City to Host Southside Pop-up Bus Hop

Event Encourages Use of Public Transportation to Connect to Essential Services

February 14, 2023

This Saturday, Feb. 18, StarMetro, the City of Tallahassee's public transit system, will host a pop-up event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Southside. The event is designed to help new StarMetro riders learn more about how they can hop on a bus to access critical care services, local businesses, work, school and more.

The pop-up event will be in the Towne South Shopping Center parking lot, located at 2525 S. Monroe Street. A fare-free bus with tour guide will circulate around the area, showing riders how StarMetro's fixed route service connects residents with business districts and essential services. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with StarMetro's friendly staff who will be on hand to provide transportation system information and giveaways, including free bus passes to encourage new ridership (restrictions apply).

StarMetro provides nearly 3.1 million trips per year to locations throughout Tallahassee. To enhance the rider experience, StarMetro provides free wireless internet access on all buses, as well as at C.K. Steele Plaza downtown. To learn about routes near you and plan your trip, visit Talgov.com/StarMetro. If you need additional guidance, call 850-891-5200.

According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), individuals in a two-person household can save on average more than $10,000 annually by downsizing to one car and using public transit. Additionally, economic impact studies by APTA have shown a public investment in transit can yield a 4 to 1 economic return. The association also notes that traveling by public transportation produces less pollution than comparable travel in private vehicles, making it a good economic and environmental choice.

This effort supports initiatives within the City's five-year strategic plan, as well as the recently adopted Southside Action Plan, which was designed around goals identified by residents. The focus on infrastructure and economic development enhancements within this area have already resulted in an investment of more than $471 million of public funding between Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) and FY22. This concentration is also already attracting private investment, including affordable housing projects like the Magnolia Oaks development in South City.

More public investment is also on the horizon. The City's Southside Transit Center is in its design phase, with construction possible as early as 2024. To ensure the facility meets the current and future needs of the community, StarMetro conducted significant outreach to residents and riders about the milestone project, participating in more than 20 meetings to engage stakeholders. Overall, this planned project will help ensure public transportation remains accessible, efficient and equitable.

For more information about StarMetro services, visit Talgov.com/StarMetro. Other ways to view information include following the organization on Twitter at Twitter.com/RideStarMetro or on Facebook at Facebook.com/RideStarMetro.