Southside Transit Center Signals Progress

April 24 Celebration Punctuates Milestone Project

April 17, 2024

The City of Tallahassee's StarMetro bus system will soon roll into a new age of service as the Southside Transit Center (STC) nears construction. To celebrate, the City will host a ceremonial event on Wednesday, April 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. outdoors on the site of the future transportation hub, located on the corner of Orange Avenue and Meridian Street.

With an investment of $20 million, construction of the Southside Transit Center is a game changer locally.

Economic impact studies by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) have shown a public investment in transit can yield a 4-to-1 economic return. The STC project supports initiatives within the City's five-year strategic plan, as well as the adopted Southside Action Plan, which was designed around goals identified by residents.

The City's focus on infrastructure and economic development enhancements within the Southside have already resulted in an investment of more than $471 million of public funding between Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) and FY22. Since then, the City secured an unprecedented $36 million in competitive grant funding to transition StarMetro to an all-electric fleet and construct the STC. This concentration of public investment is already attracting private investment, including residential housing projects like the Magnolia Oaks development in South City.

The STC will be transformative for the Southside, which accounts for more than one-third of StarMetro's total ridership. With the highest concentration of current riders living nearby, this state-of-the-art facility will make it easier for thousands of Tallahassee neighbors to access economic, educational and leisure opportunities, as well as essential services.

Community engagement has been a priority for the City throughout the development process. StarMetro has facilitated and/or participated in more than 50 community events and engaged more than 2,000 individuals. These outreach efforts provided direct community feedback and ensured transit riders were engaged throughout the process.

Continuing that focus, the community is invited to join in the celebration on April 24. Parking will be available in the Town South Shopping Center, 2525 S. Monroe Street, and shuttle service will be provided to the event entrance on Polk Street. Remarks begin at 11 a.m., and lunch catered by Big D’s BBQ will be available immediately after. StarMetro will have an electric bus on display and service information available. Additionally, there will be performances by the talented Marching Raider Band.

The STC will be a multi-bay, two-story facility with eight covered bays with electric charging stations for fixed route buses; a designated pull-off for paratransit vehicles, Dial-A-Ride rideshare clients and neighborhood circulators; ticketing areas; administrative offices; community meeting space; and more. The STC will be the first public transit center built in Tallahassee since C.K. Steele Plaza in the 1980s.

Construction of the new transportation hub is on track to be completed in 2025.

StarMetro currently provides nearly 2.5 million trips per year to locations throughout Tallahassee. For more information, visit Talgov.com/ThinkTransit.