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LYNX Central Station Opens In Grand Style
taken from golynx.com
(Posted November 24, 2004 )
ORLANDO -- Politicians and patrons applauded the new
LYNX Central Station as "the start of a new era for transportation
in Central Florida,'' during Grand Opening Ceremonies Friday at
the downtown Orlando terminal.
LYNX Chairman of the Board and Osceola County Commissioner Atlee
Mercer and representatives from U.S. Congressman John Mica and Orlando
Mayor Buddy Dyer's offices spoke to a packed house inside the new
$29.23 million facility. The group then rode a LYNX bus through
huge banner that served as the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony.
"It's really a milestone day for Central Florida to have such
an outstanding facility to serve our transportation needs,"
Mercer said. "My goal is to make LYNX the best bus company
in the United States and this is certainly a step in that direction."
Construction of the LCS began in April of 2003 and not only was
completed on time, but finished $1 million under budget. Federal
and state tax dollars paid for 96 percent of the cost with the remaining
money, just $170,000, coming from local government.
"The need for mass transportation and a facility like this
is obvious," said LYNX executive director Linda Watson, who
emceed the Grand Opening. "We take a lot of pride in this facility
and what it will mean to the bus transportation riders in our community."
What Orlando got for its money was one of the most unique architectural
buildings in all of downtown, not to mention "the nicest bus
terminal of any city I've ever seen," 79-year-old bus patron
Toni Canada said.
"I've been riding buses all over this country since 1949 and
I've never been to a terminal where I felt safer and more comfortable
than this one," Canada said.
The LCS features and enclosed, 18,000-square foot waiting area that
is climate controlled. It also has extra wide entry and exit lanes
to allow buses to depart when ready, meaning more on-time scheduling.
LYNX set a record with over two million riders during October of
2003 and has passed that mark three times since then. While transportation
companies around the country are struggling to show even a one percent
rise in ridership, LYNX is up a resounding seven percent this year.
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