StarMetro (bus service)

Last updated
StarMetro Logo.png
Founded1973
Headquarters Tallahassee, Florida
Service area Tallahassee, Florida
Service typeBus
Routes14 weekday, 12 Saturday, 4 Sunday/nights
Hubs1
StationsC.K. Steele Plaza
Fleet55 buses
Annual ridership2.4 million (2022)
Fuel typeClean Diesel, CNG, Battery-electric
Operator City of Tallahassee
Website www.talgov.com/starmetro

StarMetro is the city-owned and operated public bus service for Tallahassee, Florida, and was previously known as TalTran.

Contents

StarMetro operates both fixed-route and dial-a-ride service in the Tallahassee metropolitan area with a focus on sustainability and innovation. StarMetro received multiple federal grants between 2011 and 2023 to purchase battery-electric buses and construct new transit facilities.

History

In 1973, the City of Tallahassee purchased the public transit system from Cities Transit Company, renamed it “Taltran” and began operating fixed-route transportation with a fleet of 21 buses and a fare of $0.30. Taltran and Florida State University started the Seminole Express that same year, providing transportation to, around, and from campus to surrounding areas in Tallahassee.

In 1976, the city constructed an administration and maintenance building at 555 Appleyard Drive. The city began offering Dial-A-Ride service in 1984 and in 1986 completed construction of C.K. Steele Bus Plaza.

In 2005, TalTran changed its name to StarMetro and launched a new erra called the "Reinaissance Project". From 2006 to 2009, StarMetro implemented a series of system improvements, including new routes and stops, upgrades to existing stops, and GPS-enabled buses with live locations available in trip planning apps and on the Internet. Improvements at C.K. Steele Bus Plaza included minor renovations, free wireless internet, and the installation of information kiosks.

In 2011, StarMetro implemented a complete route overhaul dubbed "Nova2010", which reduced the current system to 11 routes, of which only 4 were intended to meet at CK Steele Plaza. The routes ran at closer intervals than before while providing transfer points all over the city — no longer requiring all two-bus trips to transfer at CK Steele Plaza. The Nova2010 project was met with public backlash, with many patrons feeling dissatisfied with the level of public engagement.

In 2012, The Federal Transit Administration awarded StarMetro over $5 million dollars from the Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) II grant to pursue electric buses. StarMetro purchased five electric buses with this funding.

In 2013, StarMetro sought public input and reverted to a hub-and-spoke system with all but one route (Live Oak) meeting at C.K. Steele Bus Plaza to facilitate transfers. In following years, StarMetro introduced FLEX, a form of neighborhood microtransit operating in two distinct areas.

In 2017, StarMetro received a $1 million-dollar federal grant to purchase 15 new electric buses. The city signed a 10-year contract with FSU and transitioned to a fully electric campus fleet in 2019. That same year, the STAR Program (Student Transportation for Academics and Responsibilities) codified a long-standing city policy that allowed K-12 students to ride free on public transportation.

StarMetro installed a new fare collection system in 2020, which streamlined and enhanced payment options for customers, including a ticket vending machine, smart cards with eFares, and the ability to purchase fares using apps like Token Transit and Moovit.

COVID-19 response

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, StarMetro implemented the following changes:

After the mask mandate was lifted in March 2022, service and hours generally returned to normal. However, the suspended trolley service was never reintroduced and the driver barriers are still in use.

Current Developments

In 2021, StarMetro staff began pursuing the construction of the Southside Transit Center, which will be located on the northwest corner of Orange Avenue and Meridian Road. The new transfer center will require another restructuring of the StarMetro Fixed Route System. StarMetro began its Think Transit Campaign in 2021 to solicit public feedback on the design and construction of the Southside Transit Center and revised fixed route system. Outreach is spearheaded by StarMetro with the help of Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, who suggested route adjustments and new routes based on feedback from the initial phases. Phase four is ongoing and actively seeking responses and feedback for these proposals. [2]

Routes

StarMetro operates every day of the year except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Weekday service consists of 14 regularly scheduled fixed-routes, two flex-routes, and one express route that operates during peak travel times. The "Saturday" schedule consists of 12 of the weekday routes, typically with the earliest trip eliminated and/or the headway reduced. The "Sunday" schedule consists of a completely separate system of four routes that is not as extensive as the weekday/Saturday routes. The Sunday route system is also run on weekday and Saturday nights (7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.). All weekday and Saturday routes are named for Tallahassee area locations and symbols while the Sunday routes are numbered.

Weekday routes

RouteHeadwayDestinations
A – Azalea30 minutes (west side) (60 minutes off-peak east side)Commonwealth & Capital Cir. NW, Tennessee St., C. K. Steele Plaza, Mahan Dr., *Fallschase (WalMart) Service to location funded by The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
B – Big Bend30 minutes (60 minutes off-peak north side 10AM-2PM)Lake Jackson Town Center, Monroe St., C. K. Steele Plaza, Paul Russell Rd. (North Florida Fairgrounds), from Fred George Road to Capital Cir. SE
D – Dogwood60 minutesC. K. Steele Plaza, Innovation Park (via Bronough St., Perkins Way & Disston St., Lake Bradford Rd., Pottsdamer St. & E Paul Dirac Dr., Levy Ave., Perkins Way & Disston St., Duval St.)
E – Evergreen60 minutesC. K. Steele Plaza, TSC, Tharpe St., E Park Ave., Capital Cir. SE, Conner Blvd. Extension (Tom Brown Park, The Westcott Apartments) to Apalachee Pkwy. (ACE Hardware & Wal-Mart), Sutor Rd. & Trojan Trail (Lincoln High School)
F – Forest60 minutesHuntington Oaks, Mission Rd., Appleyard Dr., Jackson Bluff Rd., C. K. Steele Plaza
G – Gulf60 minutesRidge Rd., Paul Russell Rd. (North Florida Fairgrounds), S/N Magnolia Dr. (Parkway Center), C. K. Steele Plaza (via E Park Ave.), Tallahassee Memorial Hospital (via Miccosukee Rd..), HCA Florida Capital Hospital (via Capital Medical Blvd.) to Centerville Rd. & Fleischmann Rd. *Limited Service to Miccosukee Hills Apartments on Outbound trip.
H - Hartsfield60 minutesCommonwealth Blvd., Hartsfield Rd., N Monroe St., RAA Middle School (MLK Blvd. & W Tharpe St.), 4th Ave., Bronough St., C. K. Steele Plaza
K – Killearn60 MinutesC. K. Steele Plaza (via N Gadsden St., Thomasville Rd., (Midtown, Village Commons & Walmart Shopping Centers), Velda Dairy, Rd., Kerry Forest Pkwy., Thomasville Rd.).
L – Live Oak45 minutesInnovation Park, Pottsdamer St./E Paul Dirac Dr., Orange Ave. & Blair Stone Rd. (Sergeant Ernest "Boots" Thomas" VA Outpatient Clinic), Target, Koger Center & Walmart (via Apalachee Pkwy.), Eisenhower St., Roberts Rd., Jackson Bluff Rd., Nina Rd./W Pensacola St., Yulee, Ridgeway Sts., Roberts Rd. This is the only route in the system that doesn't stop @ C.K. Steele Plaza.
M – Moss30 minutes (60 minutes off-peak 9AM- 2PM)Frenchtown, C. K. Steele Plaza, Bond Community, (via Brevard, Preston, Basin, Calloway, Colorado, W Tharpe Sts. (Godby High School), High, Hartsfield, Atlas Rds., High Rd., W Tharpe St., Old Bainbridge Rd., Volusa, Alabama, Sts. (Griffin Middle School). South City (via 4th, Railroad Aves., Perkins Way & Disston St., Holton & Wies Sts., Pasco St., (S Monroe Commons Shopping Center, Paul Russell Rd. & North Florida Fairgrounds), Althea Gibbs Way, Railroad Ave.
R – Red Hills60 MinutesC. K. Steele Plaza, E Lafayette St. (Florida Dept. of Transportation, Cascades Park), Parkway Center (E Lafayette St. & N/S Magnolia Dr.), into Governor's Square Mall (via E Lafayette St., Lower-level J. C. Penney.) Exits via Governor's Square Blvd. to S Blair Stone Rd. & Old St. Augustine Rd. Through Koger Center (via Old St. Augustine Rd. to Apalachee Pkwy.), Capital Cir. SE/NE (HCA Florida Capital Hospital, Village Square)
S – San Luis60 minutesC. K. Steele Plaza, E Tennessee St., TMH, (via E Park Ave., Miccosukee Rd. to Medical Dr.) Centre of Tallahassee, Macon Community (via Betton, Bradford, John Knox, Allen, Fulton, Grady, Thomas, Bermuda & Henderson Rds., North Florida Christan)
T – Tall Timbers30 minutes (60 minutes off-peak 9:30AM-2PM)TSC, FSU (via W Pensacola St.), Gaines St., CollegeTown, C. K. Steele Plaza
W – Southwood Express40 minutes (6:20 AM-9:40AM, 3:30PM-6:55PM)C. K. Steele Plaza, Koger Center, Southwood Town Center

Additionally, the Southwood Express route runs from downtown to Southwood and back every 40 minutes. *Limited service at Florida Dept. of Revenue on Inbound trip.

Saturday routes

Also operates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Veterans' Day & Day after Thanksgiving

RouteHeadwayDestinations
A – Azalea60 MinutesLowe's Shopping Center, Commonwealth (Capital Cir. NW), Tennessee St., C. K. Steele Plaza, Mahan Dr., *Fallschase (WalMart) Service to location funded by The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
B – Big Bend60 minutesLake Jackson Town Center, Monroe St., C. K. Steele Plaza, Paul Russell Rd. (North Florida Fairgrounds), from Fred George Road to Capital Cir. SE
D – Dogwood60 minutesC. K. Steele Plaza, Innovation Park (via Bronough St., Perkins Way & Disston St., Lake Bradford Rd., Pottsdamer St. & E Paul Dirac Dr., Levy Ave., Perkins Way & Disston St., Duval St.).
E – Evergreen60 minutesC. K. Steele Plaza, TSC, Tharpe St., E Park Ave., Governor's Square Mall (Lower level-JC Penney, via Reece Park Ln. (two outbound trips & one inbound trip), Exits inbound only via Governor's Square Blvd., N Magnolia Dr. to E Park Ave.), Capital Cir. SE, Conner Blvd. (Tom Brown Park), Sutor Rd. & Trojan Trail (Lincoln High School), Apalachee Pkwy. Wal-Mart
F – Forest60 minutesHuntington Oaks, Mission Rd., Appleyard Dr., Jackson Bluff Rd., C. K. Steele Plaza
G – Gulf60 minutesRidge Rd., Paul Russell Rd. (North Florida Fairgrounds), S/N Magnolia Dr. (Parkway Center), C. K. Steele Plaza (via E Park Ave.), Tallahassee Memorial Hospital (via Miccosukee Rd.), HCA Florida Capital Hospital (via Capital Medical Blvd.) to Centerville Rd. & Fleischmann Rd. *Limited service to Miccosukee Hills Apartments on Outbound trip.
K – Killearn60 minutesC. K. Steele Plaza (via N Gadsden St., Thomasville Rd., (Midtown, Village Commons & Walmart Shopping Centers), Velda Dairy Rd., Kerry Forest Pkwy., Thomasville Rd.).
L – Live Oak45 minutesInnovation Park, Pottsdamer St./E Paul Dirac Dr., Orange Ave., Blair Stone Rd., Target, Koger Center & Walmart (via Apalachee Pkwy.), Eisenhower St., Roberts Rd., Jackson Bluff Rd., Nina Rd./W Pensacola St., Yulee, Ridgeway Sts., Roberts Rd. This is the only route in the system that doesn't stop @ C. K. Steele Plaza
M – Moss60 minutesFrenchtown, C. K. Steele Plaza, Bond Community, (via Brevard, Preston, Basin, Calloway, Colorado, W Tharpe Sts., (Godby High School), High, Hartsfield, Atlas Rds., Portland Ave., High Rd., W Tharpe St., Old Bainbridge Rd., Volusia, Alabama Sts.(Griffin Middle School). South City (via 4th, Railroad Aves., Perkins Way & Disston St., Holton & Wies Sts., Pasco St., (S Monroe Commons Shopping Center, Paul Russell Rd. & North Florida Fairgrounds), Althea Gibbs Way, Railroad Ave.
R – Red Hills60 minutesC. K. Steele Plaza, E. Lafayette St. (Florida Department of Transportation, Cascades Park), Parkway Center (E. Lafayette St. & S. Magnolia Dr.), through Koger Center (via Old St. Augustine Rd. to Apalachee Pkwy.), Capital Cir. SE/NE (HCA Florida Capital Hospital, Village Square)
S – San Luis60 minutesC. K. Steele Plaza, E Tennessee St., TMH (via E Park Ave., N Magnolia Dr. to Medical Dr.), Centre of Tallahassee, Macon Community (via Betton, Bradford, John Knox, Allen, Fulton, Grady, Thomas, Bermuda, Henderson Rds., North Florida Christan).
T – Tall Timbers60 minutesTSC, FSU, (via W Pensacola St.), Gaines St., CollegeTown, C. K. Steele Plaza

Sunday & Night routes

Also operates New Year's Day, Memorial Day, 4 July & Labor Day

RouteHeadwayDestinations
Route N/S160 minutesLowe's Shopping Center (Capital Cir. NW), Tennessee St., C. K. Steele Plaza, Miccosukee Rd.& Magnolia Dr. (TMH), Governor's Square Mall (Lower-level J. C. Penney), Target, Kroger Center (Via Governor's Square Blvd., S Blair Stone Rd. to Apalachee Pkwy.), Parkway Center (Via Old St. Augustine Rd. & S/N Magnolia Dr.)
Route N/S260 minutesMacon Community, Monroe St., C. K. Steele Plaza, Orange Ave., Woodville Hwy., Paul Russell Rd. (North Florida Fairgrounds)
Route N/S360 minutesTSC (*NO SUNDAY SERVICE TO THIS LOCATION, NIGHTS ONLY), Pensacola St., Gaines St., C. K. Steele Plaza, Lake Bradford Rd.
Route N/S560 minutesFrenchtown, C. K. Steele Plaza, Bond Community, South City (Paul Russell Rd., North Florida Fairgrounds)

Campus Routes

The Nite Nole charging on its layover at the UCA bus stop. Bus charging at doak.jpg
The Nite Nole charging on its layover at the UCA bus stop.

StarMetro operates seven fixed routes on the campus of Florida State University (FSU) when class is in session with the exception of the Night Nole, which operates late into the night during the fall and spring semesters.

StarMetro has been providing campus transportation to FSU since 1973. [3] These routes are free to the public and connect campus with nearby student housing facilities. In Fall 2019, FSU signed a 10-year contract with StarMetro to continue providing campus bus services. As part of the new contract, StarMetro purchased all electric buses to run exclusively on FSU campus routes. [4] In 2017, each Proterra XR-Plus bus costs approximately $719,000 with a battery lease. [5]

Beginning in the Fall 2020 semester, campus bus routes and times were altered in order to prepare for electric buses across all routes, as the electric buses need some down-time to charge while in service. FSU installed two overhead charging stations at the Doak Campbell Stadium bus stop and at Stadium Drive and Spirit Way, and StarMetro installed an overhead charging station at C.K. Steele Bus Plaza. Currently, the university pays StarMetro a fee of $91.45/bus/hour to operate campus routes.

All campus routes were temporarily discontinued in March 2020 when the university closed due to COVID-19. Campus routes reopened in August 2020, with limited capacity and service. Service resumed normal operations in Fall 2021.

StarMetro used to provide fixed routes on the Florida A&M University campus, but this was discontinued when the institution decided not to renew its contract with the agency and began providing campus shuttle services in-house. [6]

FSU Campus Routes [7]
Route AbbreviationRoute NameDestinationsFall & Spring Term Operation TimesSummer Operation Times
GAGarnetOcala St (Northbound), High Road (Southbound), Ocala Corners Shopping, W Call Street, FSU First Circle, FSU Second Circle, Student Union (Eastbound), Jefferson Street (Westbound)7 am – 7:51 pm (Mon-Fri)7 am - 5 pm (Mon-Fri)
GOGoldOcala St (Southbound), High Road (Northbound), W Call Street, FSU First Circle, FSU Second Circle, Student Union (Westbound), Jefferson Street (Eastbound)7 am – 7:57 pm (Mon-Fri)7 am - 5 pm (Mon-Fri)
HEHeritageC.K. Steele Plaza, College Avenue, W Call Street, FSU First Circle, FSU Second Circle, Student Union (Eastbound), Jefferson Street (Westbound), Heritage Grove, Ocala Corners Shopping7 am – 8:20 pm (Mon-Fri)7 am - 5 pm (Mon-Fri)
INInnovationFSU First Circle, FSU Second Circle, Lake Bradford Road, Levy Ave, Innovation Park, FSU/FAMU College of Engineering7 am – 8:10 pm (Mon-Fri)7 am - 5 pm (Mon-Fri)
NNNight NoleTennessee Street (Westbound), Appleyard Drive (Southbound), Pensacola Street (Eastbound), Ocala Road (Northbound), Heritage Grove, High Road (Southbound), W. Call Street, Stadium Drive (Southbound), Jefferson Street (Eastbound), Macomb Street (Northbound)8 pm – 3 am (Mon-Sat)Does not operate in summer
OSOsceolaFSU First Circle, FSU Second Circle, Call Street (Westbound), Stadium Drive (Southbound), Pensacola Street (Westbound),

White Drive, Mission Road, Tennessee Street, Dixie Drive

7 am – 8:15 pm (Mon-Fri)7 am - 5 pm (Mon-Fri)
RERenegadeCounter-clockwise campus loop7 am – 7:50 pm (Mon-Fri)7 am - 5 pm (Mon-Fri)
TOTomahawkFSU First Circle, FSU Second Circle, Bellevue Way (Westbound), Jackson Bluff Road (Eastbound), Madison Street (Eastbound), Jefferson Street (Westbound)7 am – 7:35 pm (Mon-Fri)7 am - 5 pm (Mon-Fri)

Programs and Services

FLEX routes

StarMetro offers two "FLEX" routes. FLEX is a call-ahead curb-to-curb service allows riders to be picked up and dropped off at any location within the designated FLEX zone, and includes free transfers to the regular fixed route. Riders must call StarMetro two hours before they wish to be picked up in order to use the FLEX routes.

This service connects residents in the Lake Jackson area to the Lake Jackson town center, where riders can transfer to the Big Bend and Forest routes. In the Southside area, riders can connect to multiple points of interest on the Southside or connect to the Gulf, Live Oak, Moss, Southwood and Dogwood routes. Southside residents will also be able to use the FLEX to connect to the Southside Transit Center, which is slated for construction in 2025.

Dial-A-Ride

StarMetro's special transportation programs, collectively known as Dial-A-Ride, primarily provide next-day service for riders with disabilities or who are otherwise transportation dependent. Riders can schedule their rides online or over the phone up to fourteen days in advance. The service costs $2.50 per ride.

Dial-A-Ride originally started in 1984 in response to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, but it now falls under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and other federal regulations for Special Transportation. Dial-A-Ride provides complementary ADA service to residents with a qualifying disability that live within 3/4 mile of StarMetro's fixed route system.

Community Transportation Services

In 2002, Taltran became the Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) for Leon County. StarMetro's CTC Program coordinates next-day service for riders who qualify as transportation disadvantaged. [8] This program is overseen by the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged (CTD) and funded by the Transportation Disadvantaged Trust Fund.

CTC services are provided concurrently with complementary ADA services. The Application for Transportation Assistance, available on StarMetro's website, enables residents to apply for both programs at the same time. The ADA only requires service provided in the area and hours where fixed route service is available, but the CTC program allows Dial-A-Ride to operate with expanded hours and areas where regular fixed route service is not available. Dial-A-Ride Hours of Operation:

  • Weekdays, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Saturdays, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Sundays, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Certain holidays are excluded.

Student Transportation for Academics and Responsibilities (STAR) Program

STAR Program offers fare-free access to public transportation for K-12 students attending school in Leon County as long as they have a program agreement on file signed by the student and a parent, legal guardian, or other responsible adult. The program codified a long-standing city policy providing free fares to K-12 students in Leon County, introducing a student code of conduct and reusable STAR cards in partnership with Leon County Schools.

Students in grades 6-12 may ride independently. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade must be accompanied by an older sibling (at least sixth grade), legal guardian or parental designee. Without a STAR card, K-12 students may ride for a reduced $0.60 fare.

Other Programs and Services

Fares

The regular, one-trip fare is $1.25 and the reduced one-trip fare is $0.60. The reduced fare is available for seniors, K-12 students, and disabled persons. Kids under 5 years old ride for free with a parent or guardian. K-12 Students can ride fare-free with valid STAR card.

Transfers are FREE with each one-way fare purchase and are valid for 90 minutes from the time of issue. Transfers are not valid for travel in either direction of the route of origin. A transfer ticket may be used for up to two transfers within the allotted 90-minute time and may be used at any location where two or more routes intersect, where two or more routes run parallel or where customers may walk between routes.

StarMetro offers three unlimited ride pass options: a one-day pass (24 hours) for $3, a 7-day pass for $10, and a 31-day pass for $38.

The new farebox accepts multiple forms of payment including paper tickets or smart cards, available at any StarMetro customer service window or at the Ticket Vending Machine at C.K. Steele Plaza, Leon County Schools STAR cards, FSU IDs (student or employee) or FAMU IDs (students only), mobile tickets purchased through Moovit or Token Transit, and cash. [9]

Facilities and infrastructure

C.K. Steele Plaza

StarMetro's main station is C.K. Steele Plaza ("the plaza"), which was named for the Reverend Charles Kenzie Steele. It is located at 111 West Tennessee Street in downtown Tallahassee on the block bordered by Tennessee Street, Adams Street, Call Street, and Duval Street. The plaza features 24 covered gates for passenger boarding and alighting. Amenities at the plaza include restrooms, covered seating areas, bus driver lounge, and a customer service booth. Fourteen out of the 15 regularly scheduled weekday routes (Azalea, Big Bend, Dogwood, Evergreen, Forest, Gulf, Hartsfield, Killearn, Moss, Park, Red Hills, San Luis, Tall Timbers and Southwood Express) stop at the plaza, in addition to The Heritage Route serving Florida State University Campus, making it the single busiest stop in the system.

Big Bend Transit Services

In addition to StarMetro buses, C. K. Steele Plaza serves as the eastern terminus of the Gadsden Express route, which connects the residents of Quincy and Midway to Tallahassee. The new Jefferson Express connects the residents of Monticello to Tallahassee. The new Havana Express connects with Big Bend & Forest Routes at Lake Jackson. All these routes receive funding provided by Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT).

FlixBus/Greyhound

FlixBus North America announced on December 11, 2024, that all arrivals & departures will occur at CK Steele Plaza to further streamline operations. Gates 3 & 4 at CK Steele Plaza are dedicated to this service.

C.K. Steele Bus Plaza is slated for upgrades in the near future, including a new announcement system, digital signage, and visual improvements.

Administrative Office

The StarMetro office is located at 555 Appleyard Drive, at the corner of Appleyard Drive and Jackson Bluff Road. Only two routes stop at this facility during service hours (Forest and Live Oak). Located on this property are administrative offices, a bus maintenance facility, bus parking lot, and customer service window.

Bus stops

StarMetro bus stops are denoted by a rectangular red, blue and white sign with color-coded letters indicating the routes that serve the stop on specific days of the week, including what the end point or midpoint is for each route. Stops served exclusively by FSU Campus Routes have a different sign with the Seminole Express logo and FSU colors. All stops feature a hexagonal pole and braille to make them more accessible to customers with visual impairments.

While some stops have limited amenities, busier stops and transfer points often have signage, seats, benches, waste containers, and/or covered shelters. Amenities are added to bus stops on an on-going basis and only removed when they have been damaged.

Future Facilities

A temporary park costing $300,000 was constructed at the future Southside Transit Center (previously slated as a potential "Super-Stop") on the corner of Orange Road and Meridian Road.

Fleet

Active fixed route fleet

Currently, StarMetro operates a mix of Gillig and Proterra buses on their fixed routes. Their buses are powered by diesel, CNG, or battery electric. [10] Seats on the newer-model buses are made of padded plastic and are arranged front-facing in rows and sideways against the walls, much like a subway car layout. All models in use except the Dial-A-Ride shuttle vans exceed 4,000 pounds, and therefore are not equipped with seat belts. All buses are equipped with climate-control, interior lighting, and bicycle racks. In March 2020, StarMetro installed barriers to separate drivers from passengers as a response to COVID-19. [11]

NumbersWrap DescriptionPhotoYearManufacturerModelLengthNotes
0501-0509N/A2005 Gillig Low Floor 35 ft (11 m)0502, 0506, & 0509 were retired and sold. 0507 is used as a training bus. Remainder of units in this series are currently being used as contingency spares for FSU campus routes
0703,0704,& 0707-07100703: Hurricane PREP
0704/0708: Blue/red, C.K. Steele Plaza
0707: Multicolored, art & music
0709/0710: Green/yellow, nature park		2007 BRT 40 ft (12 m)Equipped with wheelchair lifts & bicycle racks. 0703 & 0704 are G29D102N4 models & 0707-0710 are G27D102N4 models. 0702, 0705, & 0706 are retired.
0901-09080901/0904/0907: Multicolored, art & music
0902: Blue, Future STC
0903/0905/0906: Purple/Pink, outdoor dining
0908: Orange, canopy		 StarMetro 0905.jpg 200935 ft (11 m)Equipped with wheelchair lifts & bicycle racks. 0901-0904 were previously wrapped in FSU livery and used on campus routes.
1001-1002,1004–10121001/1002/1010-1012 Green, canopy
1004-1009: Blue/yellow, Cascades
1008: Multicolored, city skyline		201040 ft (12 m)1003 Involved in crash on July 20, 2019, damaging front end and has not been returned to service. [12] Equipped with wheelchair lifts & bicycle racks.
1101–11031101: Multicolored, arts & music
1102: City Bicentennial
1103: Purple/Pink, outdoor dining		 Sm 1102.jpg 201135 ft (11 m)Equipped with wheelchair lifts & bicycle racks. Previously wrapped in FSU livery and used on campus routes.
1104–11051104: (Veterans) Purple Heart
1105: Blue/red, C.K. Steele Plaza		201140 ft (12 m)Equipped with wheelchair lifts & bicycle racks.
E002–E0052024 FSU Design Sm e002.jpg 2012-13 Proterra EcoRide BE35 35 ft (11 m)Electric powered. Equipped with wheelchair lifts & bicycle racks. E002 & E003 are 2012 models and E004 & E005 are 2013 models. Originally wrapped in livery that advertised no tailpipe emissions and were used on city-wide routes. Buses were re-wrapped in new FSU livery beginning in Fall 2019 when they began operating on FSU campus routes exclusively.
1201-1202, 1301-13021201: Blue/Red, C.K. Steele Plaza
1202, 1301-1302: Teal/Orange, outdoor dining		 Purple heart city.jpg 2012-13Gillig BRT 40 ft (12 m)Equipped with wheelchair lifts & bicycle racks.
1501–1503Orange, canopy2015Gillig Low Floor CNG 29 ft (8.8 m)Equipped with wheelchair lifts & bicycle racks.
1701–17061701-1705: Navy/Orange, local postcard
1706: Orange, canopy		201735 ft (11 m)
1801–1803Multicolored, city skyline StarMetro 1802.jpg 2018
1901-19152024 FSU Design 2019 Proterra XR+ StarMetro.jpg 2019Proterra Catalyst BE35 XR+ [13] Battery-electric powered. Equipped with wheelchair lifts & bicycle racks. Wrapped in new FSU livery. #1910 is wrapped in additional "City of Tallahassee" logos.
2301Green sustainability2023Proterra ZX5 BE35 35 ft (11 m)Battery-electric powered. Equipped with wheelchair lifts & bicycle racks.
2302, 2303Blue zero emission2023 ZX5 BE40 40 ft (12 m)

Dial-A-Ride & FLEX route active fleet

StarMetro operates a mixed fleet of vehicles for its FLEX and Dial-A-Ride routes. [14]

Model YearManufacturer/ModelChassisPhotoLengthNumbersNotes
2012Champion Challenger2301
20141401-1403CNG powered
Mobility Ventures MV-1 StarMetro SS2219.jpg 205 in2219-2222
2015Champion Challenger1504CNG powered
Dodge Caravan1505-1507
2016Turtletop OddessyFord E4501631-1644CNG powered
2017Champion LF Transport1645-1648CNG powered, low floor
2019Champion Challenger1931CNG powered, low floor
2019ChampionFord Transit 3501932-1934

Promotional fleet

YearNumberAbout
UnknownUnknownStarMetro's Trolley routes were discontinued during COVID-19 and never reinstated to service. At least one Trolley Bus is still operational and is often decorated and used in promotional events such as the Tallahassee Winter Festival Parade.
20050507Training Bus

Retired fleet

YearBuilder and model nameLength
(feet)		Width
(inches)		NumbersRetiredNotes
1968 General Motors Corporation
New Look (T6H-4521A) "Fishbowl" 		35 ft (10.67 m)96 in (2.44 m)6801-6806Acquired when TalTran was formed in 1973. TalTran Logo (Blue & White), Partially Refurbished 1992, ( 6801 & 6802 were not included), (Roll sign was missing on 6802), with separate wheelchair lift access alongside backdoor exit, opening windows, not equipped with power steering, lack of adequate air conditioning, original 1968 interiors preserved. 6805 Dubbed "The Ghostbuster", was in White paint most of the time and decorations were added for Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas.
1976 General Motors Corporation
New Look (T6H-4523A) "Fishbowl"		35 ft (10.67 m)96 in (2.44 m)7601-7623TalTran Logo, Opening windows, partial interior refurbishing after floor separation.
1982Blue Bird
City Bird		30 ft (9.14 m)96 in (2.44 m)8201-8210TalTran Logo, Opening windows.
1983General Motors Corporation
RTS-04 (T80-604) 		40 ft (12.19 m)96 in (2.44 m)8401-8404TalTran Logo, First busses purchased with digital signs and locked windows, not wheelchair equipped.
1983General Motors Corporation
RTS-04 (T70-604)		35 ft (10.67 m)96 in (2.44 m)8405-8411TalTran Logo, Locked windows, not wheelchair equipped.
1992 Transportation Manufacturing Corporation
RTS-06 (T70-606)		35 ft (10.67 m)96 in (2.44 m)9201-9207TalTran Logo, First modern busses equipped with wheelchair lifts and bicycle racks. 9207 After accident, had back digital sign moved slightly towards left but remained on right side, decorated for Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas.
1993 Orion Bus Industries
02.501		25.92 ft (7.90 m)96 in (2.44 m)9301-9305TalTran Logo, Low floor busses, driver seat high off floor, equipped with wheelchair lifts. 9304 & 9305 repainted February 1997 & named C. C. Rider for exclusive use on Capital Circle Office Center Shuttle.
1994Transportation Manufacturing Corporation
RTS-06 (T70-606)		35 ft (10.67 m)96 in (2.44 m)9401-9425TalTran, then StarMetro Logo. Some buses had interiors partially refurbished after floor separation. Equipped with wheelchair lifts & bicycle racks. 9420 sold to Limo company in Quincy.
1994 New Flyer Industries
D40LF 		40 ft (12.19 m)102 in (2.59 m)9426-9432TalTran, then StarMetro Logo (Red, White & Blue). Equipped with wheelchair lifts. These buses were ex-Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Agency units purchased in 2005.
1996 NovaBus
RTS-06 (T80-606)		40 ft (12.19 m)96 in (2.44 m)9601-9609TalTran, then StarMetro Logo. Equipped with wheelchair lifts & bicycle racks. Sold To Various Limo Company's in Tallahassee.
2000 Gillig Trolley Replica 35 ft (11 m)0039-0043Were used for The Midtown College Town & Dinner Route until the routes were discontinued indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All units sold to various companies in Tallahassee.
2000–2001 Advanced Bus Industries
TSV-30		30 ft (9.14 m)96 in (2.44 m)2008, 2011, 2018, 2020
(4 buses)		StarMetro Logo. Equipped with wheelchair lifts. These buses were ex-Central Ohio Transit Authority units. Used on the 80X Routes until 2007.
2001 Gillig
Advantage G18B102N4 		35 ft (10.67 m)96 in (2.44 m)0101–0109TalTran, then StarMetro Logo. Equipped with wheelchair lifts & bicycle racks. Bus number 0101 was in white paint most of the time & decorated for Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas. Two buses in this series were repainted for "The Rhythm Route".
2003 Gillig
Advantage G18B102N4		35 ft (10.67 m)96 in (2.44 m)0301-0302TalTran, then StarMetro Logo. Equipped with wheelchair lifts & bicycle racks.
2005CustomUnknownUnknown0555The "Big Dipper" was a miniature vehicle resembling a bus and was operated by one StarMetro employee. Custom built by the StarMetro maintenance shop from used bus parts, the "Big Dipper" was used in Tallahassee's parades at Winter Festival and Springtime Tallahassee, but is no longer in service.
2006 Gillig BRT29 ft

(8.84 m)

96 in

(2.44 m)

0601Equipped with wheelchair lifts & bicycle racks. Retired in May 2020 when FSU campus routes were replaced by electric busses.

Upcoming Improvements

In 2023, StarMetro was awarded the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant, the Buses and Bus Facilities / Low or No Emission (Low-No) Grant, and $1 million in legislative appropriation, amounting to an impressive $36 million to put towards the development and construction of the Southside Transit Center, which will be the first new public transit center in Tallahassee since the C.K. Steele Bus Plaza was built in 1986.

StarMetro has explored a variety of possible system improvements. Bus-Rapid Transit was considered for Tennessee Street and Mahan Drive (currently serviced by the Azalea route) and to Woodville and Crawfordville through a joint venture with the Capital Regional Transportation Planning Agency, but requires a Major Investment Study before the project can move forward. [15] As of 2024, inter-county travel is facilitated by express routes operated by Big Bend Transit.

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References

  1. ↑ "The City of Tallahassee". www.talgov.com. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
  2. ↑ "National Transit Database 2022 Annual Agency Profile - City of Tallahassee dba StarMetro" (PDF). National Transit Database.
  3. ↑ "The City of Tallahassee". www.talgov.com. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  4. ↑ "Florida State becoming a driving force in electric-vehicle technology". Florida State University News. 2019-02-14. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  5. ↑ "FY19 Approved Budget". City of Tallahassee.
  6. ↑ Rossman, Sean. "FAMU inks StarMetro deal". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  7. ↑ "The City of Tallahassee". www.talgov.com. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  8. ↑ "Statute 427.011 - Special Transportation and Communications Services Definitions". Florida Senate Statutes. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  9. ↑ "The City of Tallahassee". www.talgov.com. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  10. ↑ "CRTPA board - Final Agenda" (PDF). leoncountyfl.gov.
  11. ↑ Casey, Monica (13 April 2020). "StarMetro creates protective barriers for its drivers". www.wctv.tv. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  12. ↑ "More than a dozen injured after car hits StarMetro bus in downtown Tallahassee". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  13. ↑ Design, Razorfrog Web (13 February 2019). "STARMETRO PLACES ITS THIRD ORDER WITH PROTERRA, BRINGING MORE BATTERY-ELECTRIC BUSES TO FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY". Proterra. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  14. ↑ "StarMetro Transit Asset Management Plan" (PDF). December 21, 2019.
  15. ↑ StarMetro Transportation Development Plan 2022
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