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LINX proposes $222.8 million operating budget; plans 80 CNG buses and southern operations base
Summary
LYNX (Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority) sought a $222.8 million operating budget for FY2026, with capital plans that include 80 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, a southern operations base and expanded passenger amenities funded in part by Orange County’s ATSP program.
LYNX leadership presented the transit agency’s FY2026 operating and capital proposal to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners on July 17. Leonard Antman, LYNX chief financial officer, said the proposed operating budget is $222.8 million — a 5.5% increase over FY2025 — driven primarily by wages, pension costs and a projected increase in purchased transportation trips.
Antman said LYNX expects to use $6.8 million in federal preventive‑maintenance funding and relying on local partner contributions under the regional funding model for core operating revenue. He told commissioners that 78% of the system’s operating budget is labor‑related (salaries, wages and purchased transportation). The agency plans to use elevated partner contributions to normalize revenue after multi‑year pandemic impacts drew on stabilization funds.
On capital, LYNX requested roughly $188 million for FY2026, most of it federal funding. Major capital items include a planned procurement of CNG buses (80 units, with 55 already ordered and arriving in FY2026 and 25 more planned), roof and HVAC work at operations facilities and a southern operations base site acquisition and design. LYNX also requested county partner funding for life‑cycle vehicle replacements, shelter installation under Orange County’s Accelerated Transportation Safety Plan (ATSP) and design funds for real‑time signage at major stops.
Antman flagged one regional development: Seminole County expects to reduce its operating contribution in FY2026 and to shift service models (including micro‑transit). LYNX forecasted the partner contribution model will leave Orange and Osceola counties with a larger share of fixed administrative and overhead costs if Seminole reduces service; LYNX said it has frozen 20 administrative positions to mitigate near‑term impacts.
Commissioners asked about paratransit service (Access LYNX), which has grown significantly and which the speakers said was affected by state changes to Medicaid transportation contracting. Antman said the region provides a higher level of paratransit service than most Florida counties and that paratransit costs and demand remain a pressure point.
The proposed LYNX operating and capital request will be included in the county’s FY2026 partner funding requests and considered by the board as part of the full budget.
