ORLANDO, Fla. – A new transportation hub promises to make traveling easier for passengers who depend on LYNX buses to get around Orange County.
The Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX) will start service Sunday at its new Pine Hills Transfer Center.
Located near the intersection of Silver Star and Pine Hills roads off Belco Drive, the new station will reduce the need for some bus passengers to travel more than five miles east to LYNX Central Station in downtown Orlando to transfer to other routes.
[VIDEO: Orange County officials break ground on LYNX bus transfer center in Pine Hills]
The new hub features eight bus bays, a custom canopy inspired by LYNX Central Station, and seamless integration with the Pine Hills Bike Trail. The project also includes a rebuilt Belco Drive and a new building for LYNX employees.
The $15 million project was funded by a combination of local, state and federal funds.
Local rider Branden Doreaus says the station will be a big help for the community.
“Most everybody that stays on this side is gonna need the bus, and that transfer station right there is gonna be a lot of help,” he said.
LYNX first broke ground on the project in 2023. Matt Friedman, Director of Marketing Communications for LYNX, says the facility will make traveling more convenient for riders.
“You’re gonna have 10 routes that are gonna come through here. They’ll be able to move in and out very easily,” Friedman said.
He added that passengers will now be able to transfer routes here instead of traveling all the way to the central station downtown.
The station also connects to LYNX’s NeighborLink door-to-door services.
“You call ahead and you can order a vehicle to come pick you up on the app. It is our Route 813, as well as our paratransit vehicles. They’ll pick you up and drop you off here,” Friedman explained.
He said the facility features cameras, lighting, and a unique canopy design, with plans for future upgrades.
“The signs you see up here right now — this is a great way for us to be able to share information, but it’s static. We’re in the digital age, and so those signs are gonna be changed out to digital signs, which will provide real-time information so people know where their bus is and when it’s arriving," he said.
For riders like Doreaus, the station is a lifesaver.
“If you ain’t at the bus stop, the bus is gone. The transfer station over there is going to be way better than when you’re at the train station. They can’t go anywhere unless they pick you up,” he said.
Below is a list of route changes with the addition of the new bus transfer center:
- Link 9 – Winter Park/Rosemont/Pine Hills (Orange County) – Extending route into Pine Hills Transfer Center via Belco Drive. Will no longer serve the bus stop on Pine Hills Road at Silver Star Road.
- Link 37 - Pine Hills/Kirkman Road/Florida Mall (Orange County) – Extending route into Pine Hills Transfer Center via Silver Star Road and Belco Drive.
- Link 43 - Winter Park/Lee Road/Pine Hills (Orange County) – Extending route into Pine Hills Transfer Center via Silver Star Road and Belco Drive. Discontinuing route between Powers Drive and Hiawassee Road.
- Link 44 – Hiawassee Road/Zellwood/Apopka (Orange County) – Extending route to Pine Hills Transfer Center via Silver Star Road and Belco Drive. Will no longer serve bus stop at Hiawassee Road and Silver Star (in front of Wendy’s).
- Link 48 – W. Colonial Drive/Powers Drive (Orange County) – Extending route into Pine Hills Transfer Center via Silver Star Road and Belco Drive. Discontinuing route between Powers Drive and Hiawassee Road.
- Link 49 – W. Colonial Drive/Pine Hills Road/Rosemont (Orange County) – Extending route to Pine Hills Transfer Center via Belco Drive.
- Link 125 – Silver Star Road (Orange County) –Extending route to Pine Hills Transfer Center via Belco Drive. Inbound buses will no longer serve the bus stop on Silver Star Road at Pine Hills Road (in front of McDonald’s).
- Link 301 - Disney Direct/Pine Hills/Hiawassee Road (Orange County) – Extending route to Pine Hills Transfer Center via Belco Drive.
- Link 302 – Disney Direct/Pine Hills Road (Orange County) – Extending route to Pine Hills Transfer Center via Belco Drive.
- Link 303 – Disney Direct/Washington Shores/Pine Hills (Orange County) – Extending route to Pine Hills Transfer Center via Belco Drive.
- NeighborLink 813 – Pine Hills NeighborLink (Orange County) – Extending zone to Pine Hills Transfer Center (on-demand only).