SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Residents relying on public transportation in Seminole County are bracing for significant changes as LYNX prepares to halt most of its fixed-route bus services in the area.

Starting January 11, eight bus routes will be discontinued, affecting daily commutes for many passengers. The routes being eliminated include:

• • Link 34 – Serving the North U.S. 17-92/Sanford area.

• • Link 45 – Covering the Lake Mary region.

• • Link 46E – Operating along East First Street and Downtown Sanford.

• • Link 46W – Running through West SR 46 and Seminole Towne Center.

• Link 103 – N. U.S. 17-92/Seminole Center (Seminole County)

• Link 434 – S.R. 434 (Seminole County)

• NL 822 – Oviedo (Seminole County)

• NL 851 – Sanford (Seminole County)

Seminole County officials said the decision was made due to the high cost and low ridership of LYNX, according to county officials.

Penny Carr rides LYNX to get to work nearly every day and said the elimination of her route would add nearly an hour to her commute.

“It’s hurting all these people,” Carr said. “I have to get off at the SunRail train station and walk all the way down to go up to U.S. 17-92.”

Last year, the county approved Scout, which is an on-demand rideshare service, to serve as a replacement for the routes lost.

Commissioners said there is increased flexibility with Scout and it’s more cost-effective, but riders, like Sean McMurry, have complained about delays for pickup.

“You have to wait. I waited, like, an hour for a ride,” McMurry said. “Also, I ride a bike, are preparing for transportation changes as most fixed routes, and I can’t take a bike on Scout.”

According to Seminole County, Scout booked 20,000 rides in its first month late last year, which was an average of 667 trips per day.

Further information on Scout, including rates and travel zones, is available here.

For more details on the LYNX changes in Seminole County, click here.