Conch Disconnect: County Scraps Transit Service for Local Workers
July 20, 2025
Key West’s workforce increasingly lives beyond the island, pushed outward by housing costs and pulled into long, exhausting commutes. With infrequent transit and few alternatives, driving becomes an expensive necessity.
Last year, Monroe County launched the Conch Connect micro-transit service, a bold step toward addressing the region’s transit challenges. The eventual program promised more and better services up and down the Keys, offering a glimmer of hope for strapped workers in an area long underserved by public transportation.
Now, Monroe County has announced the discontinuation of Conch Connect on August 15, 2025, with no alternative or back-up plan. Over 65,000 rides were taken in the first year—85% by locals, with 50% of trips for work. This decision is a betrayal of the workers, businesses and residents who relied on it.
What the County Says
The decision to discontinue the program was made during the July budget meeting by the Board of County Commissioners. The program cost Monroe County $426,000 annually. The statement said, “The ridership proved to be more for single riders, without the magnitude of ride sharing that was originally estimated.” This was disputed by riders on Facebook. Officials went on to say notices will be placed in Conch Connect vehicles to inform riders of the discontinuation, and information on Lower Keys bus routes is available through the City of Key West.
Christine Hurley, Assistant County Administrator, stated, “While Conch Connect provided valuable services, the financial sustainability of the program was a concern. We are committed to exploring other transit solutions that align with the County’s long-term goals and budgetary constraints.”
A Bad Move in the Face of Growing Challenges
This announcement marks a significant shift in Monroe County’s transportation strategy, as the Conch Connect service had been celebrated for its potential to reduce traffic congestion and provide a convenient option for workers and residents.
Yet, traffic congestion continues to worsen across the Overseas Highway (here and here), as documented in multiple studies over the past five years. The County’s own transit plans (here and here) acknowledge the need for solutions, but this decision undermines those goals.
Conch Connect was a pilot with promise—a step toward addressing these challenges. Its discontinuation sends the wrong message and risks further entrenching the inequities and inefficiencies of the current system.
What the Future Was Supposed to Be
The vision for Conch Connect extended far beyond its initial pilot phase. Monroe County’s transit plan envisioned expanding similar neighborhood-focused services throughout the Keys (Lower Keys, Marathon, Islamorada, Key Colony and Key Largo), supplemented by trunk line service every 30 minutes along the entire length of the Overseas Highway. They also planned to eventually replace the current 4-passenger electric Tesla’s with 13-passenger electric Ford vans to facilitate more ridesharing for the neighborhood services.
This ambitious plan aimed to address the inadequacies of existing transit options, including Key West Transit’s Lower Keys Shuttle, Workforce Express, and Key West Rides on-demand services, which are already infrequent and stretched thin. Census data reveals that less than ½ of 1% of commutes in the Keys are made by bus—a stark indicator of the system’s shortcomings.
Conch Connect’s early success was a beacon of hope, demonstrating the potential for transformative change in a region long underserved by public transportation. Its discontinuation leaves the community back at square one, with no viable alternatives to fill the void.
Community Voices
Belisa Lea, Keys
“Just a shame that the program couldn’t be kept at a lower operating cost. We’re alternatives or changes to the operating procedures been changed to be more cost efficient? A $3 or $4 charge vs $2? Did it support our elderly community? I didn’t use it because we live in Monroe County, yet outside Key West and must drive in to work with a lot of equipment. Yet it probably helped many who may not have been able to afford Uber or Lyft.”
Nicholas Clippinger, Key West
“The people like this and want to keep it. Shouldn’t we have had a chance to vote or weigh in? It’s not just about the rides—it’s about the message it sends. We need to push back.”
Phil Stathos, Key West
“I’ve used this service many times, and almost every time there were multiple passengers. This reason for termination is bullshit. Just say that you want my tax dollars for something that will benefit you and your colleagues.”
Christopher Herring, Key West
“Phil Stathos same it’s always 3 in the car when I ride”
Kim Frazier, Key West
“I actually think it is a great way to get around. Public transportation frees up parking, reduces cars on roads and probably has saved many folks from DUIs or worse. It is also a main way many hotel and restaurant workers get to and from work. I am sorry to see it go.”
Paul Menta, Leader Shop Mom-N-Pop business group
“Transportation or let me say proper as in bus schedules that meet the workers needs and drop off points that don’t leave them far away from good example would be something like a that goes in the areas like does are number 2 on the scale of importance only led by number one, which is Housing. I believe taxes are very reasonable and for certain things like this a slight adjustment taxes which at the end of the day wouldn’t cost everybody hardly anything to keep these programs going such as conch connect. A majority of workers do not live in Key west as you would notice by the triangle and even in the off-season the new traffic jams that we have created because people live on other islands now and commute to Key west. having programs and transportation for workers to get back-and-forth that are adequately done takes a stress and load off the island and also off the that makes it easier for them to so besides this is a big issue and any tourist area that is successful and stay successful has very good public transportation for the workforce.”
Steven Tepper, Key West
“The numbers show it is very popular and growing. Eliminating it will just make Key West Rides even harder to get. I’m guessing you drive and probably don’t use these services, but for some people public transportation is critical.”
Michael Clark, Key West
“Wow this and charging for Duvall Loop.”
Robert Stadnycki, Key West
“I use it all the time and love it!”
Clark Luster, Key West
“One of the more creative and innovative ideas ever to address automobile congestion in Key West. Cutting it would be pound foolish…”
Here’s more comments customers gave us in our January story.
The County Needs to Get More Involved With Transit, Not Less
The discontinuation of Conch Connect is a step backward for Monroe County, and a major loss of momentum at a time when we urgently need progress. The County hasn’t been doing its fair share to support and improve services like the Lower Keys Shuttle and Workforce Express, which lack the frequency needed for real utility.
Residents and workers increasingly live and work in more spread-out places that cross jurisdictional lines. That demands collaboration between the County, the City, and Key West Transit to build a system that’s frequent, reliable, and affordable—especially for workers burdened by soaring rents and the high costs of car ownership.
As Paul Menta said, housing and transportation are the two critical pillars of a thriving community. Our leaders must get creative, invest in public transit, and seriously consider using our ever-growing pool of TDC and visitor tax money to support these programs.
The vision for a seamless, easy-to-understand, and well-coordinated countywide transit system is not just ideal—it’s essential. It’s the kind of infrastructure that eases traffic, reduces parking conflicts, improves air quality, and helps local Mom & Pop businesses thrive.
Conch Connect wasn’t just a pilot—it was a step toward that vision. Rolling it back leaves us not only without a service, but without a strategy. We’re not just back at square one—we’re undoing the very progress residents and workers have been counting on.
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Chris Hamilton is the founder of Friends of Car-Free Key West & Duval Street/Historic Downtown, a local advocacy group championing sustainable mobility and vibrant public spaces. Subscribe to the blog and follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Substack for updates. All stories are cross posted at KONK Life News. Originally from Washington, D.C., Chris spent over two decades leading nationally acclaimed initiatives in transit, biking, walking, and smart growth for Arlington County, VA’s DOT. Since moving to Key West in 2015, he has embraced a car-free lifestyle downtown, dedicating his time to non-profits and community projects. Explore all Streets for People column articles here.
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Just proof that Monroe County doesn’t care at all about the working class that bankroll the Keys economy. This was an affordable & safe means of transportation. For them to pull it makes a huge statement of how their greed supersedes the people of the County. I bet they didn’t take any salary cuts in their budget. Time to vote these idiots out.