Orlando's all-electric bus pilot program launched today. The purpose of the pilot program is to explore the possibility of transitioning the entire Downtown LYMMO bus system to zero-emissions all-electric buses. During the pilot, LYNX will test three different all-electric buses on all the LYMMO line routes (listed further down this post) to further evaluate these new buses and their performance. They will be testingthe following aspects:
- Range of buses on each LYMMO route
- Charging times and charging capacities
- Operational efficiencies
- Reduction in maintenance issues and repair costs
- Reduction of noise
- Improved rider experience
What is LYMMO?
It's a free bus that rides around downtown Orlando. It's known as a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service. The City describes it as a “rail like” service using rubber tired vehicles. Buses operate in their own right of way providing a non-congested route downtown to major destinations.
Where Does LYMMO Go?
Orange Line: North Quarter and Downtown
- The LYMMO Orange-North Quarter operates in a loop along Livingston Street, Magnolia Avenue, Marks Street, Orange Avenue and back to Livingston Street. Transfers to LYMMO Orange-Downtown is available at the Orange County Courthouse Station.
- Every 15 minutes throughout the day, evenings, weekends and holidays.
- The LYMMO Orange-Downtown serves LYNX Central Station to Downtown and back to LYNX Central Station.
- Every 5-7 minutes during office hours, 15 minutes evenings, weekends and holidays.
- Serving Centroplex Garage, OCPS, LYNX Central Station/SunRail, Bank of America, Orange County Courthouse, US Post Office, History Center/Library, Church Street, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, City Hall, SunTrust and North Quarter.
Grapefruit Line: East/West
- Amway Center to Lake Eola
- Every 10 minutes during office hours, 15 minutes evenings, weekends and holidays
- Serving Parramore, Thornton Park, Federal Courthouse, History Center/Library, Lake Eola, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, City Hall, Amway Center, SunRail, Camping World Stadium (game days only), Orlando City Stadium and Orange County Health Department.
Lime Line: Parramore
- Creative Village to Federal Courthouse
- Every 10 minutes during office hours, 15 minutes evenings, weekends and holidays
- Serving LYNX Central Station/SunRail, OCPS, CentroPlex Garage, Bob Carr Theatre, FAMU College of Law, U.S. District Court, Orlando Police Department, Connections to LYMMO Orange - Downtown line at Garland Avenue and Amelia Street and connections to LYMMO Grapefruit line at Central Boulevard and Garland Avenue.
The City of Orlando has been migrating its fleet to advanced fuel vehicles since 2010 as part of its efforts to be one of the most sustainable cities in the country. Currently the City has 1,968 advanced fuel vehicles in its fleet. Plans for FY 2017/2018 include the addition of 162 advanced fuel vehicles including 26 CNG solid waste trucks, 15 hybrid vehicles, 2 Plug-in Hybrid-Electric Vehicles (PHEV) and 119 Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEV) for the Orlando Police Department.
LYNX operates a fleet of 313 buses. 243 buses use Biodiesel fuel. The other 70 run on compressed natural gas (CNG) as part of a public-private partnership agreement between LYNX and Nopetro. In April 2016 the nation’s largest public-private CNG facility opened adjacent to the LYNX Operations Center as part of the agreement.
