ST. LUCIE COUNTY – St. Lucie County's fare-free Area Regional Transit (ART) fixed-route bus system is making improvements to Route 7 to better serve residents traveling throughout North St. Lucie County.

Effective Monday, Aug. 3, ART has a new bus stop at FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and Old Dixie Highway and is discontinuing stops at Turnpike Feeder Road and Indrio Road and North Kings Highway and Indrio Road (southbound). The route adjustments are designed to keep the transit system responsive to the community's transportation needs as the county continues to evaluate and improve service.

The improvements are funded through the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) Public Transit Block Grant Program, enabling St. Lucie County to continue enhancing its fare-free fixed-route bus system while maximizing state transportation funding. Earlier this year, St. Lucie County accepted more than $1 million in FDOT Block Grant funding to support transit services and improvements.

"Providing reliable, accessible transportation means continually looking for opportunities to improve service for the people who rely on ART," said St. Lucie County Transit Director Adolfo Covelli. "These updates help ensure we're making the best use of available resources while continuing to meet our community's transportation needs."

ART fixed-route buses remain fare-free for all riders. By aggressively pursuing state and federal grant funding, St. Lucie County continues stretching local taxpayer dollars while investing in transportation improvements that benefit the community.

For more information about Route 7, including updated bus stop locations, visit the St. Lucie County Area Regional Transit site or call 772-462-1778.