Martin County, Florida, faced an unexpected loss of public‑transit service on Thursday when MARTY, the county’s bus system, ceased operations without prior notice. The sudden shutdown left dozens of riders, many of whom rely on the service for work, medical appointments and grocery trips, without a reliable transportation option.
Contract dispute triggers termination
County officials told WPBF that the operator, Martin County Transit LLC, had asked for a substantial increase to its contract, citing higher insurance premiums, fuel prices and maintenance expenses since it began running MARTY in July 2025. Negotiations between the county and the operator failed to produce an agreement.
According to the county, the operator provided a 180‑day termination notice about two weeks ago. Yet on Thursday morning the company abruptly informed officials that it was ending service immediately, leaving riders stranded.
County response and next steps
Assistant County Administrator George Stokus said the county is exploring both short‑term and long‑term options to restore service. “We are doing everything we can humanly do right now to restore service as soon as we can,” Stokus said. “It’s just not an easy operation or switch to turn it back on. It’s going to take some time, and we are working to get to that.”
The county is coordinating with community partners, including United Way, to provide interim assistance to residents affected by the shutdown. Officials have pledged to keep the public informed through social‑media updates and will issue a timeline once a viable solution is identified.
Riders feel the impact
Long‑time rider Leticia Chaclan, a resident of Stuart, described the bus as a lifeline for many in the Hispanic community who do not hold driver’s licenses. “We really need the bus,” she said. “It’s very necessary, and we use the bus a lot. I don’t drive, and I need it to get to the clinic, the hospital and to shop.”
Another commuter, Steven Godell, was forced to ride his bicycle after the bus failed to arrive. “It’s crazy, but I will move on and do something different,” he remarked.
Looking ahead
County leaders emphasized that restoring MARTY service is a priority, but the process will require careful budgeting and possibly a new contract that reflects the rising costs of operating a transit system in today’s economy. The county has not yet set a definitive date for when MARTY might resume, but officials assure residents that a solution is actively being pursued.
For ongoing updates, Martin County residents are encouraged to follow the county’s official social‑media channels and sign up for email alerts.
Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.
