POLK COUNTY, Fla. -- The partial federal government shutdown is affecting city buses across the nation.

  • Citrus Connection hit hard by partial government shutdown
  • Agency says it's running out of money
  • Officials are working on a plan if the shutdown continues

Citrus Connection in Polk County says it’s running low on cash because of it.

The public transit service receives 50 percent of its funding from the federal government. With the partial government shutdown, Citrus Connection is now having to dig deep into its cash reserves.  Its executive director said those cash reserves will run out by March 28 if it continues to run as normal and the government shutdown continues.

"Thank God we have the savings that we’re able to live off of through these times," said Tom Phillips, Citrus Connection executive director. "It’s just, I don’t think anyone thought it was going to be this long."

The agency has no way to access its funds from the Federal Transit Administration. The news has made its 187 employees anxious.

"We’re at a standstill because we don’t know if we’re going to get paid or when we’re going to get paid or if our pay is going to be cut," said Dawn Chevalier, Citrus Connection’s terminal security officer.

She and her husband work for Citrus Connection. They just bought their first house in December and said they can’t afford to miss their paychecks.

"We still have our truck payment to make, we have other bills," Chevalier said. "We bought brand new furniture. We just bought a brand new house. We’re happy. Now come to find out [this] … now we’re worried."

Riders expressed concern too. The majority ride the bus to get to work.

"I ride it every day, Monday through Friday. Like every day. I really need it," said Najda Clark, who lives in Bartow and works in Lakeland.

Riders and bus drivers had a lot to say to Congress and President Donald Trump.

"I feel like they need to get it together," Clark said. "From my understanding, it’s over building a wall and I feel like that can wait."

If the government is still shut down, Phillips said the agency will present a plan to its board of directors on February 13.

"Right now the option that we’re looking at the strongest is furloughing administrative employees to free up cash to allow the system operate as it is for as long as possible," Phillips said.

Phillips said they are also looking at cutting routes or taking out a loan, that’s if the government is still shut down after February 13.