City

Hitch a ride on The Squeeze, Citrus Connection’s free downtown service

Hop on a golf cart for a ride that’s “Fast, Frequent, and Fun.”

March 26, 2024 • 
Connor Jacobson
A sign on a streetlight post reads "The Squeeze, board here" with a scannable QR code to see the schedule. A tree-covered downtown Lakeland street is in the background.

Look for these signs around downtown Lakeland to find a stop near you.

Photo by LALtoday

If you’re heading into downtown Lakeland for a lunch meeting or community event, you might spend more time searching for a parking spot than usual. That’s where The Squeeze comes in.

This shuttle service from Citrus Connection aims to be “fast, frequent, and fun.” The Squeeze has offered fare-free rides throughout downtown Lakeland on weekends since 2022, and it’s recently added weekday lunch hour service with quicker routes.

An eight-seat golf cart used by The Squeeze service sits in a parking lot entrance. It has a digital sign across the front of the roof and an orange logo on the hood.

The service is free to riders thanks to funding from the City of Lakeland.

Photo by LALtoday

The Squeeze is available on Fridays, 4-11 p.m., and on Saturdays, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4 p.m.-11 p.m. Hop on at one of 12 boarding points, including stops near the RP Funding Center, Florida Southern College, and Lake Mirror. Golf carts can hold up to seven riders and hit each stop every ~20 minutes.

The Lunch Squeeze runs Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. This service is more of an express route, offering fewer stops and quicker rides. Carts run from The Joinery to The Squeeze Park & Ride (at the corner of South Tennessee Avenue and East Walnut Street).

A partial map of The Squeeze route near Lake Morton.

This is just part of The Squeeze’s weekend coverage — see the full route.

Map from Citrus Connection

You can also find The Squeeze operating during special events. In the past, it’s been available during Mayfaire by-the-Lake, the Lake Mirror Classic car show, food truck rallies, and downtown night markets.

Ready to ride? Here are a few pro tips before you leave your keys and ride The Squeeze:

  • Save our downtown parking guide to find more places to park before heading to your boarding point.
  • Check the full routes for weekday and weekend service.
  • Let your driver know your destination so you can hop off at a safe + convenient stop.
  • There’s a “super-stop” at the corner of East Lemon Street and South Kentucky Avenue within walking distance of most downtown points of interest.