Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Transit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges stronger evaluation before proposed fare increase to Sarasota’s on-demand transit program
Summary
A transit-dependent rider told commissioners the county lacks customer-satisfaction and service-delay data for its on‑demand transit program and asked that a methodologically sound evaluation be completed before staff presents fare increases at a March 27 budget workshop.
A Sarasota County resident told the Board of County Commissioners on March 11 the county should publish an independent, methodologically sound evaluation of its on‑demand transit program before any proposed fare increases are adopted.
Barry Zamoff, who identified himself as transportation disadvantaged, said he could not find data on customer satisfaction, average wait times between booking and vehicle arrival, or whether transit staff had conducted rider or driver focus groups. He said the public should have access to that evaluative information before fare changes are considered at a March 27 budget workshop.
Zamoff described a situation he said occurs under the current reservation system: when a rider calls to request a ride for a second passenger who also qualifies for the Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) reduced fare, the system reportedly does not apply the discount for the companion. Transit staff’s reply, Zamoff said, was to suggest the pair hang up and make a separate booking on a separate line, which could result in separate vehicles and delays. Zamoff said this is problematic for trips to medical appointments.
He urged commissioners to withhold approval of fare increases until staff provides robust program evaluation data. Transit staff present at the meeting told speakers the fare issue will be discussed during the March 27 budget workshop; no decision on fares was made at the March 11 meeting.
No formal board action was taken. The commission’s public record shows transit staff plan to discuss fare proposals and related program evaluation at an upcoming budget workshop.
