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LYNX ALL ACCESS

Newsletter for July 2009

In this issue:

• LYNX Board of Directors Meeting dates and times
• Transit Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting dates and times
• Medicaid Bus Pass Eligibility Criteria
• New Travel Training Brochure
• Fixed Route service update
• New Pick Up Lines:  611, 621, 631
• No Show Policy/Will Call
• Limited TD trips available
• LYNX new “Fare Collection Policy”

LYNX Board of Directors Meetings
LYNX Board of Directors draws one member from each of three primary counties served: Orange, Osceola and Seminole. It also includes a representative from the City of Orlando and Florida Department of Transportation. The LYNX Board of Directors is responsible for policy decisions and budgetary issues for the Agency.  The Board meets the 4th Thursday of every other month at 1:00 p.m. at the LYNX Central Station (455 N Garland Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801) in the 2nd Floor Board Room.  Upcoming meetings are scheduled on:
July 23, 2009 
September 24, 2009 
Transit Advisory Committee (TAC)
LYNX Transit Advisory Committee (TAC) represent both fixed route bus service customers and ACCESS LYNX paratransit customers.  Members of the TAC are appointed by LYNX CEO Linda Watson. The TAC bylaws set the goals for TAC and govern the length of each member's stay on the committee.
The LYNX Transit Advisory Committee meetings are open to everyone. These meetings are held bi-monthly on the 3rd Wednesday of odd numbered months.  The meetings start at 10 A.M. in the LYNX Board Room on the 2nd Floor at LYNX Central Station, 455 North Garland Avenue, Orlando, Florida, 32801 on the following dates:

September 16, 2009        
November 18, 2009
Meetings are typically held in the LYNX Board of Directors room, however, should events warrant, TAC meeting locations could change.  Please see the receptionist for the location of the TAC meeting.

Medicaid Bus Pass
LYNX offers free 30-day bus passes to Medicaid eligible customers who have 2 or more verifiable Medicaid compensible appointments in a calendar month and can access our fixed route bus service.
Customers must fill out the Medicaid Bus Pass application, along with the medical appointment verification card, and return to ACCESS LYNX no later than the 15th of each month.  An appointment card must be filled out each month.  Please keep in mind that bus passes will be issued after the 19th of each month and are valid for the following month.  For instance, if your verification card is returned by July 15th, your Medicaid Bus Pass will be issued July 19th for verified appointments in August.  Failure to return a verification card by the 15th of each month will result in no bus pass being issued for the following month.  The initial bus pass must be picked up at LYNX Central Station and you must show proper identification.  After the initial pass is issued, you may opt to pick up your pass at the LYNX Central Station Customer Service window or have your pass mailed to your home.  Applications and appointment verification cards can be obtained at the LYNX Central Station Customer Service window, or by calling 407-423-8747, and selecting option 6.

Travel Training
Travel Training is free, personalized, one-on-one instruction that LYNX offers to people who want to learn how to ride the bus.  Group orientation is also available.  Our travel training program is designed to meet the needs of each individual and may include the following topics:  requesting bus information, trip planning, reading bus schedules, boarding/exiting the bus, fare payment and pass usage, pedestrian safety, emergency procedures, stranger awareness, appropriate behavior on the buses, and using the wheelchair lift.  Training is conducted at the pace of the student, and each student receives a free 30-day bus pass upon successful completion of the training.  For more information regarding travel training, or to have someone come to speak to your group about travel training, please call 407-423-8747, Option 6.

Fixed Route Service Changes Effective April 26, 2009
LYNX is constantly reviewing all bus routes for efficiency.  When improvements are needed, LYNX conducts a service change.  These changes occur approximately three times a year. 
On April 26, 2009, the following changes occurred:
New Link 434-New service from the Oviedo Mall to the Rosemont Superstop, traveling  along State Road 434 in Seminole County. 
Link 27-Plant Street/Oakland will be eliminated on June 3, 2009.  Portions of this Link are currently being served by Link 442.  In addition, Pick Up Line service (Link 611) will be initiated in Ocoee as an alternative to fixed route service.
Link 32-Bithlo was eliminated.  Pick Up Line service (Link 621) was initiated in the area as an alternative to fixed route service.
The addition of Link 434, and the elimination of Links 27 and 32 have affected the ADA service area, which will impact some customer fares.
Several existing routes will experience minor run time adjustments for better connectivity to other fixed route buses.
In addition, Pick Up Line service (Link 631) was initiated in the Buena Ventura Lakes community as an alternative to fixed route service.
Pick Up Line
The LYNX Pick Up Line is a flex or “call first” bus service that is currently in service in the Poinciana, Bithlo/Wedgefield and Buena Ventura Lakes communities, and soon to be in Ocoee. Passengers must call at least two hours in advance of their intended departure to make a reservation for pick up anywhere in the designated service area.  The Pick Up Line will pick you up at the curb and take you to any destination within the designated service area, including a connection to a LYNX fixed route bus service transfer point. The fare is $2.00 per one way trip; and LYNX fixed route adult, youth and AdvantAge passes may be used on the Pick Up Line.  In addition, free transfers can be issued between the Pick Up Line and fixed route service.