Palm Tran Introduces New Route-Deviation Service

On Aug. 14, Palm Tran introduced its new route-deviation service, The Link, to Boynton Beach. The Link operates where Palm Tran's fixed route service is not available. It will deviate up to three-quarters of a mile from a printed route to serve communities and destinations of interest in the area. The Link travels to shopping locations, Tri-Rail stations and connects to existing Palm Tran fixed routes.

Every Thursday, the Brown Link travels from East Boynton Beach to the Caridad Center, west of Florida's Turnpike via Woolbright Road. The Brown Link serves Bethesda Health City; the Boynton Beach Library, Schoolhouse Children's Museum and City Hall; and connects to Palm Tran Routes 1, 2, 3 and 70. In addition to scheduled stops, there are "flag down" locations along the route. There is one-hour service all day beginning at 7:00 A.M. The fare is 50 cents. No passes are accepted.

Passengers can pre-schedule a deviation by calling Palm Tran CONNECTION to request a deviation within three-quarters of a mile off the existing route. Also, the passenger can inform the driver upon boarding. Trips may be scheduled three days in advance between 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., seven days a week by calling (561) 649-9838 or (877) 870-9849 (toll-free), option 5.

The project is fully funded by a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation. $212,500 has been allocated for the first year. If successful, FDOT will provide funding for another year. Palm Tran's' goal is to make transit more easily accessible and to reach people in residential communities.

For more information on the entire Link system, call (561) 649-9838, option 5, or (877) 870-9849, option 5 (toll free), or log on to www.palmtran.org.