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LYNX presents FY27 request as ridership climbs, cites ATSP frequency gains
Summary
LYNX officials asked Orange County to continue funding operations and a new iDrive planning study as FY25 ridership rose and the Accelerated Transportation Safety Program increased frequency and boardings on targeted routes.
James Boyle, chief development officer at LYNX, told the Orange County Board of County Commissioners on July 16 that LYNX’s services in the county saw sustained ridership gains in fiscal year 25 and that targeted frequency increases produced measurable increases in boardings. “It was a good year for LYNX, a good year for ridership, a good year for our customers,” Boyle said, noting roughly 18.9 million passenger trips on routes wholly or partially serving Orange County.
Boyle described the Accelerated Transportation Safety Program (ATSP), which used county funds to increase frequency on several routes — for example moving some Sunday service from 60‑minute to 30‑minute headways — and said those changes produced 30–45% increases in average ridership on affected routes. He also reported progress on passenger amenities, saying LYNX has completed 69 shelter sites, has 31 under construction and another 165 in design or permitting across commissioner districts.
Lenny Antman, LYNX’s chief financial officer, presented the agency’s FY27 operating budget request and detailed revenue and expense drivers. Antman said the FY27 operating request is $226.8 million, a 4.5% increase over the adopted FY26 budget, but that the ongoing increase excluding a one‑time $2.3 million Orange County–funded planning study for the International Drive corridor is about 3.46%. He told commissioners the agency will use stabilization and reserve funds — about $11.1 million — to balance the request and that local revenue will account for roughly three quarters of operating revenue.
Commissioners pressed LYNX staff on regional coordination after Seminole County reduced its fixed‑route service and explored microtransit alternatives. Boyle said LYNX removed more than 20 buses and reduced driver positions where Seminole pared fixed routes, and that LYNX continues to operate some routes in Seminole and to collaborate with that county on service design. Commissioners also asked whether LYNX receives tourist‑development (TDT) dollars; Antman said LYNX does not receive revenue from TDT.
The presentation closed with discussion about fare collection costs, the agency’s transition to a largely CNG fleet and ongoing testing of battery‑electric buses with a major U.S. bus manufacturer. Commissioners did not take a formal vote on LYNX’s request during this session; staff indicated the agency’s budget proposal will be included in upcoming budget adoption steps.
