LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – The Lake County Commission voted to move forward with a grant application that will help the county continue to invest in public transportation services.

Lake County Commission Chairman, Leslie Campione, said people rely every day on the county’s fixed bus route, LakeXpress, and paratransit service, Lake County Connection.

LakeXpress is more so used for everyday commuting while Lake County Connection is a service for people who need assistance getting to doctor’s appointments, picking up groceries or other day-to-day errands.

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“Public transportation is one of those things that it’s a little difficult because it doesn’t necessarily bring money in, but it supports your economy,” Campione said. “It supports your residents in a way that they can actually have a quality of life and then they can support our businesses by being able to show up to their jobs and get to their jobs.”

Recently, the Lake County Commission approved an application for nearly $1.9 million in grant funding, which the county will match to maintain these essential services.

The grant application, if approved, would allocate more than $1,945,244 to the county’s public transit system.

The Florida Department of Transportation would contribute half of this amount in grant funding, with Lake County matching the funds.

Commissioner Campione highlighted the significance of funding the paratransit system, which in turn secures federal and state funding for the fixed bus route system.

“By funding that paratransit, then we get the money from the federal government and the state for our fixed route system,” Campione said. “So this is really important.”

LakeXpress plays a crucial role in the county, providing transportation to shelters during hurricanes or cold temperatures. Last year, the county introduced the 27 Xpress route, connecting Leesburg to Clermont.

“Public transit is not a money maker, but it is a critical part of being able to keep your economy going, and in Lake County, that’s become more and more important so that folks can get to and from their jobs and get to shopping and so forth,” Campione said.

To find out more about Lake County’s public transit options or to purchase passes, click here.