Carpooling from Polk County to Tampa or Orlando is about to get a lot easier, along with riding the bus in Lakeland.

  • New Citrus Connection park and ride
  • Allows for easy transfer, carpooling to Orlando, Tampa
  • Will also have charging stations for electric vehicles

Starting in June, Citrus Connection bus riders will be able to transfer buses on Lakeland’s north side, near the intersection of US Highway 98 and I-4.

Currently, many riders on the city’s north side have to take the bus to downtown Lakeland just to transfer to another north side Lakeland route.

Several bus riders were pleased to hear about the new bus transferring facility.

“That’ll be a lot better. That will be a lot nicer. Everyone will be able to get around a lot faster,” said Ryan Anthony, who frequently rides the bus.  

The facility will also have 50 free parking spaces for people who commute to Tampa or Orlando, and a charging station for people who drive electric vehicles.

“What’s unique about this park and ride is that this is going to be the only one in the state that has a vehicle charging station,” said Erin Killebrew, director of Government Affairs and Community Relations for Citrus Connection.

The facility is being named after Gow Fields, Lakeland’s first elected African-American mayor. He also served on the Lakeland Area Mass Transit District Board of Directors for nearly two decades.

“I’m surprised. I did not expect that, certainly not at this point. But humbled by it none the less,” said former Mayor Gow Fields.

Long term, the Lakeland Area Mass Transit District, which operates as Citrus Connection, is working to have national bus lines pick up passengers at the new park and ride lot.

“We’re hoping to bring some bigger buses in, like Greyhound. We’re in talks with Megabus. That would ultimately be a transfer point to Orlando, Tampa or Miami,” Killebrew said.

Citrus Connection is also looking for funding to be able to provide shuttles to Tampa's airport and VA hospital, leaving from the new park and ride facility. 

The project was funded through a  $750,000 grant from the Florida Department of Transportation.