The board that oversees the Citrus Connection is in a financial dispute with Polk County government that the transit system says could jeopardize its financial stability. The Lakeland Area Mass Transit District board is demanding that the county pay an overdue $382,000 bill within 15 days. County officials have withheld payment because they want the transit district to stop billing for its accrued pension liability under the state retirement system. While the head of the Citrus Connection says they’ll find a way to continue bus service to the county for now, the agency’s finance director says state and federal grants will be jeopardized without the matching funds.

Reroute 2020, a new system of bus routes for Lakeland, will be implemented Oct. 1 after the plan was approved Wednesday by the board overseeing the Citrus Connection transit service. During a two-month test, response from riders was overwhelmingly positive, board members were told.
LEARN MORE: Proposal details | Promotional video | Video: Citrus Connection’s director describes the changes

Constant traffic on two-lane West Pipkin Road between Florida Avenue and Harden Boulevard is already a burden, those who live there say; they are speaking with county commissioners today to seek relief in the face of new housing developments and large employers that will add more trips to the busy road.