BRADENTON, FL – Manatee County soon will become much closer for many travelers.

Starting April 1, Manatee County Area Transit will begin the Skyway ConneXion, an express service bus route on weekdays. This is the first time in MCAT history it will provide service across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The idea for the new route began last fall when MCAT began using a full-size MCAT bus to transport veterans to the C.W. Bill Young VA Hospital in Bay Pines, said MCAT manager Bill Steele. Since the previous paratransit VA service was already part of MCAT's operating budget, the new ConneXion route will operate with no additional cost.

"Veterans will be able to continue to receive medical transportation to the VA and we'll be filling a void in regional connectivity that will benefit the general public," Steele said. "We're using existing resources, so there are no additional costs. It's really a win-win-win proposition." The fare to go over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is $5 for one way and $10 for a round trip. Passengers can purchase a $10 one-day unlimited pass for all MCAT local routes and the Skyway ConneXion route. Riders can also purchase a $3 fare for express service within either county. The $5 ConneXion fare is the same fare veterans currently pay for rides to Bay Pines.

The seven-stop express service will feature four stops daily, two northbound and two southbound, Monday through Friday. Beginning in Bradenton, the stops will be: Manatee County

Desoto Station/U.S. Highway 301

Bradenton Downtown Station

Palmetto Station/Eighth Avenue Pinellas County

34th Street/50th Avenue South

First Avenue South / 3rth Street South

68th Street North/Tyrone Boulevard Northbound

C.W. Bill Young VA Hospital For more information on MCAT, visit their website at www.mymantee.org/mycat.

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