Lake County selects new contractor to operate its public transit system

TAVARES – Lake County is proud to announce that McDonald Transit, a division of RATP Dev, has been awarded the contract to operate the county’s public transit services. The Board of County Commissioners chose McDonald Transit through a national competitive process, with contract services beginning on March 6 for an initial three-year period.

“We’ve listened to our riders and the commission has selected McDonald Transit to help improve the quality and reliability of our transit system,” said Tomika Monterville, Lake County Public Transit Division Manager. “McDonald is known around the state of Florida as a quality operator providing services to Votran in Volusia County since 1975 and SunTran in Ocala since 1999.”

Under the terms of the contract, McDonald Transit will provide management of the operations and vehicle maintenance for Lake County’s LakeXpress fixed route service and the ADA complementary service Lake County Connection. McDonald Transit will also provide recruiting and training for bus and maintenance service staff, will assist with the Federal Transit Administration’s National Transit Database and Florida Department of Transportation reporting, and will oversee fare security functions and labor relations.

“We are delighted to bring our world-renowned quality of service delivery to the customers and citizens of Lake County,” said Blaine Rigler, President of McDonald Transit. “We provide our services to several systems within Florida and will leverage our extensive knowledge and experience operating within the state and internationally to bring about our commitment of improving services and being responsive to the communities we serve.”

With a population of over 300,000 residents, Lake County is an example of a growing suburban county with a transit system that connects residents, visitors and employees to parks, recreational activities and employment opportunities.

For more information about LakeXpress, call 352-742-1940 or visit www.ridelakexpress.com. For information on Lake County Connection, call 352-742-2612.