Community Resources

LAKEXPRESS

The LakeXpress operates 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Buses do not run on Saturdays, Sundays and the following federal holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

LAKE COUNTY CONNECTION

Lake County Connection operates from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. If prior arrangements are made through contracted operators, service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Lake County transports outside of the county for authorized medical purposes only. Trips to Gainesville are on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Trips to Orlando are on Tuesday and Thursday. Return trips from both destinations leave when all passengers are finished with their appointments, but must leave no later than 2 p.m. There is an application process for all new customers. To begin the application process, refer to eligibility requirements.

Mission Statement

Sumter County Transit’s mission is to ensure all citizens of Sumter County professional, efficient and cost-effective transportation services. Sumter County Transit will provide safe, clean, comfortable, and economical transportation and be alert to citizen needs and to prepare for those needs in a timely manner. This guide is designed to help you better understand Sumter County Transit (SCT). Transit is a department within the Public Works Department under the Sumter County Board of County Commissioners. Transit is a passenger transportation service provided for individuals who do not have access to any other means of transportation. In this guide, you will find information regarding policies and procedures to help you make every trip as convenient as possible. Transit provides service for eligible individuals through several funding programs, including Florida Department of Transportation, Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged (CTD), Mid-Florida Community Services, and Sumter County Board of County Commissioners. We provide more than 150 scheduled passenger trips per day using a variety of vehicles specially equipped to transport individuals with disabilities. Because the demand for these services is high, it is important for you to carefully follow the guidelines.

ELIGIBILITY

Residents who are interested in using the Sumter County Transit Transportation Disadvantaged Program, door to door or route deviation services, must apply for them by completing a short eligibility application. You may apply online, or call (352) 568-6683 to request an application. Applications are evaluated and eligibility is determined based on Florida Statutes, Chapter 427, the sponsoring agency guidelines, and on the ability of the resident to use the deviated fixed-route service. Sumter County Transportation Disadvantaged Program is available Monday-Friday. We work to have as many passengers in each vehicle as possible through multi-loading. All trips are subject to funding as well as vehicle and driver availability.

Our mission is to provide safe, comfortable, and accessible transit services as a viable means of mobility to the citizens and visitors of Ocala/Marion County. The City of Ocala is the administrative agency for SunTran and has contracted with RATP Dev to perform day-to-day operations and management of the system. SunTran has been operating since 1998 and currently operates a scheduled fixed-route system six days per week. The service is marketed to riders of all age groups. The regular full cash fare is $1.50, with discounts offered for youth, students, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. In addition, a monthly pass is offered at a rate of $45 per month; reduced rate passes are available for youth, older adults, and individuals with disabilities as well. SunTran provides fixed-schedule service on seven routes in Marion County, mostly centered in Ocala, with one route operating from Ocala to the Silver Springs Shores area southeast of Ocala. Routes operate 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM on weekdays and Saturdays. The Downtown Transfer Station serves as the central stop for six of the seven routes. The Downtown Transfer Station also serves as an intermodal station, connecting the Amtrak bus collector service to bring its patrons to its train station. A limo/van service, the Shuttleliner, offers several trips daily to Orlando International Airport from this station. The Ocala Health Department serves as the transfer location that connects a route running from the Downtown Transfer Station and another route running to Silver Springs Shores.