Disney World Bus Route Could Be Cut

Lynx, a bus service in central Florida, is reportedly preparing to cut a Walt Disney World bus route this November.

The route, known as Link 111, currently runs every thirty minutes from the Orlando airport to Walt Disney World with stops along other Disney properties, International Drive, and the Flordia Mall. Under Lynx's new plan, the route would run every hour and provide service to Sea World, the airport and one stop at the Florida Mall.

Link 111 not only provides transportation for guests of Walt Disney World, it also is utilized by cast members as a way to get to and from work at the resort. In fact, about twenty percent - or around 113,000 - of last year's riders used Link 111 as transportation to WDW.

Right now, the route costs some $2.5 million per year to operate and brings in around $300,000 from fares. The new proposed route would cut operating costs to $700,000, and Orange County, Florida, has promised to provide $690,000 in funding for the new route.

The bus route started in 2008, stemming from a deal between Disney and the Florida Department of Transportation. Under that deal, the state agreed to pay Lynx over $4 million while Disney would provide an additional $1.25 million to Lynx over the next five years. With those funds set to run out, Lynx has sought more funding from Disney; Disney has declined. Says Disney spokesperson Brian Malenius:

We have fulfilled our agreement with Lynx. We have carefully evaluated the route and determined it is only utilized by a small number of [Disney employees].

The change in the Lynx service isn't a done deal yet, however. Lynx has been holding public workshops and hearings to garner feedback from riders, and the bus comapny's board of directors vote for the new route is scheduled for November 8.

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