that accommodating transportation needs in our community is not the sole responsibility of government and we're pleased to participate."