Star Metro reviews existing transit routes for future expansion plans

The Board of County Commissioners Workshop on the Southside Action Plan held on February 25, 2025, focused on enhancing public transit options in Leon County, Florida. A key discussion point was the collaboration with Star Metro, the local transit agency, regarding potential improvements to existing bus routes and future expansions.

Star Metro representatives emphasized their current priority is to optimize existing routes rather than expand them immediately. They outlined a systematic approach for any future route expansions, which includes evaluating the closest existing routes and analyzing ridership data. For instance, if a new route to Woodville is considered, they would assess the ridership of the nearest route and examine the population density and intensity of the areas that would be served.

The analysis would also consider connections to employment and activity centers, which are crucial for determining potential ridership. Star Metro would calculate the startup and ongoing operational costs associated with any proposed route, ultimately deciding on the feasibility of the expansion based on these factors.

This discussion highlights the county's commitment to improving public transit and ensuring that any future developments are data-driven and aligned with community needs. The next steps will involve continued collaboration with Star Metro to refine transit strategies that support the Southside Action Plan.