PHOTO BY PEGGY KEHOE


Wearing Polk State College's colors and logos, a Polk County public bus was on hand for the announcement Monday that PSC students and employees may now ride for free on any bus route served by Lakeland Area Mass Transit or Winter Haven Area Transit.

PHOTO BY PEGGY KEHOE

Lakeland Mayor Gow Fields congratulates Polk State College President Eileen Holden after presenting her with the national Best Workplaces for Commuters award Monday. PSC won the award for its partnership with Polk Transit Authority, which allows students and employees to ride public buses free.

PHOTO BY PEGGY KEHOE


Officially opening Polk buses to free rides for Polk State College students and employees, the red ribbon is cut by PSC President Eileen Holden and Tom Phillips, executive director of Citrus Connection. Holding the ribbon are Tina Moore (left), Polk Transit Authority, and Marcia Roberson, Citrus Connection.

PHOTO BY PEGGY KEHOE

Hacienda Mexico Restaurant of Bartow served up a mid-morning meal in front of the Polk State College Technology Building on the Lakeland campus Monday. Serving the long line of students waiting for the tasty treats were (from foreground) Moses Ochoa, Maria Ochoa and Delores Huichaba.

PHOTO BY PEGGY KEHOE

Announcement Monday of free bus rides for Polk State College students and staff was timed to coincide with Earth Day on Sunday. Student Activities offered free T-shirts and reusuable bags to students.

PHOTO BY PEGGY KEHOE


Brittany Irvine, PSC Student Government Association vice president, explained how the free bus rides tie in to Taking to the Streets, a 12-county Florida Department of Transportation campaign that encourages people to try alternate forms of transportation.

PHOTO BY PEGGY KEHOE

Tom Phillips, executive director of Citrus Connection, said the agreement allowing Polk State College students and staff to ride Polk public transit buses free is unique in Florida.