A MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER AARONSON

When I first became your County Commissioner in 1992, Palm Tran was CoTran and Palm Tran Connection was SpecTran.  The County's Transportation system has come a long way since  then.  The County Commission and County Staff have worked hard to fulfill Palm Tran's mission  to provide efficient, safe and inexpensive public transportation for the County's residents.

Palm Tran provides over seven million rides a year.  It operates seven days a week and serves more than 3,500 bus stops.  All the buses are equipped with wheelchair ramps, automatic stop announcement systems, surveillance cameras and bike racks.  Palm Tran has a "Seniors in Motion" Program, a "Go There. Do That" School Youth Program and Travel Training.  In addition, Palm Tran offers a variety of presentations that are available to your association or group.

 Palm Tran Connection is a shared ride, door to door, paratransit service that provides transportation for residents under six programs including the Federal ADA (American with Disabilities Act) Program.  I am most proud of the Senior Transportation Program.  Several years ago, the State Legislature discussed, and ultimately approved, a new law requiring all seniors over 80 years of age to have an eye test when renewing their driver's license.  I realized that this would be a huge impact to our senior population.  During that year's budget meetings, I urged the County Commission to earmark $1 million to expand senior transportation services.  Today, 55% of Palm Tran Connection's riders are seniors.  Palm Tran Connection operates seven days a week, averaging 3,200 trips each weekday.  Trips are provided through contracts with local transportation companies whose drivers perform 2,369 hours of service and 32,000 miles of service per day!

The State of Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged awarded Palm Tran Connection the "2006 Urban Community Transportation Coordinator of the Year" award for its exemplary service and commitment to the community.  Also, the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) presented Palm Tran with its "Urban Community Transportation System of the Year" award on June 6th. The CTAA highlighted many of Palm Tran's services but specifically recognized Palm Tran Connection for giving seniors and disabled residents "freedom of mobility."  Palm Tran was chosen over thousands of other transportation systems across the country.  Previous winners include the Transit Authority of Louisville, Kentucky in 2005 and Orange County Transit of Orange County, California in 2004.

I have watched Palm Tran and Palm Tran Connection grow by leaps and bounds over the past 14 years.  These two County-provided services reach every corner of the county, accommodate all types of lifestyles and all age groups.  When it comes to Palm Tran and Palm Tran Connection, Palm Beach County truly has "the best of everything."