3-minute read
Waiting for a bus shouldn’t mean risking heat stroke or being caught in a sudden thunderstorm.
But in Lakeland, most of the approximately 1,800 bus stops have little shelter, seating or shade — and no quick fix in sight.
- Constructing a single bus shelter costs approximately $22,000, according to Citrus Connection, which operates public transit in Polk County.
- A Lakeland city ordinance blocks outside advertisers from funding shelter construction, as they do in many other cities.
Safety: As Citrus Connection leadership puts it, the issue is about more than convenience — it’s about dignity and safety.
“I don’t want anyone waiting with a stroller with no shade in August,” said Tom Phillips, Citrus Connection’s general manager.
Meanwhile, Lakeland and greater Polk County are seeing hotter days and more extreme weather.
According to the Citrus Connections 2024 rider survey:
- 78% of customers use the system at least three times per week
- 47% ride five or more days a week
Standing at a bus stop in sweltering heat or an afternoon thunderstorm in Lakeland is becoming routine.
The cost: “Whether you’re building a Burger King or a bus stop, they both have to meet hurricane standards,” Phillips said.
Bus stop shelters must include:
- Hurricane-grade materials
- ADA access
- Solar lighting
- Sidewalk connectivity
Public funding isn’t enough to cover widespread improvements. In the past, some shelters have been funded through a mix of city support and private contributions, but today, costs have soared and funding remains limited.
A few locals have helped over the years: Barney and Carol Barnett are responsible for at least 5 shelters in the community, while Paula and Doc Dockery helped fund 15.
Solution off-limits: Major cities such as Atlanta, Chicago and New York have global firms such as JCDécaux that install and maintain shelters, at no cost to taxpayers, in exchange for lifetime ad space.
In Lakeland, that’s not allowed. The city’s sign ordinance prohibits ads unless they’re directly related to a business on the same property.
This means a dentist advertising outside their office is allowed but a shelter ad for a local job fair, clinic or grocery chain is not.
Missed opportunity: You may have noticed some benches around Polk county aren’t Citrus Connection’s — they’re legacy contracts with cities and counties.
“Creative Outdoor Advertising benches are allowed — but only because of a decades-old exemption not tied to us,” Phillips said.
Citrus Connection can’t make shelter or bench agreements independently. Only cities and counties can under Florida law.
Lakeland city leaders have resisted changing the sign ordinance, citing concerns about ad content and potential legal challenges.
That leaves them having to choose between maintaining tight control over ad content or having riders wait without shelter.
And Citrus Connections ridership is increasing every year, with over 870,000 riders last year.
“We’re seeing more heat, more storms, more people standing in the sun,” said Phillips. “But the ordinance won’t budge.”
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The reason there isn’t a shelter at every single bus stop in this county is because the folks who ride the bus don’t matter. They have no voice…thank you Ms Borg for giving them a voice. Very well written.
Thank you for this article. Is there anything we can do about it? I feel an even bigger issue is that busses don’t run after 6pm weekdays and not at all on Sundays. People depend on those for work, and the hours are not helpful for people who work late or on Sundays. Crazy to me.
I have lived in Lakeland for 25 yrs. I moved here from the Miami area. Shame on the city and county for not providing shelters at bus stops. The city and county commissioners brag about Polk County being the #1 growth county in the US but they are last in infrastructure. They always talk about mass transit but fall short of what is really needed. There are people who depend on the bus system to get to work. I would bet the local politicians wouldn’t want to stand in the sun or rain waiting for the bus. The county wants the proposed Fl. tri-rail to stop in Lakeland. If they can’t build shelters at the bus stops what are they going to do when you get off the tri-rail? That will be the exit to no where. With all the growth in the last 10 yrs. there should’ve been enough money set aside to build the bus shelters. This county and city needs a doge audit to see where all of our tax dollars are being spent.