New LYMMO bus leaves some Parramore residents at the curb
The expansion of the Lymmo free bus service in Parramore is
exciting news -- except if you live in Parramore.
Mayor Buddy Dyer, Lynx and other government officials will
be holding a ceremony Friday to cut the ribbon for the Lymmo Lime line.
Here’s how the event was described in the week-ahead
advisory sent to the news media. “Mayor Dyer will join with Lynx to celebrate
LYMMO’s latest expansion with the completion of the Lime Line. The new LYMMO
Lime Line provides a critical connection for the Parramore neighborhood to
access Lynx Central Station, SunRail and the downtown core.”
Sounds like the service is for Parramore residents. But,
it’s not.
If you look at the accompanying map provided by Lynx, it’s
clear that the Lime line doesn’t enter the residential area of Parramore – one
of Orlando’s historically black communities that is being threatened by
gentrification.
The free bus service is focused on serving the federal
courthouse, FAMU College of Law, Creative Village and the future UCF/Valencia
Downtown Campus, Amway Station and Lynx Central Station.
Parramore activist Lawanna Gelzer said: “That bus is not
for us. They don’t want us on that bus. That bus is for people who want to come
into the community the neighborhood for business or to go to a game. They want
to move us out of here.”
Many Parramore residents are needy, don’t own cars and
depend on public transportation. Extending the Lime line just a few more blocks
to the south would make the free service easily accessible to hundreds of
Parramore residents.
The official press release from Lynx said: “This project
was funded by the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery
Program. The purpose of this funding through the U.S. Department of
Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration is to generate economic
development and improve access to transportation. With a nearly $13 million
investment, the LYMMO Lime Line Project has met the intent of the program.”
Friday’s event marks the 20th anniversary of
LYMMO that became the nation’s first bus rapid transit system – with its own
dedicated lane on the street.
The LYMMO system includes two more lines – Orange and
Grapefruit. It’s noteworthy that in addition to government offices and
businesses those other LYMMO lines do serve residential areas, including a
small portion of Parramore.
Friday’s event will be at 10 a.m. at the northwest corner
of North Terry Avenue and West Livingston street.
Wow sad to hear this, always two sides to a story and this side is one a lot of people can't see. Hope things get better for you, do not give up hope. Looking forward to more posts.
ReplyDelete