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Dunedin to let Freebie Looper pilot expire; staff to notify chamber and merchants
Summary
After a staff presentation showing roughly 30,030 riders since Nov. 2, 2023 and unsuccessful grant applications, the Dunedin commission signaled consensus to allow the Freebie Looper contract to expire and to notify local businesses and the chamber before the end of the pilot.
Staff presented a year‑and‑a‑half summary of the Freebie Looper pilot and sought direction on whether to extend the contract. Kathy Gadamer, project manager in community development, said the service had about 30,030 total riders from Nov. 2, 2023 through October, with a roughly 50/50 split between app‑booked trips and flag‑down rides. Ridership rose after the commission approved a May 21, 2025 expansion that added a flex (on‑demand) boundary to connect residential areas to the downtown core.
Gadamer said staff applied for three grants to help cover operating costs — a public transit service program (requested a 50% match for three years at $657,000), a TD Bank/terrible foundation request for one year of staffing ($219,000) and a small‑town T‑Mobile grant (~$50,000) — and none of the applications were approved. Advertising revenue was minimal (an example figure of $1,367 was cited).
Commissioners discussed whether the service delivered demonstrable business benefits. Staff cited a business‑survey result showing 36.6% of businesses reported a positive impact from the Freebie Looper while about 60.1% reported no impact or were unsure. Commissioners also noted the pilot had been supported initially with ARPA funds that are no longer available; continuing the program would come from the general fund.
Given limited grant success, low advertising revenue and mixed business awareness, commissioners concluded the pilot was a luxury the city can’t sustain from the general fund at this time. The city manager and staff were directed to notify the Chamber of Commerce and district merchants immediately and to return to the commission with any feedback; staff indicated letting the contract lapse for a day or two before returning with a final report would be operationally manageable.
Next steps: staff will contact Freebie, the Chamber and local merchants and will report back to the commission at the Dec. 18 meeting if outreach identifies compelling new reasons to re‑initiate the contract.
