Citrus Connection
Also known as Citrus Connection
Polk County's public transit system, operated by the Lakeland Area Mass Transit District, serving Lakeland and surrounding communities.
Updated Jul 27, 2026 · Sourced from FDOT Work Program & Active Construction data
Annual riders · FY2024
- 25
- Routes
- 80
- Vehicles
- 818.3K
- People served
Overview
Polk County's public transit system, operated by the Lakeland Area Mass Transit District, serving Lakeland and surrounding communities.
11th most cost-efficient of 12 Florida transit operators on cost per ride. Ridership +39% since 2022.
Federal Capital Investment
USASpendingLargest program: Section 5307 Urbanized Area
- $7.0M Section 5307 Urbanized Area · 2021FL-2021-006
- $6.2M Section 5307 Urbanized Area · 1999FL-2016-010
- $5.1M Section 5307 Urbanized Area · 2021FL-2021-007
- $4.5M Section 5307 Urbanized Area · 2026FL-2026-007
- $4.4M Section 5307 Urbanized Area · 2025FL-2025-016
Source: USASpending.gov
Operations
Services operated
Ridership by mode
Annual unlinked passenger trips · FY2024
- Bus874.6K91%
- Paratransit90.8K9%
Source: FTA National Transit Database (by mode)
Federal Transit Data
National Transit Database · FY2024
- NTD ID
- 40031
- Service area
- 1,798 sq mi
- Population served
- 818,330
- Employees (FTE)
- 918
- Reporter type
- Full Reporter
- Urbanized area
- Lakeland, FL
Ridership & financials
- Passenger miles
- 5.2M
- Operating budget
- $26.7M
- Fare revenue
- $766.9K
- Farebox recovery
- 2.9%
Ridership trend
↑ 39%Routes & Coverage
GTFS1,147 stops served
View 25 routes
Source: GTFS static feed (Mobility Database)
Cost per Ride vs. Florida peers
11th lowest of 12 FL transit operators reporting to the NTD
- TBARTA$5.51
- Miami-Dade DTPW$7.39
- HART$8.43
- BCT$8.87
- LYNX$10.52
- PSTA$10.55
- Palm Tran$14.52
- ECAT$16.12
- JTA$20.89
- SFRTA$26.96
- Citrus Connection$27.65
- SunRail$67.51
Source: National Transit Database — operating expense ÷ annual unlinked passenger trips.