Who would have thought. . .

. . . this blog post would get so much attention?

The topic:

Palm Tran and public access
to the beach in Central
Palm Beach County.

First, for returning Snowbirds and others who are wondering, “What’s going on with that pool at Beach and Casino Complex?” When you finish reading this blog post scroll back up and click on this link for the latest information.


Now to Palm Tran bus service to the beach. . .

For those of you unaware Palm Tran used to run a bus to the Lake Worth Casino and Beach Complex. But due to construction activity at the top of the dune that bus service was discontinued about nine years ago. The bus then turned around at the east side of the Robert Harris Bridge and the public had to walk the rest of the way.

Then later the bus stopped going as far as the bridge and turned around at City Hall instead. That bus route continues to this day.

There was talk earlier this year of constructing a new Palm Tran bus stop at the Lake Worth Beach but unless something has changed the last we heard the City would have to pay up to $250,000 and fund the entire project. But there are organizations like the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Agency that could help find funding or a grant for such a project.

Taking a bus to the Beach would be a viable option now for many people. You may recall the price to park went up this year. The beat reporter at the Post wrote about parking a vehicle going from $2 to $3 per hour at the Casino and Beach Complex:

Many of the residents The Palm Beach Post spoke with were fine with the rate increase. [emphasis added]

“[F]ine with the rate increase”?

Wonderful news, right? Not so much for low-income families west of Dixie Hwy. with transportation by car being one of the only viable options. But what about that family just hopping on the bus? Have kids learn about the value of public transportation?

Remember, it was Lake Worth Commissioner Scott Maxwell who first hammered the point home several years ago: the public beach here in this City is a regional beach. The public as far out as Wellington consider this public beach to be their beach too. And so does every person in CPBC that uses Palm Tran Route 62 except the bus doesn’t go that far.

This bus route, Route 62, serves Lake Worth Rd., a main County arterial in the County. Major bus stops include The Mall at Wellington, Nassau Square, Wellington Regional Medical Center, Greenacres Library, Greenacres Post Office, vast areas of suburban (unincorporated) Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College, Lake Worth Tri-Rail Station, Lake and Lucerne avenues to Lake Worth City Hall, and potentially the Lake Worth Beach and Casino Complex.

As of now the last eastern stop on Route 62 is Lake Worth City Hall on Dixie Hwy. One could continue to the Beach using a ride-sharing service like Uber. By bicycle using the Palm Tran “Bikes On Buses” program the Lake Worth Casino Complex is about ten minutes away (≈1.5 miles).

By foot it’s a brisk 25–30 minute walk further east, up and over the Robert Harris Bridge (unless there is a bridge opening for ships to pass), and then the pedestrian making it thus far has to dodge traffic on A1A and then up another incline to the Casino Complex by which time that person might wish for ropes and a Sherpa escort.

The Beach bus stop would also provide a benefit for Palm Tran and their bus drivers. This bus stop, if constructed, will be what is called the “pee stop” for bus Route 62. There are plenty of necessary facilities for drivers at the Casino Complex. But the main purpose of the so-called ‘pee stop’ is for drivers to have time to catch up on their records, plan the next drive out west, and return calls to supervisors as well.

Do you support restoring Palm Tran bus service? If so contact the good folks at Palm Tran and let them know what you think. And you could also contact the elected leaders in the City of Lake Worth as well.

But whomever you contact please be nice and respectful and remember to ask what you can do to help.