In an effort to raise awareness of public transit and healthier lifestyles in Polk County, Polk County Transit Services, Citrus Connection, Winter Haven Area Transit (W.H.A.T.), and the Florida Department of Transportation District One's Commuter Services Program, have joined together to host Polk County Try Transit Day.      

      There will be free bus service all day, giving participants a no-cost opportunity to learn about Polk County's bus systems and try out public transit to various destinations in the county.  Riders are encouraged to take transit to work, school, shop or play at no charge. 

       A competition has been initiated by Polk businesses and colleges. Two Try Transit trophies will be awarded to a business and a college with the most participants who log a trip using Trip Track on Try Transit Day. Individuals that track trips will be entered into random prize drawings.

       Citrus Connection services the Lakeland area, with connections to Bartow, Winter Haven, Pinedale, Bradley and Pierce; Winter Haven Area Transit (W.H.A.T.) services the Winter Haven area, with connections in Lake Alfred, Haines City, Bartow, Auburndale, Fort Meade, Frostproof, and Lakeland.  
  

       As part of the "Try Transit Day" event, Winter Haven Area Transit will introduce five new buses into the system. The five buses, with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, will be added to the fleet during a special ceremony at the Winter Haven Terminal at 11:15 a.m. and run the designated routes for the 11:30 a.m. departure from the terminal. 

       Local dignitaries, elected officials and bus riders will join together to welcome the new buses into the fleet. The new buses replace many buses that were put into service in March of 1999.