StarMetro News
StarMetro Launches New 80X Extension
StarMetro launched the new extension of the 80X Express route yesterday. The kick-off began with a press conference at 6:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Bradfordville Target store.
Mayor John Marks attended the event, along with Leon County Commissioner Bryan Desloge. After speaking with early 80X riders, Mayor Marks boarded the 7:10 a.m. 80X shuttle to Downtown for this year's Race Relations Summit.
The new extension adds a northern branch to the existing southern branch of the 80X route, which travels from the SouthWood Town Center to Downtown. The new northern extension travels along Thomasville Road to Bradfordville, making stops at the Bradfordville Target, Wal-Mart and Village Square.
"Our customers in Killearn and Bradfordville said, 'If service were here, we would ride it,'" said Ron Garrison, director of StarMetro. "We are pleased and excited to offer this new service, and our customers really seem to be loving it."
With this new extension, StarMetro riders may travel from northern Tallahassee to southern Tallahassee free from transfers. In addition, the 80X Express route connects major employment areas, such as the Capital Circle Office Complex, the Koger Center and state and local government offices located downtown.
"I have used the bus twice this week to get to work, and I really like saving the gas," said J. Duggan, StarMetro rider. "This is the first time I have used public transportation in my life and am delighted at how easy it was."
The 80X Express extension, which arrives every 30 minutes during commute times and hourly during the midday, marks StarMetro's first route that travels outside of the city limits.
For more information on all StarMetro routes, please visit our Route Schedules or call 891-5200.
Adams Street Closed Between Tennessee and Call Streets
Passenger Safety Stressed During Renovations at StarMetro's C.K. Steele Plaza - The City of Tallahassee will close Adams Street between Tennessee Street and Call Street to motorists effective Monday, April 7 for approximately five months. The closure is due to this block of Adams Street being used for StarMetro passenger staging during renovations at C.K. Steele Plaza. The detour route will be clearly posted, and weather permitting, Adams Street should be reopened to traffic by Sept. 3.
Work on plaza renovations include replacement of portions of the concrete driveways used by StarMetro coaches. The project will be completed in three phases (north, south and middle), and the area of the plaza being worked on will be closed to the public to ensure a safe transit environment for passengers, StarMetro staff and construction crews. Passengers will be directed to the appropriate area for boarding/transfers by signage and StarMetro staff.
StarMetro offers Wireless Internet Access to Riders
StarMetro offers Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), a technology that allows for wireless Internet connections, on ten of its coaches. This new technology will allow StarMetro riders to access the Internet via wireless enabled devices, such as laptops and personal digital assistants.
"From local listening sessions, we discovered that riders really wanted and valued WiFi access on transit," said Samuel Scheib, StarMetro Planner.
The WiFi equipped coaches will service routes 1, 6, 21, 22, 25 and 80X. StarMetro riders can look for the WiFi logo, located on the outside of each coach near the double doors, to ensure they can log on to the StarMetro WiFi system once riding.
StarMetro began the process of acquiring WiFi technology for its coaches almost a year ago. Partnering with the Parvus Corporation, StarMetro has diligently worked to add this new feature on part of its fleet. Installation started in early February for RiderNet3 ("RiderNet cubed"), Parvus' third generation WiFi solution for mass transit vehicles, onboard the selected StarMetro coaches.
"We are very pleased to offer this new service to our riders," said Ron Garrison, director of StarMetro. "If our riders enjoy the service, we hope to continue adding WiFi capabilities to the rest of our fleet."
Route 22 Detour Begins March 31
Due to construction on Governor's Square Blvd. between Reece Park and Blair Stone Road, route 22 will detour beginning March 31, 2008. Construction will last approximately three months. For more information, please contact StarMetro Customer Service at 891.5200.
View map of Route 22 Detour (PDF)
New Expanded Service for FSU Campus Routes
StarMetro has introduced expanded and more convenient route service for FSU students. All campus buses will have bike racks, so grab your bike and leave your car at home, StarMetro will get you to and around the FSU campus this year.
And remember there is NO FARE REQUIRED on any StarMetro regular citywide route with a valid FSU student ID. All routes, all days!
For more information, please download the Seminole Express brochure (PDF contains same maps as below) or call 850-891-5200.
Green Means Go
StarMetro is an important partner in promoting and educating our citizens on commuter concepts and choices. Please visit the Commuter Choices website and learn what you can do to contribute to the well-being of our environment in your transportation choices.