Palm Tran

{{Short description|Public transit bus system in Palm Beach County, Florida}} {{Infobox Bus transit | name = Palm Tran | logo = Palm Tran (Full Color).svg | logo_size = 250px | image = Newbusphoto.jpg | image_size = 300px | image_caption = | parent = Palm Beach County | operator = Palm Tran Inc. | founded = 1971 as (CoTran) later renamed as Palm Tran | headquarters = West Palm Beach, Florida | locale = | service_area = | service_type = Bus, paratransit | alliance = Broward County Transit, Tri-Rail, Amtrak, Martin County Transit | routes = 30 <ref name=about>{{cite web |url=https://www.palmtran.org/about-us/ |title=About Us |publisher=Palm Tran |date=January 2026 |access-date=March 4, 2026}}</ref> | destinations = West Palm Beach Intermodal, VA Medical Center, Boca Town Center Mall, Wellington Mall, Tri-Rail | stops = 2,700 <ref name=about>{{cite web |url=https://www.palmtran.org/about-us/ |title=About Us |publisher=Palm Tran |date=January 2026 |access-date=March 4, 2026}}</ref> | fleet = 143 <ref name=about>{{cite web |url=https://www.palmtran.org/about-us/ |title=About Us |publisher=Palm Tran |date=January 2026 |access-date=March 4, 2026}}</ref> | ridership = {{American transit ridership|FL West Palm Beach total daily}} ({{American transit ridership|dailydate}}){{American transit ridership|dailycitation}} | annual_ridership = {{American transit ridership|FL West Palm Beach total annual}} ({{American transit ridership|annualdate}}){{American transit ridership|annualcitation}} | fuel_type = Diesel, diesel-electric hybrid, | ceo = Ivan Maldonado | website = [https://www.palmtran.org/ palmtran.org] }}

'''Palm Tran''' is the public transit bus system run by the Palm Beach County Government, serving Palm Beach County, Florida. In {{American transit ridership|annualdate}}, the system had a ridership of {{American transit ridership|FL West Palm Beach total annual}}, or about {{American transit ridership|FL West Palm Beach total daily}} per weekday as of {{American transit ridership|dailydateasof}}. Palm Tran also serves a portion of Broward County, Florida where it overlaps with Broward County Transit. Palm Tran has four main facilities (North Campus in West Palm Beach, South Campus in Delray Beach, Palm Tran Connection/Military Trail and the Belle Glade Facility) with its main headquarters in West Palm Beach on Electronics Way. The current executive director is Clinton B. Forbes.

== History == In 1971, Florida Transit Management, Inc. (a subsidiary of National City) began service with 20 buses on seven routes. In 1980, this service was expanded to over 60 buses in 22 routes, then renamed '''CoTran''', short for "County Transportation". Finally, in 1996, '''CoTran''' was completely restructured to over 150 buses in over 30 routes, then renamed '''Palm Tran,''' its fleet repainted to the present white and teal design scheme, and has been that way since. At that time the basic design of the livery of the buses was changed from white and orange to white and teal, some of which are screen-wrapped to the logos and design of the company that sponsors those particular buses, but preserve their Palm Tran logos and bus numbers, the latter of which are assigned a four-digit number according to the year and order in which they were acquired. Also at that time, Florida Transit Management was replaced with Palm Tran Inc., a nonprofit. Palm Tran will introduce USB charging stations on its newest fleet in early 2017.{{Citation needed|date=March 2026}}

On September 30, 2018, Palm Tran implemented the first overhaul to the entire network since 1996. In addition, free Wi-Fi was added on all buses.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://discover.pbcgov.org/palmtran/Pages/RPM.aspx | title=Home }}</ref>

== Future == On April 23, 2019, The Palm Tran broke ground on an expansion project on its South County Facility in Delray Beach, Florida.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/technology/facilities/shelters-stations-fixtures-parking-lighting/press-release/21079936/palm-tran-palm-tran-breaks-ground-on-its-south-county-facility-expansion-project|title=Palm Tran Breaks Ground on its South County Facility Expansion Project|website=www.MassTransitMag.com|language=en|access-date=2019-10-22}}</ref> The current 3,800 Square foot space will be converted into a three-story 34,000 square foot facility.<ref name=":1" /> The project is set to cost 25 million, 90 percent of which is federally funded.<ref name=":1" /> The facility will feature charging stations for their fleet of fully electric buses; along with service stations for 20 additional buses.<ref name=":1" /> The building will feature art by Palm Beach County's Art in Public Places Program.<ref name=":1" />

== Rates == Plexiglass shields on the driver's side are in place, to reduce interaction.

The standard adult one-way fare is $2. People eligible for the reduced fare, such as students, disabled, and senior citizens, pay $1. $5 buys an unlimited 24-hour pass ($3.50 for reduced fare). Daily and 31-day unlimited ride passes are also available for purchase at Palm Tran Connection. There are 31-day unlimited passes that are available reduced or regular costing $55 and $70 respectively. Kids below 9 ride free with fare-paying rider, limit is 3.<ref name="Fare Information">{{cite web |url =http://www.pbcgov.com/palmtran/fare/pdf/Fare.pdf |title =Your Guide to Palm Tran's QUIK PASS & Fare Information |access-date =2008-08-14 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080916045457/http://www.pbcgov.com/palmtran/fare/pdf/Fare.pdf |archive-date =2008-09-16 |url-status =dead }}</ref>

== Bus technology == All Palm Tran buses have bicycle racks on the front, capable of holding two bikes. They are also equipped GPS and video surveillance cameras which record activity on the bus and the outer side facing the bus stops.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pbcgov.com/infopoint/ | title=MyStop }}</ref> Recently Palm Tran has equipped all fixed-route buses with automatic vehicle location technology that enables passengers to track buses and bus arrivals in real time. Palm Tran also offers real-time bus arrival information on its website or through its MyStop Mobile app, as well as on-demand through SMS. In October 2018, all 159 fixed route buses started to offer free Wi-Fi to its riders.

Palm Tran announced plans to incorporate new payment methods in addition to cash.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/20190312/palm-tran-to-move-out-of-dark-ages-by-taking-credit-cards-for-fares|title=Palm Tran to move out of 'Dark Ages' by taking credit cards for fares|last=Ostrowski|first=Jeff|website=The Palm Beach Post|language=en|access-date=2019-10-22}}</ref> The new upgrades will allow the service to accept credit cards and smartphone payments.<ref name=":0" /> The upgrade was set to cost between 5 million and 6 million dollars.<ref name=":0" />

== Palm Tran Connection == Palm Tran Connection is a shared ride, door to door, paratransit service that provides transportation for residents and visitors in Palm Beach County under six programs: * Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Program * Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Program * Division of Senior Services (DOSS) Program

Palm Tran Connection is operated by private transport companies and oversight is provided through Palm Tran. They travel to every destination in Palm Beach County – from Jupiter to Boca Raton and from Palm Beach to South Bay. Palm Tran Connection schedules all trips, prepares vehicle manifests, handles customer concerns & commendations, determines eligibility, and monitors the performance of the Transportation Providers. The fare for ADA and TD is $3.50 per one way. DOSS is free to meal sites.

== Route list == [[File:Palm Tran bus at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton.jpg|275px|thumb|right|A PalmTran bus at Florida Atlantic University]] [[File:Boca Raton - 48209456787.jpg|275px|thumb|right|A PalmTran bus along US 1 in Boca Raton.]] Routes are divided into four regions within the county.<ref name=guide>{{cite web |url=https://www.palmtran.org/service-changes-routes-and-schedules/ |title=Rider's Guide |publisher=Palm Tran |date=January 2026 |access-date=March 4, 2026}}</ref>

=== Main Corridor === Main Corridor routes traverse the primary north–south surface roads of the county from Boca Raton in the south to Riviera Beach in the north. {| class=wikitable ! Route !colspan=3|Terminals ! Primary streets traveled ! Service notes |- !1<ref name=guide /> |'''Palm Beach Gardens''' The Gardens Mall ! ↔ |'''Boca Raton''' Camino Real |US 1 | |- !2<ref name=guide /> |'''West Palm Beach''' Intermodal Transit Center ! ↔ |rowspan=2|'''Boca Raton''' Town Center Mall |Congress Avenue | |- !3<ref name=guide /> |'''Palm Beach Gardens''' The Gardens Mall ! ↔ |Military Trail | |- !4<ref name=guide /> |'''West Palm Beach''' Military Crossing ! ↔ |'''Riviera Beach''' VA Medical Center |Haverhill Road | |}

=== North County === North County routes mainly serve Palm Beach Gardens, Riviera Beach, and Jupiter. {| class=wikitable ! Route !colspan=3|Terminals ! Primary streets traveled ! Service notes |- !10<ref name=guide /> |rowspan=2|'''Palm Beach Gardens''' The Gardens Mall ! ↔ |'''Jupiter''' Jupiter Town Hall |Indiantown Road, Military Trail |No Sunday service |- !20<ref name=guide /> ! ↔ |'''West Palm Beach''' Intermodal Transit Center |Northlake Boulevard, Congress Avenue | |- !30<ref name=guide /> |rowspan=2|'''Riviera Beach''' VA Medical Center ! ↔ |'''Singer Island''' Lake Drive |Blue Heron Boulevard | |- !31<ref name=guide /> ! ↔ |'''West Palm Beach''' Intermodal Transit Center |45th Street, Tamarind Avenue | |- !33<ref name=guide /> |'''Palm Beach Gardens''' The Gardens Mall ! ↔ |'''West Palm Beach''' Cross County Plaza |Australian Avenue, Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard | |}

=== Central County === Central County routes serve West Palm Beach, Wellington, Lake Worth, and Belle Glade. {| class=wikitable ! Route !colspan=3|Terminals ! Primary streets traveled ! Service notes |- !rowspan=2|40<ref name=guide /> |rowspan=2|'''Belle Glade''' West Tech Education Center ! ↔ |'''Wellington''' Mall at Wellington Green |Southern Boulevard | |- ! ↔ |rowspan=4|'''West Palm Beach''' Intermodal Transit Center |Southern Boulevard, Australian Avenue |Rush hour service only |- !41<ref name=guide /> |'''Palm Beach''' Palm Beach Inlet ! ↔ |North County Road |No Sunday service |- !43<ref name=guide /> |'''Wellington''' Mall at Wellington Green ! ↔ |Okeechobee Boulevard | |- !44<ref name=guide /> |'''West Palm Beach''' Vista Center ! ↔ |Belvedere Road, Cherry Road | |- !46<ref name=guide /> |'''Wellington''' Mall at Wellington Green ! ↔ |'''West Palm Beach''' Palm Coast Plaza |Forest Hill Boulevard | |- !47<ref name=guide /> |'''Canal Point''' Community Center ! ↔ |'''South Bay''' Second Street |SR 15, SR 715 | |- !60<ref name=guide /> |rowspan=2|'''Greenacres''' River Bridge Centre ! ↔ |'''West Palm Beach''' Intermodal Transit Center |Purdy Lane, Summit Boulevard, Parker Avenue |No Sunday service |- !61<ref name=guide /> ! ↔ |'''Lake Worth''' Palm Beach State College |Cresthaven Boulevard, 10th Avenue North | |- !62<ref name=guide /> |'''Wellington''' Mall at Wellington Green ! ↔ |'''Lake Worth''' Lake Worth Beach |Lake Worth Road | |- !63<ref name=guide /> |'''West Palm Beach''' Vista Center ! ↔ |'''Lantana''' Hypoluxo Road & US 1 |Jog Road, Lantana Road | |- !64<ref name=guide /> |'''Greenacres''' WIC Center ! ↔ |'''Lantana''' County Public Health |Melaleuca Lane, 6th Avenue South |No Sunday service |}

=== South County === South County routes mainly serve the cities of Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and Boca Raton. {| class=wikitable ! Route !colspan=3|Terminals ! Primary streets traveled ! Service notes |- !70<ref name=guide /> |'''Lantana''' County Public Health ! ↔ |'''Delray Beach''' Tri-Rail Station |Seacrest Boulevard | |- !71<ref name=guide /> |'''Boynton Beach''' Lantana Road & Military Trail ! ↔ |'''Boynton Beach''' Boynton Beach Mall |Lawrence Road |No Sunday service |- !73 <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.palmtran.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/73.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2021-12-24 |archive-date=2021-12-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224013405/https://www.palmtran.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/73.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> |'''Boynton Beach''' Bethesda Hospital West ! ↔ |'''Boynton Beach''' Tri-Rail Station |Boynton Beach Boulevard | |- !80<ref name=guide /> |'''Delray Beach''' Delray Square ! ↔ |'''Delray Beach''' Plaza at Delary |Lake Ida Road, SW 4th Avenue | |- !81<ref name=guide /> |'''Delray Beach''' Hagen Ranch Library ! ↔ |'''Delray Beach''' Atlantic Avenue & SE 6th Street |Atlantic Avenue |No Sunday service |- !88<ref name=guide /> |'''Delray Beach''' Lakes of Delray ! ↔ |'''Delray Beach''' Plaza at Delray |Linton Boulevard, Lowson Boulevard | |- !91<ref name=guide /> |rowspan=2|'''Boca Raton''' Sandalfoot Square ! ↔ |'''Boca Raton''' Florida Atlantic University |Glades Road | |- !92<ref name=guide /> ! ↔ |'''Boca Raton''' Camino Real & Federal Highway |Palmetto Park Road |No Sunday service |- !94<ref name=guide /> |'''Boca Raton''' Tri-Rail Station ! ↔ |'''Boca Raton''' Camino Real & Federal Highway |NW 8th Avenue, NE 20th Street |Serves Florida Atlantic University |}

== See also == * Transportation in South Florida

== References == <references />

== External links == {{Commons category}} * [https://www.palmtran.org/ Official website]

Category:Bus transportation in Florida Category:Transportation in Palm Beach County, Florida Category:West Palm Beach, Florida Category:1971 establishments in Florida